Cutsthat

Cutsthat is an informal term used in online video editing communities to describe a sequence or style built almost entirely from rapid cuts intended to control pacing and energy. The concept is not standardized, and definitions can vary between editors and platforms. In many usages, a cutsthat sequence features very short shot durations, often a fraction of a second to about a half-second, with cuts that emphasize rhythm over smooth transitions.

Characteristics often associated with cutsthat editing include a high density of cuts, deliberate abruptness, and a focus on the cut itself as a storytelling instrument. Shots may alternate based on action, contrast, or compositional similarity, sometimes intentionally breaking continuity to heighten tempo. The technique is common in action-focused reels, trailer-like edits, and humorous montages, where timing and punchlines hinge on the moment of each cut.

Cutsthat is often discussed in relation to but distinct from jump cuts and traditional montage. Unlike some jump cuts that acknowledge time gaps within a single scene, cutsthat sequences tend to use rapid alternation of different shots to generate momentum, sometimes with a music track driving the pace. The approach has educational value in teaching rhythm editing, tempo, and audience engagement, though it can be fatiguing if overused.

Historically, the idea aligns with broader trends in fast-cut editing seen in music videos and action trailers. Its prominence is tied to digital editing tools and short-form platforms where rapid pacing is both feasible and desirable. See also montage, rhythm editing, jump cut, continuity editing.