Gegenschnitte

Gegenschnitte, a German term literally translating to "counter-cut" or "reverse cut," is a fundamental editing technique in filmmaking. It refers to the practice of alternating shots from two different subjects or locations within a single scene, typically to establish a conversation or interaction between them. This technique is commonly used in dialogue scenes to show the perspective of each speaker, allowing the audience to follow the flow of the conversation and understand who is speaking and to whom.

The primary function of gegenschnitte is to create a sense of continuity and spatial relationship between characters who are not in the same physical frame. By cutting back and forth between close-ups of each person, the editor creates the illusion that they are looking at each other and engaging in a direct exchange. This method helps to maintain audience engagement by varying the visual perspective and preventing the scene from becoming static. It also allows for the pacing of the dialogue to be controlled, emphasizing certain lines or reactions by the duration of the shot. The classic example is a two-shot conversation where the camera cuts from one character's face to the other's, creating a dynamic back-and-forth rhythm.