A J-cut is an editing technique where the audio from the next clip begins playing before its video appears, creating a smooth audio lead-in.
The J-cut gets its name from the shape it creates on the timeline: the audio track of the incoming clip extends to the left, forming a "J" shape beneath the outgoing video. This means the viewer hears dialogue, music, or ambient sound from the next scene while still watching the current one. It is one of the most widely used techniques in both narrative filmmaking and documentary editing.
J-cuts create a natural, flowing feel between scenes. For example, in an interview edit, you might hear the next speaker begin answering a question while still showing the previous speaker nodding. This avoids jarring, mechanical cuts and keeps the audience engaged. In narrative work, hearing a character's voice before seeing them builds anticipation and smooths scene transitions.
This technique is particularly valuable in corporate and marketing videos where maintaining viewer attention is critical. A well-executed J-cut prevents the "slideshow" feeling that can occur when every cut is perfectly synchronized between audio and video, making the final product feel polished and cinematic.
A cut is the most basic edit in video production — an instantaneous transition from one clip to the next with no visual effect between them.
An L-cut is an editing technique where the audio from the current clip continues playing after the video has transitioned to the next shot.
The timeline is the primary workspace in a video editor where clips, audio, effects, and transitions are arranged sequentially to build a project.