Splicing and Cutting

Film Splicing

Technically this isn't video editing, it's film editing. But it is worth a mention as it was the first way to edit moving pictures and conceptually it forms the basis of all video editing.

Traditionally, film is edited by cutting into small sections of the film and rearranging or discarding them once finished. The process is incredibly straightforward and mechanical and theory a film could be edited with a pair of scissors and some splicing tape, although in reality a splicing machine is the only practical solution to get the job done properly. A splicing machine allows film footage to be lined up and held in place while it is cut or spliced together.

A film splicer (also called a film joiner, usually in Europe) is a device which can be used to physically join together lengths of photographic film. It is mostly used in film motion pictures. The units are made in various types depending on the usage: Single-8, Super 8 film, 16mm, 9,5 mm,35mm and 70mm. Used in film editing to make a cut (transition).

Cutting

In the post-production process of film editing and video editing, a cut is an abrupt, but usually trivial film transition from one sequence to another. It is synonymous with the term edit, though "edit" can imply any number of transitions or effects.