Cross-Cutting/Parallel Editing (Technique)

Many modern day films have a secondary storyline progressing alongside the primary storyline. For example there could be a serial killer attempting to kill someone, and police working at the same time trying to catch the serial killer, the scenes of the two scenarios will be intercut, this is referred to as cross cutting or parallel cutting.

Cutting back and forth between two or more storylines allows the interest of the audience will be heightened due to the fact that there is contrast between the storylines. Parallel can also be implemented to add suspense within the film.

The clip above is an example of parallel editing from the film The Silence of the Lambs (1991). In which Buffalo Bill (the serial killer) is being chased by the FBI throughout, however rather than just show one side of the story, the film makers have chosen to show both sides of the story so the audience can understand each side of the story. During the clip above, there is a shot in which an FBI agent rings the bell of a house, the following shot is an alarm that is shown to be from where Buffalo Bill is. This gives the viewers the impression that the FBI are in fact ringing the bell for Buffalo Bill's home. However once the shot is shown in which he opens the door, it is revealed that the FBI are at a different house and the person that rang the bell is an FBI agent who is alone. This sequence of shots creates suspense from the audience as the viewers are expecting the FBI to kill Buffalo Bill or Buffalo Bill to shoot at the FBI.