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Flat-Line Cuts

What are Flat-Line Cuts?
Edits lacking energy or punch, resulting in a flat pacing.

How to Spot Flat-Line CutsUniform cut lengths with no variation.

  • Audience “dropping off” during playback—low engagement.

Causes of Flat-Line Cuts

  • Over-reliance on straight cuts without rhythm.
  • Ignoring action/beats in the footage or soundtrack.

Fixes for Flat-Line Cuts

  • Vary clip durations: mix quick cuts (1–3 sec) with medium moments (5–8 sec).
  • Cut on action or beat: align transitions to movement or audio markers.
  • Use J- and L-cuts to maintain audio continuity and dynamic flow.
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