Overlapping Action (Overlapping Editing)

Overlapping Action (also called ‘overlapping editing’) is an expansion of time. It is done by intercutting a series of shots. Or, by filming the action from different angles and editing them together. In this way, part or all of an action may be repeated from another perspective.

Since this cinematic device strongly disrupts the audience’s sense of time, it is commonly associated with experimental filmmaking. However, it can be used more unobtrusively to stretch time or to embellish the time of a certain movement for dramatic effect. In such cases, overlapping action is then often combined with slow motion.