Nevada Film Office

Production Notes: Parallel Editing

Production Notes: Parallel Editing

What Is Parallel Editing?

Parallel editing refers to a continuity editing technique that illustrates how two or more events are related and occurring simultaneously. This is achieved by alternating between the scenes.

In film history, the first example of parallel editing being used is in the 1903 short Western The Great Train Robbery (source). Written, directed, and produced by American film pioneer Edwin S. Porter, The Great Train Robbery was a huge success and considered groundbreaking in employing the technique of parallel editing to show action-filled scenes happening simultaneously in different locations.


Watch ‘The Great Train Robbery’ and learn more about editing techniques used in the film at archive.org


In The Godfather, parallel editing is used in the baptism scene to emphasize the contrast between Michael Corleone’s promise to renounce Satan and the series of murders carried out in his family’s name.

Watch the scene below:

The Baptism Murders – The Godfather (8/9) Movie CLIP (1972) HD” by Movieclips

If you are looking for editors for your next project, check out our online Nevada Production Directory to find experienced Nevada production crew and support services or drop by our office and pick up a free printed directory!

If you offer production and film-related services in Nevada and are not yet listed in our Production Directory, you can learn more about how to sign up for the NPD here.

Exit mobile version