Definition of smash in

The phrase "smash in" is a construction term used in the film and television industry to describe a technique employed during post-production editing. The term "smash in" is derived from the film editing term "smash cut," which is used to describe a quick and abrupt cut between two scenes without any transition. In film editing, a "smash cut" is visually shocking as it creates an immediate contrast between the two scenes. In contrast, the term "smash in" is used to describe the technique of cutting from one shot directly into a different shot without any gap or transition. The terminology "smash in" is similar to the concept of overlaying one shot onto another, but it is more specific and refers to a specific editing technique. The phrase "smash in" is a shortened version of "smash-dissolve in" which refers to the use of a dissolve, a transition effect, to smoothly blend two different shots together. By shortening this phrase to "smash in," editors can save time in the editing process and streamline their workflow. However, sometimes "smash in" is also used as a substitute for "match cut" or "connected cut," which are other post-production techniques involving dissimilar-looking images that are sequenced together. The use of "smash in" instead of these terminologies is more common in the United States, as the term has been adopted by the post-production industries in this region for many years. In summary, the phrase "smash in" is an essential part of the film and television editing vocabulary, especially in post-production. Its origin and meaning are rooted in the film editing method, specifically the "smash cut," and it has evolved over time to simplify the editing process in the industry.