pre-lap. Cool. First time I've heard that expression although the technique is common. Purpose, IMO, is to smooth the transition between scenes and also add some pizazz to the narrative. Scott, what are other techniques that can be used to smooth the transition between scenes? How about a contest, best techniques for same?

77kart: Funny you ask that as I'm developing an SMC 1-week Craft course called Narrative Techniques which include some tricks of the trade for transitions.

Here's another one: Visual-to-visual. For example, at the end of one scene, a woman stares down at a bathtub filling with water. At the beginning of the next scene, you start with bubbling water of a hot tub. You see these type of editorial transitions all the time.

My favorite visual-to-visual is from "A Christmas Story". At the end of one scene, we see a closeup of the toilet that younger brother Randy is about to use. In the next scene, we begin with a closeup of the pot in which the mom is making dinner.