Prelap

Prelap is a screenwriting and film editing term that describes when the audience is introduced to a nonvisual aspect of a scene, such as a sound or line of dialogue, before the cut to the scene. It is related to the J cut and the sound bridge.[citation needed]

In screenplays

In a screenplay, a prelap is typically marked in the dialogue line of the character speaking, as in the following example:[citation needed]

ADRIAN (V.O., PRELAP)
Peter?  Peter, where are you?

EXT. THE WOODS – DAY

Adrian is out looking for Peter.  
We see him wander around in the small forest.

ADRIAN
Peter?  Hello?  Are you there?

In this example, Adrian's voice precedes the scene out in the woods. The "V.O." means "Voice Over" and the "PRELAP" indicates that Adrian's dialogue should be heard before the next scene begins. The character speaking might not be in the scene at the time of the prelap.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "How To Create Cinema's Invisible Transition, the Pre-Lap". Retrieved 2026-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)