Parallel Editing

Parallel Editing is a recognisable film editing technique where the audience is given the illusion that two different events are taking places right at the same time as each other. The technique is achieved to create a sense of tension for audiences to feel as the vents start to unfold with each other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_I82117oAw

In this scene from The Godfather, multiple assassinations are taking place in various different locations. At the same time, a christening is taking place.

These completely contrasting types of events take the audience's interest by creating the ironic juxtaposition of how despite Michael professes to renounces the devil  while all of the murders he has ordered all take place at roughly the same time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts1x6uADFtM

This scene from the Silence of The Lambs is an interesting take on the Parallel Editing technique. The two scenes include the film's opposing forces, Buffalo Bill, and FBI Director Jack Crawford.

In Buffalo Bill's scene, we see that he has taken a woman hostage in his house, while Crawford's scene focuses on a house raid with the FBI. We are given the impression that the FBI are raiding the house that Buffalo Bill is in, but they instead raid a completely empty home.

Back in Buffalo Bill's scene, FBI trainee Clarice Starling questions Bill at the doorstep about the people she is looking for; this is the point in which Crawford realises how much danger Starling is in but cannot warn her of it.

The tension that is built up is kept going upon the audience's realisation of what is really happening within these two events, which are conventionally supposed to culminate into one climactic end to the two scenes.

Parallel Editing is a useful technique which is best used in more tense scenes to build up audience anticipation, which would fit in very well in an action film, or a thriller.