cut-in

Deverbal from cut in.

cut-in (plural cut-ins)

1. (film) A section of film inserted into another sequence.
   • 1916, Carl Charlton, How to Write Photoplays, page 23:

     Inasmuch as leaders and cut-ins use up film a foot to a word, they should be resorted to only when absolutely necessary. For the producer has sufficient expense in his company and plant, without adding to it in film for cut-ins and leaders.

2. (video games, by extension) A visual sequence focusing on a character's face or body while they perform a special move.
3. The situation where the performer of a musical work receives royalties for each performance, despite not having composed it.
   • 2012, Gary Rosen, Unfair to Genius: The Strange and Litigious Career of Ira B. Arnstein, page 138:

     "My collaborators are having their convention in Cleveland this week," was the rueful joke among real songwriters who were seeing their royalties diluted by cut-ins.

   • 1994, Kerry Segrave, Payola in the Music Industry: A History, 1880-1991, page 21:

     One group was understandably upset by all the royalty cut-ins — the songwriters.

• incut, tunic