Four acts in fifteen seconds
The reference cut is short, but it is a complete story. Here is what happens to your two faces.
0 to 3 s
The aim
Photo 2 fills the frame: shaking hands, a loaded gun, tears that won't stop.
3 to 7.5 s
The turn
The door opens and Photo 1 walks in. One snap zoom later, the close-up shows what they've become.
7.5 to 12 s
The break
Finger on the trigger. A scream instead of a shot.
12 to 15 s
The embrace
The gun comes down, eyes close, arms open. Love wins the last frame.