a special effect that shows action in two different places at the same time. Often used with a wipe (see editing techniques in filmmaking), e.g. a man is on the phone in Potchefstroom, a wipe introduces a woman on the phone from the left (in Singapore), the split screen shows woman (left) and man (right) on the phone at the same time, another wipe removes the man on the right so the woman is seen putting the phone down and continuing with whatever it is she does next.