Montage / Lesson 1 / The Cut

Lesson Overview

One of the oldest examples of montage editing is called the “Kuleshov Effect.” This experiment demonstrated cinema’s unique capacity as an art form to conjure emotional reactions from the relationship between indexical images.

You will use this cornerstone of editing as your first VJ’ing exercise, eliciting different responses and correlations by strategically ordering content. Finally, you will experiment with different ‘soundtracks’ to greater influence emotion and meaning.

Lecture Videos

1. The Cut: History and basic concepts.

(The Cut Lecture Video)

2. The Cut: Using VDMX

(The Cut Demonstration Video)

Lecture Notes

(The Cut Lecture Slides)

Reference Links

• The Kuleshov Effect
• Hitchcock explains montage and Kuleshov
• Ed Wood on making a movie from stock footage
• Filmmaking 101: Camera Shot Types

Resources

• Kuleshov Example Clips
• Freesound.org
• YouTube Royalty Free Library
• BlackHole (BlackHole replaces Soundflower; also note that VDMX6 can receive audio streams directly from other applications)

Related Tutorials and Case Studies

• Using the Simple Player template
• Case study: The ECLECTIC METHOD REMIX, Part One - Making Loops

Homework

Assignments

1. Record a set of 5-second Kuleshov-esque clips using your iPhone or prefered camera. The subject (face) should remain neutral, while the objects of its gaze should vary in content, to achieve three distinct, emotive responses. For instance:

• Flower (beauty/awe)
• Lonely puppy (sadness)
• Computer screen (stress/daze)

2. Convert (HAP) and import media into VDMX using Kuleshov template. Separate by Pages in the Media Bins (object/subject).

• Toggle between the face and an object every four seconds, using key controls or clock-time
• Apply an effect to the Main Output to unify the varying content (destaturate, tint, etc)
• Record/import two soundtracks for contrasting emotive effect (i.e., dramatic vs silly) using audio capture from another application (either using direct capture in VDMX6, or using virtual audio drivers like Blackhole)

3. Record three, 25-45 second “Kuleshov” mixes using the Movie Recorder:

• Silent
• Soundtrack 1 (dramatic)
• Soundtrack 2 (silly)

Lesson Review & Further Reading

1. Introduction to Montage

• What is montage?
• Soviet montage theory

2. The Kuleshov Effect

• What is The Kuleshov Effect?
• How can 'found footage' be used to create visuals by using The Kuleshov Effect?

3. The Shot and the Language of Film

• What is the learned Language of Film?
• What are some common types of shots in film / video?
• • Establishing shot
• • Long shot, medium shot, close up, extreme close up