Kuleshov Effect & Visual Interface
Victor Kuleshov studied the psychological and narrative impact of adjacent sequential imagery. Modern editing techniques capitalize on this visual phenomenon with what is commonly referred to as the Kuleshov Effect. His experimental films demonstrated that contiguous or contrasting images could substantially change the perceived performance and meaning of a filmic sequence.
I’m currently exploring how Kuleshov’s concept may translate to the subjects, participants, and characters in my thesis. Below are three visual comps that investigate, in David Lynch’s words, the “immersive and illusionary world” I’m attempting to create. In this case the “world” is a dark and magical booth interior with layered graphical elements (visible in the pepper’s ghost interface).
Composition #1 (above) shows the subject surrounded by visual elements that represent various themes/behaviors. In this case the thematic iconography may “slide” in and out of the frame from the edges. This visual organization may exist for the participant in the Q&A session(s).
Composition #2 (above) is a similar organization with the subject’s color saturation set to zero. This potentially helps merge the participant with his graphical world/context. A dynamic approach to such an effect could also provide a visual and/or emotional arc to the sequence.
Composition #3 (above) enhances the immersive quality of the visuals through light manipulation. As related iconography appears the lighting in the booth would be manipulated. This technique would visually imply that the graphic elements share the same space and emit colored light that is cast on the subject. I’m fascinated with this concept as it suggests “real world” physical properties to a visually augmented “virtual” space. Manipulating coloration/light as a function of they system (i.e. MAX/MSP) would offer a similar effect without permanently altering the captured video.