The Kuleshov Experiment was conducted in the early 20th century by Russian filmmaker Lev Kuleshov. It demonstrated that viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots rather than a single shot alone. Known as the Kuleshov Effect, it showed how facial expressions and body language can take on different meanings depending on the context provided by subsequent shots. Filmmakers now widely use this technique to influence how audiences interpret characters and scenes.

1. The Kuleshov Experiment
Done by Shaun Hardwick

2. About the Kuleshov
Experiment “The Kuleshov Effect is a film editing (montage) effect
demonstrated by Russian filmmaker Lev Kuleshov in the 1910s
and 1920s. It is a mental phenomenon by which viewers
derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential
shots than from a single shot in isolation.”
Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuleshov_Effect
This is used a lot in today’s films as its used to show different
meanings of facial expressions on characters and body
language. As it shows how different reactions can be different
when using them in films. Like the character will have a
different reaction when looking at someone or something in a
‘18’ film whereas they will whole different reaction in a ‘PG’
film as they’re looking at the same thing.

7. What have I learnt from this task?
I have learnt how ‘light’ can be added to scenes to shine light upon characters and
objects and gives them an extra effect/characteristic. This has allow me to
experiment with lightning as this could be allowed by ‘natural’ light sources such as
sunlight shining upon characters or objects during the day time or the use of ‘human-made’
light sources such as torches or lamps. As a result, this experiment with
lightning has given me some inspiration ideas of how to applied lightning to my
scenes in my own thriller that I will produce. Such as applying lightning to specific
parts in the thriller like shining light upon character’s faces creating them an extra
characteristic to their character. And using ‘natural’ light sources to shine light during
filming of the thriller (most parts like when filming outside) instead of using ‘human-made’
light sources as this can be use when filming parts inside buildings as light
sources may not be stronger to shine light upon the characters or objects. In the
example, my team has used lightning in dark areas can be shown and how lightning is
used in non-dark areas.