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Editing

Kuleshov Effect

A film editing effect demonstrating that viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation.

In Depth

Lev Kuleshov showed a shot of an actor with a neutral expression. When followed by a bowl of soup, audiences said he looked hungry. When followed by a coffin, they said he looked sad. It proves that editing creates emotional context.

Example

"Alfred Hitchcock's famous demonstration of how a smile usually looks kind, but looks creepy if the next shot is a baby."