What is Kuleshov Effect in Editing?

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Kuleshov Effect is a film editing effect that was demonstrated by the Soviet filmmaker Lev Kuleshov in between 1910 to 1920s.

It is a mental phenomenon by which the viewers conclude more meaning from two sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation.

Through three different shots of -

a) Bowl of Soup

b) A woman in a coffin

c) A woman on a divan

Along with the above three shots, a simultaneous consistent shot of the face of Russian Tsarist matinee idol Ivan Mesjoukine was placed, which created different perception of the meaning or emotion behind the shots in the mind of the audience and hence The Birth of Kuleshov Effect took place.

To know more about the steps involved in the execution Kuleshov effect, and its impact on the audience's understanding of the scene read our article The Birth of Kuleshov Effect