HOME ABOUT LOGIN CURRENT ISSUE PAST ISSUES ANNOUNCEMENTS BOARD OPEN APPARATUS BOOKS Home > No 7 (2018) > Ruszev Rhythmic Trajectories - Visualizing Cinematic Rhythm in Film Sequences Szilvia Ruszev Abstract Rhythmic Trajectories is a series of short études set to accentuate, visually and sonically, rhythmic elements of speciﾕc ﾕlm sequences. As a ﾕlm editor and researcher, I am interested in revealing and visually expressing cinematic rhythm. I am following hereby Karen Pearlman’s idea stating that “the functions of rhythm are to create cycles of tension and release and to synchronize the spectator’s physical, emotional, and cognitive ﾖuctuations with the rhythms of the ﾕlm.” (Pearlman 2009: 61) These are the rhythmic trajectories that constitute a sensuous, kinesthetic knowledge about a ﾕlm. In my work, I am interested in visualizing these trajectories, adding a layer of a visual ‘close reading’ to the given ﾕlm sequence while preserving the original sequence. My research project is situated at the intersection of information visualization, digital humanities, and artistic practice and follows a mixed method approach. The essay consists of two visualizations and a written part that is meant to highlight the research questions, to situate the research within the diàerent ﾕelds and to provide insight into the creative process of developing the ﾕrst two visualizations. The ﾕrst étude uses a sequence from the short documentary Wagah (Supriyo Sen, 2009, Germany/India), edited by the author, showing the bizarre choreography of the ﾖag- lowering ceremony on the Indian-Pakistani border. The video essay examines how rhythm can be built out of diàerent elements such as sound and movement, colour, graphical structures, cuts, etc. The rhythmical structure has been deconstructed and formalized to reach an abstract notation and to represent a movement. The second étude focuses on the rhythm of gestures using a scene from the ﾕlm A Woman Under the Inﾖuence (John Cassavetes, 1974, USA), edited by David Armstrong, showing the main lead, Gena Rowlands, wildly gesticulating during a ﾕght with her husband in the ﾕlm, Peter Falk. This is a ‘close-up’ of the gestures that are deﾕning and leading the conversation. Using a similar visualization method, gestures are transposed into colourful meandering lines. Keywords John Cassavetes; Szilvia Ruszev; Supriyo Sen; Editing; rhythm; movement; gesture; visualization; artistic research. Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Film Visualization Film Visualization Film Visualization Film Visualization Film Visualization Cinematic Rhythm Cinematic Rhythm Cinematic Rhythm Cinematic Rhythm Cinematic Rhythm Arts and Research Arts and Research Arts and Research Arts and Research Arts and Research Methodology Methodology Methodology Methodology Methodology ÉTUDE I ÉTUDE I ÉTUDE I ÉTUDE I ÉTUDE I ÉTUDE II ÉTUDE II ÉTUDE II ÉTUDE II ÉTUDE II