What is Juxtaposition in Film — How to Take Visual Storytelling to the Next Level

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What is juxtaposition in film — A storyteller’s guide to the myriad of ways to use juxtaposition in film, including imagery, sound design, and editing.

What is a Juxtaposition? ►►
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Juxtaposition
00:50 - Juxtaposition Defined
03:04 - Chapter 1: Mise En Scène
08:09 - Chapter 2: Sound & Music
13:03 - Chapter 3: Editing
17:30 - Takeaways

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WHAT IS JUXTAPOSITION IN FILM

Juxtaposition is such a common technique in art, it’s easy to miss it. But the artists who have mastered the art of juxtaposition understand how to communicate their ideas on a more sophisticated level. In this video, we’re going to break down the many ways a filmmaker can use juxtaposition in film, including the imagery, the sounds, and the editing.

WHAT IS JUXTAPOSITION

Juxtaposition is the process of placing two or more things together in order to invoke their similarities and/or differences. This helps define the relationship between things, but it also conjures up more intellectual or philosophical ideas about them. One of the most iconic examples of juxtaposition in literature is the opening to Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” and it goes on from there. By pairing up these disparate ideas, Dickens paints a layered and complicated picture.

JUXTAPOSITION IN FILM — MISE-EN-SCENE

There are many ways to use juxtaposition in film. We can start with the broad category of mise-en-scene, which includes elements such as color, costume, props, set design, lighting, and even composition. These are visual elements that can be combined to create ideas and meaning greater than the sum of their parts.

JUXTAPOSITION IN FILM — SOUND & MUSIC

On the soundtrack, there are even more options. For example, the opening title sequence for The Shining has peaceful and idyllic landscapes paired with music that inspires dread. The juxtaposition of sound and image, then, creates an unsettling mood. Dialogue can also be paired with imagery that seem to contradict each other. In the opening for Trainspotting, Renton’s voiceover implores the viewer to choose life and many other comforts of the civilized world — all while he evades the police chasing him after a robbery.

JUXTAPOSITION IN FILM — EDITING

Editing is another fantastic way to create juxtaposition in film. As we know from the Kuleshov Effect, cutting from one thing to another creates a relationship between them. So, in Rocky IV, when we see how Rocky trains versus how Drago trains, we understand their dynamics, we establish the odds against our protagonist, and we build each fighter’s characterization at the same time.


#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

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♬ SONGS USED:

“Singing In The Rain” by Gene Kelly
“Aegeus“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“A Neverending Beam of Light“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Blood Trails“ by Carter Burwell
“Axe Schlomo“ by Marco Beltrami
“Fairytale“ by Harry Greyson-Williams, John Powell
“Beautiful New World“ by Danny Elfman
“Choke“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Collapse“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Only Fire“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“The Wanderer“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“We’ll Meet Again“ by Vera Lynn
“Main Title from The Shining“ by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind
“Stuck in the Middle with You“ by Stealers Wheel
“Lust for Life“ by Iggy Pop
“The Slough Pit of Creation“ by Carter Burwell
“Discovery“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Los Paramos“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“The Peephole“ by Bernard Hermann
“Thor Ragnarok Main Theme“ by Mark Mothersbaugh
“Twisted Nerve“ by Bernard Hermann
“Moonphase IV“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Quantum IV“ by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Crush“ by Makeup and Vanity Set

Music by Artlist ►
Music by Artgrid ►
Music by Soundstripe ►
Music by MusicBed ►

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