The video loop is the fundamental unit of live visual performance, replacing the single-shot timeline of cinema

In cinema, shots appear once in a linear sequence — their presentation time equals their duration. In live cinema, clips are looped: a 10-second clip may play for minutes. This fundamentally changes the relationship between material and time. Makela introduces ‘presentation time’ (how long a visual element is visible to the audience) as distinct from clip duration. The endless loop — designed so the start and end are visually seamless — maximises presentation time without revealing the repetition. Strategies for endless loops include: movement-based continuity (camera in motion), still-camera with object exiting/entering frame, and forward-then-reverse playback. Understanding looping is essential to managing a performance’s material library efficiently.

Examples

A 10-second landscape clip looped seamlessly for 90 seconds using a reverse-play trick. Hexstatic/Coldcut video scratching sessions built entirely from carefully prepared loops.

Assessment

Design a 15-second video clip intended to loop endlessly for a live performance. Describe the shooting technique or editing decision that makes the loop seamless.