Since (1966) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A meta-fictional reenactment of the JFK assassination exploring role-playing, media repetition, and avant-garde performance.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Meta Setup & First Reenactment

Ondine introduces the Oswald model and role-playing rules. The cast attempts the first assassination with bananas and red paper, establishing the film's experimental tone.

Key Events

• Meta Opening & Role Setup — Ondine introduces the Oswald model and role-playing premise. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: TV Studio Set
• Assassin Hiring Announcement — Ondine declares his intention to hire assassins for the reenactment. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: TV Studio Set
• First Assassination Attempt — Malanga shoots Woronov/Superstar with a banana, missing the mark. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Motorcade Set
• Speech & Transition — Ondine reads a speech to the American people, shifting tone. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson Location: TV Studio Set
• Slow Motion Restaging — The assassination is replayed in slow motion with zoomed-in blood. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Motorcade Set
• Role Reassignment to Lady Bird — Ondine instructs Superstar to play Lady Bird Johnson, criticizing her focus. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson Location: TV Studio Set

Role Reassignment & Interrogation

Directorial intervention shifts Superstar to Lady Bird Johnson. Secret Service agents critique the lack of trauma, forcing a slow-motion restaging and role swap.

Key Events

• Role Reassignment to Lady Bird — Ondine instructs Superstar to play Lady Bird Johnson, criticizing her focus. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson Location: TV Studio Set
• War on Poverty Discussion — Superstar suggests omitting poverty and paranoia from the narrative. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson Location: TV Studio Set
• Kennedy's Death Declaration — Ondine confirms Kennedy's death as a man in a red shirt lies in blood. Location: Hospital/Studio Set
• Secret Service Interrogation — Agents tell the assassins their performance lacked trauma and must be redone. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Passageway
• Oswald & Ruby Role Swap — Cutrone plays Oswald, Malanga plays Ruby, and shoots him with a banana. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set
• Press & Slow Motion Announcement — Reporters swarm Cutrone; a voice announces the slow-motion version. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set

Second Reel Chaos & Beatdown

The narrative descends into surreal backstage conflict. Inflatable Baby Ruth bars are delivered, leading to a blurred beatdown sequence that breaks the fourth wall.

Key Events

• Press & Slow Motion Announcement — Reporters swarm Cutrone; a voice announces the slow-motion version. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set
• Second Reel Waving — Cast waves to camera; Ondine mentions Neiman Marcus. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson Location: Studio Set
• Motorcade Top Debate — Participants discuss lowering the car top before the shooting occurs. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson Location: Motorcade Set
• Second Assassination Execution — Oswald shoots Kennedy; camera focuses on red paper and stockings. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Motorcade Set
• First Lady Praise & Insults — Ondine praises Bottomly, insults others, and argues with Nicholson. Characters: Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson Location: Studio Set
• Baby Ruth Delivery & Chaos — Malanga and Cutrone drop inflatable bars on performers, causing confusion. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set

Presidential Coronation & Sign-off

Ondine assumes the presidency as the film concludes. A final press conference and whip-cracking scene resolve the meta-narrative with resigned irony.

Key Events

• Baby Ruth Delivery & Chaos — Malanga and Cutrone drop inflatable bars on performers, causing confusion. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set
• Blurred Beatdown — Camera blurs as Malanga and Cutrone beat participants with the bars. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set
• Prison Transfer Announcement — Voice announces Oswald's transfer; assassins appear with whips. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set
• Presidential Coronation — Malanga congratulates Ondine on becoming president. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set
• Final Press Conference — Ondine imitates Murrow for sign-off while Malanga cracks a whip. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set
• High Request & Whip Cracking — Malanga asks Ondine for drugs while walking the set with a whip. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set
• Final Baby Ruth Kick — Cutrone kicks the inflatable bar into the air as the film ends. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald/Jack Ruby Location: Studio Set

Story Breakdown

• Meta Narrative Setup — Establishes the film's experimental framework and role-playing rules.
  • Oswald Model Intro — Voiceover explains the tape replay structure.
  • Role Assumption Rules — Performers are free to switch roles by choice.
• Assassination Planning — Characters prepare for the historical reenactment.
  • Hiring Assassins — Ondine announces the need for hired killers.
  • Location Confusion — Malanga forgets the exact street for the event.
• First Reenactment — The initial attempt to stage the shooting.
  • Banana Shooting — Malanga shoots Woronov with a banana.
  • Red Paper Blood — Camera zooms in on crumpled red paper.
• Role Reassignment — Directorial intervention shifts character portrayals.
  • Lady Bird Transition — Superstar is told to play the new First Lady.
  • Poverty Omission — Superstar suggests removing poverty from the script.
• Secret Service Interrogation — Agents critique the lack of emotional impact.
  • Trauma Critique — Agents demand a more shocking performance.
  • Slow Motion Replay — The scene is restaged with slowed pacing.
• Oswald & Ruby Swap — Assassins switch historical roles for the second take.
  • Cutrone as Oswald — Cutrone portrays the original assassin.
  • Malanga as Ruby — Malanga plays Ruby and shoots Cutrone.
• Second Reel Chaos — The narrative descends into surreal backstage conflict.
  • Baby Ruth Delivery — Inflatable candy bars are dropped on cast.
  • Beatdown Sequence — Assassins beat performers with the inflatable bars.
• Presidential Coronation — Ondine assumes the presidency as the film concludes.
  • Murrow Sign-off — Ondine imitates Edward R. Murrow for closing.
  • Final Kick Ending — Cutrone kicks the Baby Ruth bar as credits roll.

Directed by

Andy Warhol

Key Cast

• Ondine — Lyndon B. Johnson
• Ingrid Superstar — Jacqueline Kennedy/Lady Bird Johnson
• Susan Bottomly — Jacqueline Kennedy
• Mary Woronov — John F. Kennedy
• Richard Rheem — John Connally