The Bad Sleep Well (1960) - The Geometry of a Scene

Every Frame a Painting
2 HN recommenders · recommended in 2 months, 2020–2025
YouTube
964K views · 11 years ago · essay · evergreen

An Every Frame a Painting video essay on how Akira Kurosawa uses the geometry of a scene in The Bad Sleep Well (1960). It looks at how placing actors and shapes in the frame tells the story.

HN people recommend the channel as very good film commentary, and this video as a clear explanation of using space and composition in film.

“I don't normally recommend YouTube channels for film commentary, but this channel is very good indeed.”
Visual storytelling & cinematographyLayout, grids & composition
#everyframeapainting#kurosawa#composition#framing#filmanalysis

2 comments from Hacker News

k
@keiferski2025 · in “How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)”
I was comparing Keaton to a modern film that has people talking back and forth without any interesting use of space on film. This video explains it well: ▶ this video A lot of Keaton’s gags and shots are similar.
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D
@Daub2020 · in “Akira Kurosawa’s hand-painted storyboards”
If you havne't already done so, check out the wonderful commentary by 'Every Frame a Painting': link (Composing Movement) ▶ this video (The Geometry of a Scene) I don't normally recommend YouTube channels for film commentary, but this channel is very good indeed.
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