every frame a painting
Here's Why Blockbuster Superhero Movies All Sound the Same
High notes mean be sad, goofy music means laugh. But there's a reason big budget movies echo each other.
The Challenge of Explaining How to Edit Movies
"Do or do not, there is no try," is as relevant to editing as lifting starships with space magic.
Here's the Secret to the Coen Brothers' Masterful Dialogue
Step 1: Be really, really, incredibly good at editing.
Why Buster Keaton's the OG of Physical Comedy
What do Jackie Chan, Wes Anderson, and Bill Murray all have in common? The influence of Buster Keaton.
This City Might Be the Most Overlooked Background Actor in the World
Tony Zhou guides viewers through the many faces of Vancouver.
Storytelling 101 from the Work of Looney Tunes Director Chuck Jones
Tony Zhou explains how Chuck Jones went from being a good storyteller to a legendary storyteller in his latest film essay.
How to Tell a Story with a Chair
An inside look at how the Coen Brothers, Francis Ford Coppola, and more augment their films with furniture.
Composing Kurosawa: an Exploration of Movement in the Movies of a Master
Film essayist Tony Zhou launches his exploration into cinematic kinematics, 'Akira Kurosawa - Composing Movement.'
Kurosawa's Geometry Comes Alive in This Short Cinematic Essay
Film essayist Tony Zhou breaks down the killer choreography of Akira Kurosawa's 'The Bad Sleep Well.'
Explore The Subtleties Of David Fincher's Direction In This Cinematic Breakdown
Whether or not you're a fan of David Fincher, any artist can learn a lot from Tony Zhou's breakdown of the 'Gone Girl' director's filmmaking genius.