8.4M views · Nov 21, 2015 · 8:35 · 3 HN recommenders · 3 mentions · discussed 2019–2025
An Every Frame a Painting video essay on Buster Keaton's visual comedy, examining how he built and framed his gags. It uses clips from his silent films to show the thinking behind them.
Why Hacker News points people here: Recommended as a short, excellent analysis of Keaton and visual comedy.
“a great Every Frame a Painting film essay on his work”HN comment, 2025
“has an excellent short piece on Buster Keaton covering some similar themes”
Short essay on Keaton's gags and camera framing
The Every Frame a Painting channel on YouTube has an excellent short piece on Buster Keaton covering some similar themes, but with more of a focus on camera frames than architecture: this video
“They give and explain some great examples from different movies.”
Examples of visual comedy in film, Keaton's gags
Reminds me of some of the videos from Every Frame a Painting about visual comedy in film. Specifically "Edgar Wright - How to Do Visual Comedy" [1] and "Buster Keaton - The Art of the Gag" [2]. They give and explain some great examples from different movies. [1] link [2] this video
“a great Every Frame a Painting film essay on his work”
Film essay on Keaton's innovative stunts and gags
Video of some of his better stunts: link And a great Every Frame a Painting film essay on his work: this video He was truly an innovator that makes today’s “films of people talking to each other” look amateurish. A few months ago the local theatre was playing Sherlock Jr. with a live band, and it was awesome. Try to see it in similar circumstances if possible.
