Drive (2011) - The Quadrant System

One of the many pleasures of Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive” (2011) is that the shots feel both tightly composed and weirdly unpredictable. Even though most of the images follow a simple quadrant system, Refn puts plenty of subtle touches within the frame. Let’s take a look.
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Music:
Desire - “Under Your Spell"
Help us caption & translate this video!
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[@deathbastardable]

The two sides of the screen telling different stories made my jaw drop just now.

[@Brahim0801]

deathbastardable yeah like u watched the novie 3 fucking times and i didnt realise it

[@Big_Dai]

Stories? Not really. It certainly shows different things.. but the scenes are not complex enough to tell a real story in a few frames. Details might be a more appropriate word.

[@alessandrot.2777]

@@Big_Dai Indeed. It seems people think this composition method is some kind of big deal, but it's actually a basic one. Besides, the movie was shot this way to convey a feeling, not to suggest overthinking of every single frame.

[@foljs5858]

@@Big_Dai Woosh... stories here means they each side of the screen focuses on a different person. In the pedantic sense even the full scene doesn't tell a story, it's just two people exiting an elevator and getting in their apartments.

[@tminustech]

@@alessandrot.2777 I use this video as an example of overanalyzing basic film making principles to trick people into thinking its far more deeper than it is. All it really shows is that the movie used good composition and blocking. It's been done in other movies over and over. The Quadrant system is entirely made up and not an actual principle of film making. Hell, refn has used those methods in his earliest works and plenty of filmmakers before him have done it as well. The thing is people are not used to movies being shot like that anymore. Everything now is a simple single subject(subjects) or actions being displayed or shots are so quickly cut between subjects that there is little room to have extra actions going on when you cut away as soon as the principle action is over. When the general movie goer is confronted with this sort of perspective they tend to feel their minds "blown" and attach themselves to it. In reality you have probably noticed it before but you consciously didn't realize it and most movies don't really do it because it takes time and effort and generally isn't useful for spectacle.

[@Soniti1324]

I would literally pay you money to do a full feature analysis of Drive. That movie is positively rife with cinematographical prowess, and after seeing videos like yours, I realize just how much I lack the eyes to see it. Seriously, I would fund that in a heartbeat.

[@miga3191]

+Soniti1324 This is one movie I am kicking myself for not seeing in the cinema.

[@meinerHeld]

That movie changed my life.

[@pakman5391]

Check out Chris Stuckmann's analysis. He goes into the movie really in depth

[@elmer4090]

Usually movies make you want to be the main character. Drive makes you want to be a director

[@meinerHeld]

Elmer M speak for yourself : ]

[@ChaseMurphyMusic]

We watched this movie in my Art & History of the Motion Picture class today, and I told my professor about your video on the quadrant system. Turns out he is just as big of a fan of your channel as I am. We spent a half hour after the movie geeking out about your video and I think we got the rest of the class really interested. So thank you. What you do really means a lot to me, and this is by far my favorite educational recourse when it comes to filmmaking.

[@LightYagami-wt1jw]

That's awesome

[@chimedemon]

Man I miss him 😔

[@theonygard5694]

@@chimedemon I am sorry. Who?

[@SonofChristen]

@@theonygard5694 He probably means he misses this channel since he has stopped uploading videos

[@theonygard5694]

@@SonofChristen Oh okay i see. Thank you!

[@alexgreenough8695]

This movie is just a bloody masterpiece

[@DarrenSemotiuk]

ROFL! Yes, especially the SECOND HALF. Bloody...

[@zohivkhan8225]

Yes 💯

[@HumanCapybara]

That last scene in the elevator is fucking magical. That composition is so simple yet so compelling. aaaaaaa

[@user-ly2er2mb2g]

All I can say is that Tony keeps me under his spell

[@amdhd6990]

i watched drive for the soundtrack. i wasn't dissapointed

[@MagnoVJ10]

+Samuel Fabiny Yeah, after watching it I found the plot of the movie to be very weak but I still liked it and I kinda didn't understand why. Now I do, not only the soundtrack but this movie is beautifully shot and has a very good atmosphere.

[@JackgarPrime]

+MagnoVJ10 I would say, in a movie like drive, the plot is secondary. perhaps even tertiary. And I wouldn't be surprised if that was intentional. As the plot is fairly simple, that allows the director to focus on the more "direct" aspects of the film. Lighting, composition, and what have you. And it may even have freed up the actors, as well. There isn't an abundance of dialog in the film, so the actors are able to really deliver through their physical performances.

[@6drk6mrc6]

+Samuel Fabiny Haven't watch it, but if I would it would be for Carey Mulligan.

[@amdhd6990]

HermesTrimegistus yeah, she's really cute

[@mrfrelancekiller]

+JackgarPrime Yes Drive is a prime example of "it's not so much the story you tell, but how you tell it." -Alfred Hitchcock. Indeed you can take the most generic, over used narrative you can think of but if you tell it the right way, it could be the greatest story ever told. The plot never has to be complex, many of the greatest movie's ever made(Citizen Kane, TGTBATU, Seven Samurai, etc.) had simplistic plots, and there's no arguing their ability of storytelling. To me Drive is ultimately a film about loneliness, violence and different individuals responses to it, and severe disconnect from both humanity and reality, and the director was able to explore these themes masterfully. In fact I have never heard a valid criticism for this masterpiece, as unfortunately "it's boring" or "I hate Ryan Gosling the only reason he gets work is because he's hot" are neither true nor respectable criticisms. What a generation of philistines we've produced.

[@kasperrds6968]

The kissing scene in the elevator is the best scene in cinematic history if you ask me. The way they glide to the wall, shadowing the light and thereby darkening everything around them in a grace of pure silence and romance between two characters and then BAM the scene turns on it's head and becomes evil, loud and violent as Driver beats the hitman to pulp while Irene stares by in disbelief and shock. That scene captivates the whole story. How Driver had to sacrifice his love for Irene to safe her. Amazing how one scene can encapture the entire story in a few moments of genious filmmaking. LOVE IT!!!

[@drewthomas1534]

I'm still blown away by how beautiful this film is every time I see it.

[@sherlocked1054]

I remember exiting the theatre after seeing Drive and realising that movies . . . they mattered. As a writer I'm more familiar with deciphering what a script is trying to express - but I must say that it is a genuine pleasure to experience an editor's clear and enlightening perspective on this method of storytelling. It makes it all the more special when it concerns a movie which I hold most dear. As always Tony, your standards, even in a neat, three minute slot, are impeccable. See you next video.

[@Piotrboukaieff]

I'm french and i just want to say : thanks for the subtile !!!

[@AgungHapsah]

Very helpful as always. I wish I had your ability to pay attention to details and analyze it's deeper meanings.

[@lowlowseesee]

its a muscle. its been eight years hopefully you have acquired the tools

[@OfficialDevTips]

Amazing Tony. Thank you for for helping a layman see the beautiful subtleties of this artform. For me, this is better than watching the actual film.

[@DSLRguide]

another solid video with lots of takeaways!

[@BenMensah]

Great channel man, love your stuff.

[@aeshaeshaesh]

GAH, I can't wait fot the next video. Is there any way to support you? This has seriously turned out to be my favourite youtube channel. As a film composer I've really come to appreciate these in-depth looks on cinematography. You sir, are awesome!

[@everyframeapainting]

Nils F. Lindberg Check the links in the video description. I'm on Patreon.

[@aeshaeshaesh]

Yay =)

[@unev]

+Ali K why not try to make something similar on your own?

[@unev]

Try Mckee's "story" and "Sculpting in time" by Tarkovsky. But don't hesitate for too long trying to put all that knowledge under your belt prior first steps, since it's about mastering tools, not memorizing all the rules.

[@JeremyWernli]

+Ali K It's excellent that you are studying. But if you are thinking of become a visual storyteller, espcially a filmmaker, know this: Growing as a filmmaker has to be both intrinsic and extrinsic. Cultivate your roots while you cultivate the tree trunk and branches. Start shooting now, film a tree, a flower, a child. Use a camera phone, still camera. Heck, drawl on paper, and tell a story with stills, frame by frame. Just start telling a visual story now, if you really want to grow, don't wait and study. Study and film at the same time, that's how you will maximize on your growth. Collaborate as soon as possible, and have people critique what you've done, don't be too precious with your work, making mistakes=growth. I wished someone would of told me this. Cheers!

[@Shilag]

I'm actually really enjoying these mini-videos. Instead of an expansive look of a movie/director, you can just focus on a small topic or one scene. I like it.

[@skinnyindonesian24]

Your KZbin Channel is amazing. Love from Indonesia.

[@skyblueerik]

This is such a great movie.

[@LucasStoten1]

Oh how brilliant. The hallway scene, when deconstructed like that, is just genius.

[@treasonouspigeonpeckers957]

This gives me a whole new appreciation for Drive

[@pixel_spy5302]

i always thought this was a beautiful movie, i never really knew why and most of my friends never agreed with me and claimed it was boring and awkward but just the way it was shot was so different and odd from anything else ive seen I enjoyed it. Im glad you pointed a lot of this out, it kind of helps me understand why some parts of the movie "clicked with me so well.

[@lowlowseesee]

any friends that front on this movie, cant be trusted about movies.

[@oldboy65637]

That's interesting. I learned something similar in photography called "the rule of thirds," which was described to me as "if things fall into one of three sections (separated by two vertical lines), then it looks better for some reason." It never really made sense why it was "thirds" instead of, say, this, but i guess the point of it was less the divisions, and more that you aren't just using one side of the frame for the whole movie, and distributing info/telling the story or relationships through where you place them. It's nice to have it explained like this, so that i can actually, y'know, understand how to apply it. thanks for the video!

[@outlanderfrog]

The rule of thirds is used in filmmaking as well. Composition is still composition, except in the case of film it moves, and keeps recomposing itself! :)

[@john-alanpascoe5848]

If you divide your composition into three both vertically and horizontally you will have for intersections where your dividing lines cross. Each of those intersections will correspond to one of the quadrants mentioned here (just roughly off-centre, note the characters are also never centred in the quadrants here). The main point of the rule of thirds is that just sticking your focus slap-bang in the centre of your composition is (usually) rather boring.

[@djnekroman]

Man, I've been thinking that I needed to re-watch Drive soon, and this video just reaffirms that thought.

[@FernandoGonzalez-ho2ep]

All you videos are awesome. You changed my way to see movies and series. Thanks

[@sirasto]

I miss this channel so much :( So much quality and classy video.

[@floraposteschild4184]

2:57 Ha! Just noticed that Albert Brooks has a Star of David on the door behind him. He and his partner Ron Perlman are Jewish gangsters.

[@ticktock2162]

Wow, if that's on purpose it's an incredible touch.

[@dustinmcnees2097]

I've watched the movie a dozen times, and it wasn't until the last time I watched it (about a month ago) that I noticed the Star of David in that scene. It was absolutely intentional, and I feel foolish that I never noticed it before!

[@sampepper8799]

James-Lachlan McCallum what do you mean if? how do you imagine that thats an accident? i think youre looking at movies wrong if youre not sure when something like this was intentional or not

[@nnefariousjack]

Not only quadrants, but color and music in this movie are masterful.

[@hobogotmojo6626]

rewatched Drive after finding this video. loved it even more. thank you!

[@gibson1005]

the best kissing scene in cinema in my opinion

[@feliciaf8]

+gibson1005 one of the best XD

[@catjustine10]

he's becoming a part of her frame :)

[@BlueSpirit422]

gibson1005 I haven't seen the movie but there is something so sensual in that scene!

[@AngelRamirezgoogleprofile]

@@BlueSpirit422 You should see it if you still haven't. What follows immediately after is so sexy...

[@cehennemkusu6208]

I'd also put Ivan's Childhood to this.

[@Aefire1]

This has to be one of my favorite videos ever. I've always loved Drive, but couldn't put my finger on why. This kind of blew me away. Keep up the amazing work.

[@peterhickey590]

I watched drive for the first time the other night - It will be one of those movies that will stay with me forever. Great Channel and Keep up the good work

[@masonbrown9155]

Did you go to film school or something? And i still say that this is the best channel on youtube.

[@masonbrown9155]

***** Jesus Mason! You just popped out of nowhere! You scared the shit out of me!

[@gc3k]

even taking a film class as a college elective makes watching movies more enjoyable (and you stop making a fool of yourself by simply focusing on basic nonsense like "plot holes" or "bad directing")

[@gc3k]

I learned more fundamental concepts in a few months from a film class, than years on the Internet reading clumps of text from dim-witted indie snobs. The information is on the Internet, but you have to know what to look for, and the information could hide in plain sight until someone smart tells you what you need to know

[@masonbrown9155]

David Curry good advice, but if one wants to go into filmmaking (writing/directing) is it really necessary to go to film school? I get that if you want to be a cinematographer or an editor that it's necisarry but what about just writing/direction?

[@masonbrown9155]

***** Thanks for the info man!

[@nevzatruhierylmaz3048]

Maybe not the most viewed channel, but definitely one of the most refined and informative one on youtube. Great job Tony, well done. Excellent presentation and very informative.

[@haaxeu6501]

Can't believe this video is 8 years old. I remember watching it when I was in high school and it help awake a love of cinema.

[@elmer4090]

Each frame of this movie could hang in a museum. It's such a stunningly beautiful movie, truly every frame a painting

[@karni60]

I've found my next KZbin channel! Many hours are going to go into it. Thank you

[@AxelReigns]

Two videos in one week? What is this sorcery?

[@TheIrishWolfAviator]

Every once and a while I come back to watch this video again. Thank you for introducing me to my favorite movie and cinematography. Hope you're well Taylor and Tony.

[@mp-ku8tz]

Drive blows me away every time I see it. Genuinely one of the greatest films ever and something just so perfectly beautiful about it. Thanks for helping me to understand it with greater clarity

[@CZsWorld]

I'm excited to see what he does with Neon Demon.

[@Nicholaskcl]

Hope you enjoyed it bruh

[@rorrt]

Its funny, i kind of did notice this while watching the film. But i suppose coming from a photography background i just put this down to rule of 3rds. But taking the party scene, i always interpreted him standing in the left, and the exit sign top right. Both things are paid as much screen space as each other. He wants to exit, she wants to exit, but neither can.

[@wy4553]

Holy shit. I have to rewatch this movie right now. Really loved this breakdown, it made me think about composition in a totally different way. Please do more of these!

[@MrDinocks]

My favourite film. For a whole day after watching this I would reply in one-word sentences without realizing, just like Ryan Gosling in this film. You gotta admit, he's one of the coolest characters we've seen in films.

[@mojisolashabi]

I am in a Creativelive chat room and some how your channel came up and this is the first video I have watched. My jaw is on the floor. This was amazingly educational and useful and just freaking awesome. Thank you!!!

[@QuincyHarleyJr]

Impressive! I've been studying this lately. It's awesome to think (and see) how he subtle lines influence the film. It also makes me appreciate the work that goes into staging and filmcraft, all the more.

[@Spaztar]

You have an impressive amount of insight into the medium of film. In all of your videos that I've watched, I've been able to notice on my own some of the things that you bring up, but you always manage to make me look at things from a different perspective. You're clearly a very passionate and perceptive person, and I think that you honestly put out some of the best content on this website. Keep up the great work.

[@ecthox-1mork909]

Interesting exploration of the film's use of quadrant, and extra codes such as the shadow cast by the Love Rival. I also liked the presentation with the demonstration via the first scene of how the quadrant isn't easily noticed, and the further examples of quadrant shots such as the top-left to bottom-right cut from the driver onto the woman. :)

[@CaptnLenox]

WOW! Drive is one of my favorite movies and this made me appreciate it that much more!

[@jmanrobot]

I love the analysis of composition you do with this film. After watching "Drive", from your analysis, I proceeded to watch it once more, and after the second viewing, I realized what I loved so much about the film. The absence of sound and dialogue. The way that the film lets the simple scenes of immersiveness through the characters getting to know each other. Are there long conversations between the male lead and female lead? No. Does the main character have to have an inner dialogue to show his emotions about his evolution of his character of the film? No. The director lets the silence speak. Instead of focusing on the script, he focuses on the visual narrative. "You wanna see something?" the kid says, just before taking them into the river banks and skipping stones with her and her son. After that, a whole construct of connection between the characters occurs. A montage of hanging out by the river and smiles being thrown between the two. I would love for you to make a video showing how human body language and simple shots of establishment can hold more words then the actors saying them. This film is a lovely example.

[@guguigugu]

tl;dr - show, don't tell :)

[@razzberri1406]

Literally watching this in film production class. Keep making good shit man

[@lauralai9694]

Similar to the over 1,000 people who made comments to this video, I'm also a cinema lover: I love the cinema as an art, the way it tells a story, and I'm fascinated by the way the film shots contribute to storytelling. I notice when subjects are left-right, top-bottom, but thanks to this educational video, I learned that this is called the 'quadrant system.' Thanks for uploading the video! Thanks for teaching me a technical (film) term. Keep up the great work! :-)

[@benhrkach]

I remember watching Drive and being interested by how visual it was instead of having people talk more often to explain certain things. Thanks again, Tony! Your videos are an absolute joy to watch!

[@lisazoria2709]

Your videos are so inspiring! I love how you bring up these things in movies which I might have missed, because although they may be "small" things, they're so telling, and important. You're great at uncovering the layers, and extra dimensions of filmmaking, which helps me rethink how I watch movies.

[@IanConnel]

Awesome work. There are so many lousy movie analysis channels, but yours is not one of them.

[@florentdevier]

I discovered this channel recently. For being an autodidact director this is so helpful. I also just realized that at the end of the corridor scene, the shadow of the husband materialize the whole scene which is basically "i'm watching you pal" as it seems to be looking at the character 2:41

[@roxanne4820]

Drive is SUCH an underrated film. Also great analysis, definitely subcribed.

[@swapnilkarmakar7473]

I wish I could subscribe twice.

[@LoLHowTo]

Another video? Aww yiss

[@PINGPONGROCKSBRAH]

I know, right? I feel spoiled.

[@thesuperstarmemoirs]

This is so good! Drive is one of my favourite films, and this is one of my favourite KZbin channels!

[@aestheticworm4045]

Refn is one of my favorite director. I saw all of his movies at least twice, but this quadrant system is new for me and now every frame, sequence and even tunes in my head are getting another meanings... really thanks for that! Maybe its time to take another Pusher/Bronson/Drive marathon :D

[@MrFahrenheit2k]

I love this channel so much! Keep doing the good work. No amount of "funny" reviewers will ever replace what you're doing.

[@KeshArt]

As a person who grew up studying the films of the 80s and 90s, i was wondering where do you start on watching such classics and finding the works of influential filmmakers. I'm eager to learn but just don't know where to start.

[@JamieSmith-kh4er]

did you learn?

[@spicy110]

Tony keep doing what you are doing and I bet you will him 1m sub's before the end of the year! These videos are that good!

[@iagovillarinocoto3441]

My favourite KZbin channel analyzing my favourite movie. Man,this is like a dream come true.

[@darkinstinctful123]

Bro, I can watch your videos all day. Keep up the good work! :D

[@DSC24]

I'd love to see you do any sort of video on John Wick.

[@gianlucagiordimaina8794]

He kind of did with the Jackie Chan one. In terms of filmmaking the most you can really praise is john wicks action scenes. Action and reaction being in the same frame, as Tony said in the Jackie Chan one

[@subscribe6320]

Gianluca Giordimaina well, because everything else about this movie is dumbfoundingly stupid and sucks in my opinion. #nuancedcriticism

[@hameed]

Yea. Do one on all the CGI. CGI muzzle flare, cgi blood. LOL

[@karlzone2]

Regardless of what people might think of it, I believe that John Wick turned out EXACTLY like the filmmakers wanted it to. That alone is worth a lot of praise. Additionally the action is truly beautiful.

[@rlywhocares]

didn't like it at all. had huge expectations but it's boring & predictable & stupid in places

[@danielmannandersen2332]

Also I really liked the color palette Refn used in this film, but wow that video just makes the movie even more well done :D

[@Revivalgunzz]

I think this is my favorite video of yours, it's simple, yet very elegantly explained and presented which leaves room for a sort of DIY (which is the whole point of teaching something) and not just interpretation, and so it has a seeding quality to it. I've gotten a lot of ideas from this video.

[@heidiannemorris]

Really enjoyed that Tony, thank you. I've only just discovered Every Frame a Painting ♥ and now I just have to watch that movie! Looking forward to your next instalment :D

[@mandobrando]

Watching this series makes we wonder if all this composition is intentional on the directors part, or if it's something subconscious they did or stumbled upon.

[@JBailey889]

+Brandon Keller I have always wondered this too and as an independent filmmaker and cinematographer I've found it's a combination. Sometimes you frame a shot because you like it without realising why and only later discover it's because of Quadrants (or other techniques). Other times you actively try to do it.

[@skimpoppy]

It does make one wonder; however, I always come back to the following dictum: A theory of analysis (such as psychoanalytic, semiotic, marxist, theological etc.) is not good because it describes the intentions of an artist, but because it describes his work. (And preferably also why we like/dislike this work). Which is further to say, in an analysis, we should not be primarily interested in whether Refn intended these effects, but be interested in whether the theory fits the material.

[@subroy7123]

This was Tony's reply to someone who asked a similar question: "Refn is a very specific about his compositions. In interviews, he's stated that he always composes the bottom of the frame first, then uses that to build the top. Drive is full of every compositional technique in the book; I just picked this one to focus on. Do I think he was walking around with a quadrant in his hand, checking every shot? God no. But he's an experienced artist: he's internalized all of this. What I am saying is that there's a pattern in his style, and it lines up pretty well to the quadrant system. I'm also saying that he finds ways to insert subtle storytelling details through this compositional system."

[@djdedan]

Most likely both, it's like that shit they say in kung fu movies... once you have mastered something you have forgotten it... it sounds corn but i compare it to learning how to walk (or ride a bike)... do you know how you walk??? probably not, i mean you can walk but the dynamics the subtle change of weight, the control falling, is all something you have forgotten, you just do it... sounds like some zen shit i know, but i love the concept of mastery and have noticed that when you do master something it is almost by definition subconsciously embedded in your being... so go out there and learn to forget!

[@LordJagd]

I recently made a short film and didn't realize until editing it that for the entire film up until a decisive moment at the middle the protagonist is facing the left. It isn't until they begin going down a path against their nature that they face and move to the right. The only other time they face the left is when they are directly referencing their old ways. I was aware of the importance of lateral movement in film but I didn't plan to use it this way. So I agree that it's both. The old saying is: It's all theory until you do it'; but as far as compositional techniques go it helps a lot to know as much theory as you can to "guide your hand."

[@marco.nascimento]

This video still amazes me, with such a concise analysis. I miss this channel so much

[@MrAnuraag77]

8 years later, this video taught me more than any other stuff I've looked at. I wish Tony Zhou just kept making these gems ❤❤❤❤ @everyframeapainting

[@bossyvich]

I get so excited whenever I see one of your videos in my feed. Keep up the great work, I'll be sure to support your patreon when I get the chance.

[@JoshJackson]

Any day Tony uploads a new video is a good day. :D

[@theprototypeguy]

Holy shit i had not noticed this before. That's mindblowing!

[@kayinoue2497]

Is it bad that I spent most of this video actually kind of amazed by the lighting choices in each scene, especially in the 2nd hallway scene and in the elevator scene at the end? Very dramatic but also very natural.

[@patrickhebdo5423]

I love Drive so much! This is my favorite video from you, not just because it made me more inspired for my own films, not just the incredibly useful information on the composition of a shot, but the music paces this video perfectly, and as it ends and the music gets louder and ends on a magnificent note. It leaves me so inspired! I've always used to have a hard time grasping how shots should look with shapes and grids, and this helped me out so much!

[@RichardJohnsonFarukh]

I would love to hear your thoughts on Birdman. The story may not appeal to everyone, but I was blown away by how smooth the transitions were and the overall cinematography. The lighting, reflections, camera movement were simply fantastic!

[@EdLau]

As someone that loves movies and cinematography, I can't get enough of this stuff. You gotta do Kubrick or Christopher Nolan. And...are there any other channels doing something similar? This is great learning material.

[@Dattyification]

I doubt he would do Nolan. He doesn't like him.

[@JonnyDoLake]

You should check kogonada's channel on Vimeo, although his videos are slightly diferent form this. vimeo.com/kogonada/videos

[@EdLau]

Dattyification Doesn't mean he can't do Nolan. I mean..."Bayhem"?

[@GunPornHD]

Nolan's cinematography, framing, blocking, is pretty much standardized and not terribly interesting or remarkable to say the least.

[@ItsSomeDeadGuy]

***** Not in The Prestige.

[@srpaz8292]

I saw this video god knows how many times, yet every time for some reason I end up back here, I'm blown away once more.

[@Daruqe]

It's so dense, every single image has so many things going on.

[@siddiqsmouse5004]

That's was educational.

[@animeshmishra876]

I love this channel

[@jmcclary4941]

This blew my mind - you reveal things in a movie that I never noticed... every single time. Wow.

[@dayyng]

Your channel is absolutely fantastic. A real gem, thanks for the work you put in over those years.

[@listenherejack]

REAL HUMAN BEAN

[@MegaLoquendo2000]

AND A REAL WEABOO

[@thedarkknight9032]

and a real HERO

[@TheMightyPika]

The quadrant system is also vital for comic artists.

[@theDarkness558]

I miss this channel so much...

[@joemachrom]

Thank you so much for your insights and contributions, your work is giving me an entire new perspective on how I view films and video compositions.

[@ChrisGT122]

Please don't stop making videos

[@eun0ia]

I actually disagree with your rational to the framing of these images. Instead I think it's his use of the golden ratio and the spiral that acts as a trail for the eye. He uses timing and motion within a shot to help dictate how the viewer is navigates the scene, circling through the composition to focal points. Even within the shots you used, there's a repetition within increasing smaller objects, A picture within the mirror on the wall for example. In the car shots you see his face blurred out, then in a spiraling pattern you follow the sets of lights back to the reflection of his face in the mirror. Over and over again he uses teh golden ratio as a framing technique to dictate the intended focus, and often time that cues you into what kind of interaction is occurring. The way each scene has balanced composition even with actors being off center or action occurring in a seemingly unbalanced way. I think the spiral even acts as a metaphor for the general tone of the movies escalation.

[@DucatiKozak]

eun0ia Well perceived! Fibonacci himself would be proud.

[@adamsagehorn3520]

Great counterpoint, observable and keeping with the films tone and theme.

[@everyframeapainting]

eun0ia He actually uses just about every compositional technique in the book: golden mean, rule of thirds, leading lines, negative space, frame-within-a-frame, etc. At a certain point I was like... well, I'm not going to do a 20 minute video, so I'm just going with the quadrant thing, because I like what he did in the hallway scene. If you or anybody else would like to do a video about the golden mean in this film, I'll gladly watch it. It's definitely there, too.

[@tigerija]

Exactly the same opinion here. It is still enoyable to listen this guy trying to explain things. But I do think that way he is explaining it it sounds like he is comming with some random explanation he just placed there. If we would have some proof from director... To me it seems like author of this video is just wrong (wrong assumption). It does look like director is using golden ratio a lot, for most of the stuff.

[@karlzone2]

Usually I would say that you are overthinking it, but with Refn I believe you are actually correct with every single point and theory. It's all been thought through.

[@whorepet]

This channel was pure fucking gold

[@osdarviperez9180]

i thought that it was impossible for me to love drive (2011) more, but guess what? you made me do it. a masterpiece

[@ImprovingAbility]

was this the one epic kiss every girl is dreaming of?

[@BollocksUtwat]

+Feldenkrais with Alfons _Is that brain matter on your heel or are you just glad to see me?_

[@floraposteschild4184]

+Feldenkrais with Alfons I'd prefer that SPOILER he didn't stomp someone to death immediately afterwards, but generally, yes.

[@Jman42576]

Ok, three questions: 1. Is he implying that this is a regular thing in movies and that the director intentionally framed all of his shots to give this subtle effect? Or is he simply speculating? 2. How does this guy even come up with this stuff in his mind? Did he study film or something? 3. Why isn't he worried about copyright strikes with the song?

[@everyframeapainting]

1. Refn is a very specific about his compositions. In interviews, he's stated that he always composes the bottom of the frame first, then uses that to build the top. Drive is full of every compositional technique in the book; I just picked this one to focus on. Do I think he was walking around with a quadrant in his hand, checking every shot? God no. But he's an experienced artist: he's internalized all of this. What I am saying is that there's a pattern in his style, and it lines up pretty well to the quadrant system. I'm also saying that he finds ways to insert subtle storytelling details through this compositional system. I leave it up to you to decide whether I'm full of shit or not. 2. I am an editor. I stare at hours and hours and hours of footage from people who shoot it. I have to make split-second decisions on what does and doesn't go into the finished edit. While most of my individual decisions are instinctual, like Refn, I've internalized certain things. My eye prefers certain types of images over other types, and I favor different shots for different reasons (both narrative & aesthetic). Go talk to anybody who's studied a craft for a long time; they'll tell you the same. We don't walk around shouting "quadrant! rule of thirds! golden mean!" but when we see something, it's pleasing to our eyes. If we stare at it for 30 seconds, we can usually figure out why. This video is me staring at Drive to see what appeals to me (and to Refn). 3. Yeah, fair use.

[@Jman42576]

Every Frame a Painting Interesting. I wasn't being dubious or anything (if it came off that way). I was just intrigued, because I've seen drive countless times, and I knew it was a beautifully shot film, but I never knew how deep it actually went.

[@mrdeadhead]

James oooo these are things you can find in everything that's designed, which is why these videos are great! and i mean everything. the masterful use of some visual element that might fully immerse you in a character's journey in an excellent feature-length film, might be the same tool that McDonald's uses in their 30-second ads to try and get you fully immersed in chicken nuggets. though I think you can decide for yourself if one uses it better or more tastefully than the other haha

[@guguigugu]

James keep staring at more beautiful movies and you'll notice how deep they go as well. i laugh at people who call movies like Drive boring. those people seem to have zero appreciation for visual art of any kind. the beauty of the world seems to completely escape them. must be such a bleak existence.

[@vishnu2407]

+James Refn has described himself as a fetishist, keeping only what he wants and loves within each shot. So I don't think this is speculation at all. I noticed the left-right dynamic, but didn't know it was a quadrant thing. Thanks Tony! Love your work here :D

[@TeddyB3ARGaming]

My favourite movie analysis channels: Every Frame a Painting, Lessons from the Screenplay, Now You See It, and Channel Criswell.

[@Alex-gz2xn]

I have to say, thank you so much for these videos, it really helps me boost my perception in film making

[@TwoFistsOneHalleluja]

And here I was thinking you hate Ryan Gosling (ever since the Edgar Wright episode)

[@Cameron88799]

+TwoFistsOneHalleluja His comment about Ryan Gosling at the end of that video was actually nothing to do with Ryan, but was merely pointing out that using Vine, someone made more innovative comedy than many American movies.

[@NotQuiteFirst]

+Cameron Dean I think TwoFistsOneHalleluja was referring to the bit when a scene in which Simon Pegg is carrying a pot plant, and the narrator jokingly refers to good performances by Simon Pegg and Ryan Gosling, implying that the plant is Gosling

[@brunogonz86]

Well, I hate Ryan O'Neil as an actor but I'd kill myself if I had to try and make out Barry Lyndon to be a bad movie because O'Neil's in it

[@bashirsultani]

Would love to see your take on Memento

[@RudiL94]

Every Frame a Painting is the best film channel on KZbin.

[@mueezadam8438]

This level of cinematic expertise is what separates an analysis from a review/synopsis.