In Praise of Chairs

One of the great things about detailed production design is that it pays off in unexpected ways. So today I explore the weird possibilities of that most common of objects: the chair.
For educational purposes only. You can donate to support the channel at
Patreon: / everyframeapainting
And follow me here:
Twitter: / tonyszhou
Facebook: / everyframeapainting
Music:
Black Star - Respiration (Flying High Instrumental)
Kendrick Lamar - HiiiPower (Instrumental)
Black Star - Respiration (Instrumental)
Raekwon - Wu-Gambinos (Instrumental)
Black Star - Respiration (Dr. Luke Remix Instrumental)
DJ Shadow - Why Hip Hop Sucks in ‘96
Audio Clips:
Francis Ford Coppola - The Godfather Part II commentary track
Help us caption & translate this video!
amara.org/v/Gfd5/

[@JakeMGolle]

I'm very impressed how you can elaborate on such simple prop as a chair and make me look at movies and film in a whole new way.

[@SkinsFirstGeneration]

absolutely agree

[@Syllence]

ikr

[@raumerherr1057]

chairs and stools*

[@mateuscarvalho3870]

I was expecting the intro to be someting like: "Hi, my name is Tony, and this is Every Frame a Painting. Now, have a seat, because today, we'll be discussing chairs."

[@happmacdonald]

Mateus Murozaki I'm just going to pretend that Tony hires you for the writing staff, now. ;3

[@JackgarPrime]

Mateus Murozaki Damn, that would have been perfect!

[@kiribundi]

Next time, we'll talk about tables.

[@mateuscarvalho3870]

Happ MacDonald I like to pretend that sometimes too.

[@mateuscarvalho3870]

***** Thanks!

[@LGR]

Oh man, I approve so hard.

[@gogolplex74]

Lazy Game Reviews lol

[@TheMoviePlanet]

Lazy Game Reviews Oh, hey Clint!

[@angelpygs72]

I remember watching your mine craft video the first time you uploaded. good days

[@Wendyiss]

+Lazy Game Reviews i was thinking about you when I watched this haha

[@TotinosOtherBoy]

Lazy Game Reviews duddde i just discovered both this and your channel and have been binging em both

[@liveepically]

Dude. You made chairs interesting....

[@dragoniraflameblade]

You ever notice that in Up, the Carl's face becomes more square when Ellie dies, but is rounder at the end? Someone pointed that out to me once.

[@hede638]

yes but i dont get the idea behind it

[@JoeBlo2]

This is the only channel where I don't mind the extended breaks between uploads. I know it's all because of quality.

[@BollocksUtwat]

JoeBlo2 One of the oldest rules in show biz: keep them wanting more.

[@BurakBoraKapan]

JoeBlo2 CGP Grey?

[@bothi00]

JoeBlo2 This is and YMS. Only channels that put A LOT of effort into videos, hence why the breaks between vids

[@Mikefizzled]

I did but we're a year in now

[@francomarvilcagutierrez1802]

guys the channel is no longer working. sorry to say it but it´s the truth.

[@CZsWorld]

Awesome analysis! I love the wide range of movies you use as examples.

[@captdaf]

Referencing 'Up'; way to make me tear up during a very good essay on production design.

[@PauloNideck]

Those jokes with the chairs that you pointed out were really interesting. Mainly the Chaplin one. This reminds me of how clowns are trained to use objects around them as a part of the staging they are in. Many jokes were put together by just using chairs, mic stands, coats, suits and so on.

[@PHILMMedia]

Every Frame a Painting has taught me more about film than any of my college classes. Such a great resource

[@rishavmukherjee949]

What shitty college are you going to?

[@tomascanevaro4292]

i cant wait to chair this video with my friends

[@maxmendoza4377]

Get out.

[@jeanbeausuperbeau]

+Tomas Canevaro i thought i asked you to stop dad...

[@chapablo]

ugh, you're such a Lazy Boy...

[@Sum41RiseAgainst]

I couldn't chair less

[@burakhezar112]

Stop chairing your stupid jokes with us.

[@Ttamlin]

I hate that you've left us, but I love that you've left us these videos. I will keep coming back, a couple times a year it seems, and re-watching these videos, for as long as I can. You left a gift for us all, and I hope that whatever you're up to these days, you're loving it!

[@novikovPrinciple]

Every time I look at a scene from the first 5 minutes of Up, a part of me dies and I curse Pixar.

[@nolanbarth52]

You make a video essay about chairs and it's the most interesting thing I've seen all day? Fuck man, that is talent right there.

[@Skymarshal]

Great video man. As someone who prides themselves on understanding the 'art of a scene' this is something I've NEVER thought about. Especially that Godfather 2 Scene... damn...

[@jaronneutronix3231]

Fanny and Alexander has maybe the best chair scene ever!!

[@JonAddisonFilms]

I got a notification for this video at the exact same time I was writing a character telling another to sit. Needless to say I feel I need to rethink the way in which this is done now.

[@everyframeapainting]

Jon A Clearly, this character needs to sit on his head.

[@somberlight]

Every Frame a Painting Cronenberg would be proud of that mental image oO

[@na5794]

I've always been fancy to the expression "there are no objects, only stories." Everything has a story to tell if you look closely, even a chair.

[@lailedcat]

This made me think of Nanny McPhee. In the director's commentary Emma Thompson talks in depth about the chair they got to represent the dead mother.

[@TomatoBroth]

This channel is very rapidly becoming one of my favorites on KZbin. Keep it up, love all your videos!

[@RUMIMUME]

Dude. You blow me away, every time. I watch most of your essays 2-3 times (or more) & often end up watching/rewatching movies you discuss. Like the week long Kurosawa binge I went on a while back. You always do a great job & always make me think. Thanks

[@Most0riginalUsername]

The Up one destroyed me, thank you very much. I'm binge watching your videos and I'm learning a lot. From now on when I watch movies and tv shows I'll be paying attention to many more details. Thank you!!

[@JarrodBaniqued]

4:40-4:53 I like this sequence of editing. Notice how the chairs are moving. From still life to chaos and back to still life again. It's a clever method of editing--a way to suggest the editor having his fun like a child in a sand box, throwing around sand--except, here, chairs are being thrown around. And then a return to normality--the stillness of the chairs in the Matrix suggests the framing of his brief time of fun.

[@LouisHong97]

My favourite series ever. Please continue !!

[@gravityvertigo13579]

This is such a wonderful video. This is honestly one of my favorites so far. I love how you've picked what is ultimately not an inherently important thing, but a ubiquitous one, and shown how it can be made useful to the movie. Love it.

[@steve_santiago]

Your music choice is impeccable: Black Star, Kendrick, Wu-Tang…

[@konstantinosoikonomou5297]

Great, great, great video! I had never really paid any (conscious) attention to the chairs in the frame. That will change from now on. Thank you for sharing this!

[@imnotandy]

loving your videos, especially that you're pointing out things not immediately apparent. great tunes too

[@beardedmovieguy322]

Your blowing my mind Tony, your blowing my MIND!

[@LaCriaturaDelMar]

BeardedMovieGuy *you're

[@beardedmovieguy322]

Congradulations, you get the perfect speller award! Way to go!

[@somberlight]

BeardedMovieGuy *Congratulations,

[@SpookNukem]

+BeardedMovieGuy Shameful

[@casual_designer]

Quality as always. Keep up the great work Tony.

[@TreeRootPlays]

Beautiful and inspiring as always, thank you for sharing!

[@brucemozart3665]

This is the only channel that get's me excited about chairs.

[@avisliberis]

Amazing video Tony! Thank you!

[@jamesblissfilm]

Another fantastic video! This is easily becoming my new favourite channel!

[@WOODSYMAN]

I love all your videos. Thanks very much. Keep 'em coming.

[@nickwernham]

This is excellent, Tony! Another great piece.

[@getintofilm]

Really great analysis - love your videos Tony!

[@DeliciousJudas]

You are just fucking amazing man.

[@MrAngelprod]

Hi Tony! Love your channel! Very insightful and inspiring!

[@warhammernerd52Daxx-Lorenzo898]

I was looking for this *exact* video for years, thanks for making this

[@TheFitchproductions]

my new favorite vid, bravo tony

[@MrUtah1]

It’s not just the chair itself that can do visually storytelling, its also how an actor sits in the chair. If the actor sits back, they are either uninterested in a certain topic or has power, if the actor sits forward, they are either very interested in a certain topic or is uncomfortable and has no power

[@nithinanil8077]

Your videos are really informative and innovative. Thanks a lot Tony.

[@markusbirdman1069]

Thanks for another entertaining and insightful video Tony

[@lacadam]

All of these videos are so good and well thought out, this one is no exception

[@BoopBep]

Dude I love your videos, keep makin em

[@Goliath10]

Your videos are some of the best film courses I could have asked for. Kudos.

[@ShiningLightStudios]

I can never wait for your next video. Thank you so much for all the knowledge and freshness you bring to KZbin and the indie film making community.

[@irotinmyskin]

man i enjoy your videos so much. keep up the great work!

[@chris92945]

Amazing. You just took a piece of production that I mostly considered to be trivial and showed that how much it can actually mean in the context of the film. With every video you make Tony, I learn more and more about the small but important nuances of cinema and I'm very grateful for that. Keep up the great work! :D

[@mikkii50]

Love the hip hop instrumentals you choose.

[@federicofalconieri1208]

Tony you are amazing! Keep up the good work!

[@Mariofan7]

I love your videos. 5 minutes explaining what chair/sittig in a movie can tell about the world or the charachters it's just awesome. Thank you for the content!

[@XavierFajardo]

As always, your essays are full of insights into the art of film making that always leaves me wanting more.

[@newtypexzerox]

Your videos are always so good, keep up the great work!

[@WetSands]

incredible insight once again. Your videos are such a treat!

[@celesteelka]

As soon as i saw the title, I knew "Up" would be referenced. Those chairs so perfectly portray Karl and Ellie's characters. Great video, Tony. Keep up the great work!

[@TheMoviesBrothers]

Since I found this channel by accident, I really am amazed by how much you can find out and analyze! Great Job :)

[@gilgamesh310]

Your videos are quickly becoming some of my favourite in KZbin.

[@Shinrya]

Brilliant new episode! You put so much effort into your research for these videos and it really shows.

[@CzarZappy]

Great essay! I've never thought about such a subtle detail, but that's what makes it great.Keep up the good work!

[@TheAlwaysOriginals]

These vids are really cool man!

[@CraigPatrick839]

Fantastic work. I’ve been curious when you were going to tackle production design. Just beautifully executed.

[@uncanalmenor]

This video has become a staple in my undergrad semiotics course. It makes concrete and visual all the abstract theory I'm trying to convey to my students. It's a wonderful video-essay!

[@VicRamJim]

Big fan of your videos! Thank you!

[@bradleysmith9924]

Would love to see a video on pacing. :)

[@asderc1]

He kinda did with the F for Fake video.

[@alisherbaloch5362]

jjncmmm

[@alisherbaloch5362]

kdnshn

[@alisherbaloch5362]

kdnshn

[@AakashBakaya]

Superb video. A great look at how simple production design can enhance and give depth to your characters. The small bit of commentary from Coppola was the icing on the cake.

[@zacboring]

Awesome topic, man. Loved it. I'm glad someone else pays attention to the weird details of set design as well, haha. I'm a big fan of rugs and lamps in movies.

[@JamaTheHutt]

love the music and the vid was great as usual. Keep it up!

[@ebbyc1817]

I come back to these videos every so often just to brighten my day. "In Praise of Chairs" is one of my favourites.❤️ You guys really did something special here.

[@splatproductions99]

Your channel has made me watch film so differently, looking at the shot choice, like where the character is placed and what significance that has, and it's made my viewing experience so much better. Thanks!

[@CMontgomeryBurns09]

I feel like Tony is indirectly making an excellent point about filmmaking, how his videos take the seemingly most mundane aspects of life and/or movies (a fucking chair, for example), and making a fascinating video essay out of it. Much like how he pointed out how David Fincher is able to take otherwise mundane scenes of three people sitting in a room, talking, and making it cinematic....

[@jabrikolo]

You are my most favourite movie-related KZbinr! I love how you always think through your videos in every little detail. very nice produced! And so far I have learned so much just from watching your videos. Movies are so much more to me now

[@JohnnyWL91]

Amazing video as always

[@doonkotube6530]

I love how Every Frame a Chair made an entire video just discussing paintings

[@marcusgears1991]

I literally keep watching all of your video more than once!!!😃😃😃..idk what about it that keeps me coming back but BRAVO my friend BRAVO!!!😃😃

[@frivvybarage7331]

You just never disappoint. Keep up the great work!

[@tompayer4319]

Yasss :D Your videos are everytime like Christmas! :) thank you .. keep it up!

[@michaelwain58]

Thought provoking as always. Thank you, Tony.

[@illtakethebox]

great instrumental choices

[@tonysoul6572]

and what happen to the copyright?

[@jezzafied]

it's under fair use

[@jon99867]

It's under fair use but he doesn't monetize his videos, he lets people donate to his patreon instead.

[@diegofelipe91]

Oh, I'd never thought about chairs this way before ! It will of course improve my productions in the future, your channel is by far the best about cinematography ! keep the good work, thanks !

[@tomsawyer7677]

Excellent, as always.

[@AIimento]

I love your videos. Good stuff

[@tedstrauss999]

Where was Dr. Strangelove? A fine chair performance.

[@FrankGlencairn]

Brilliant, as always.

[@eebowenn]

You are excellent Tony! Giving meaning to something that seems so simple... You show us not just the tree, but the whole forest. Don't stop doing what you do man, keep awesome. Hugs from Argentina!

[@luisgustavonunesdeoliveira3691]

I love in Better Call Saul when Jimmy wants to hire Francesca even if she is ther first person that they have interviewed. His excitement is combined with a rocking chair, that don't stop moving until the silence of his waiting for Kim approvement.

[@EpicPanda111]

Only this channel is able to make me think about how great chairs are...

[@roelvoort]

Very well put video. like the film titles in the "CC" function. Top man.

[@DreamRice]

Woooow!!! Amazing again!

[@AndyHibberd]

Another great video Tony. You open my eyes to good cinema.

[@JPywell]

Every single one of your videos changes my perception of how I view TV and film. I'm a TV graduate but your insightful videos and your attention to detail in your video essays astound me and inspire me. Thank you.

[@benjaminfenton8962]

Im too impatient to have this channel be my favorite! The waiting kills. I check for new videos daily! Thanks for making this so much a part of me and making it so though provoking. This channel brings up many interesting topics and makes me think more as a film maker while watching the video and when filming, editing, etc.

[@tsoupakis]

You are such an inspiration... every time I need to direct something, I always take some hours and take a look at your videos to inspire me more.. Please dont you ever stop doing this, its so nice to have someone to trust.. And you Sir, have our trust for sure.. :)

[@SamBassComedy]

This is so insightful. I write fiction, and in my stories I'm always writing the chair to match the scene or the character, or both. I never realized why until I watched your video. Thank you!

[@SaneRevel]

love the channel, love the music in this vid

[@dcallstar51]

Tony, you're a genius. Every video a masterpiece.

[@harryeuh]

Love your videos, the're awesome!

[@ChampHoodieCozyEdits]

You have easily become one of my favorite KZbinrs, man. I love your choice of instrumentals for your videos. Especially the hip-hop ones. Two of my favorite things in the world is Hip-Hop and Movies and you perfectly blend them in your editing and extreme knowledge of cinema. Much love and respect to you.

[@Snapback1015]

Everytime I see one of your videos I am willing to rewatch every movie I have watched so far just to spot some new details in their cinematography :D Please keep up the incredible work of yours :)