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

[@slowdro]

I'll never forget that one time @StevenWallaby quote tweeted that Fallout show clip saying "Do they just not teach blocking in film school anymore or what?" and then linking this video. I can't believe how much I learned in just three minutes.

[@s.t2634]

just came from that tweet aswell 😂

[@Pepegaflyboy]

so i'm not the only one who clicked the link

[@adri.progression]

me too! More vocabulary to add to my arsenal

[@nimowx]

ill never watch a movie the same.

[@oneoctaveabove]

Wym “I’ll never forget” that was TODAY😭

[@FatCharlieTheArchangel]

The second you pointed it out I realized that this is perhaps the No. 1 reason I've been finding films so boring recently...

[@davidshi451]

It's surprising how often we don't notice these things, until you really start to think about it!

[@kyletowers9662]

to quote mr. plinkett "you may not have noticed it, but, your brain did"

[@AbystomaMexicanium]

I think I just had the same realization.

[@Thorntonian]

"photographs that talk". Genius. Also- The guy in the black suit was Toshiro Mifune?! He looks really different without a beard. Or samurai armour.

[@hansikursch484]

Thorntonian still sharp af tho

[@randomaccmeme]

Mifune is the best actor for me because I always have to take a double look in many of his films to check if it's really him

[@stormcloudsabound]

Beyond Kurosawa's talents as a filmmaker, the real star is Toshiro Mifune and how he holds the camera's attention. Even if he's not in close-up, he's still constantly in the scene, still reacting to what's going on as if reacting for the first time. Your eyes are drawn to him not just because he's in the center of the triangle, but because the moment the other two men (or other man, depending on which point in the scene) stop moving, he's doing something with his eyes or face, or even sometimes his posture. It's a tense scene not just because of the 'reveal' of Shirai with the stolen money, but because you're already sort of endeared to Nishi, you don't want him to get TOO big or relish too much in his new victory, because then, like Tony says, his cover's blown. Just goes to show you, you don't need American method acting to act well.

[@redryan20000]

Just watched the film myself - that goes for many of the actors/characters in the movie. The background acting and composition of each shot is superb overall.

[@Saint_Wolf_]

I feel like more than the actor (which deserves all the praise) it's just Kurosawa's wisdom in being unafraid of the environment's/scenery he's got to work with and, in fact, being so confident, he uses an open lens that captures the entire scene unblured by focusing and adjusting the lens.

[@doot2207]

hello even though this is 5 years late in Akira Kurosawas book something like an Autobiography he speaks in great detail how wonderful Toshiro Mifune is and its quite wonderful to read.

[@giovannisantopietro2612]

​@@doot2207 hello! What Is the name of the book?

[@Shilag]

You never fail to make me think in completely different ways!

[@jamesthomas1244]

I agree. It like takes me out of the box of stupid-mind, and throws you out into another world of stuff you never knew existed. It happens in movies, how much more so real life? What are we missing? Right here? right now? in this moment?

[@davidshi451]

That's mainly way I keep coming back to these videos; as Tony said, we're so visually sophisticated in how fast our eyes can move, but totally visually illiterate. So, these videos are like learning to read. And like reading, they open up a whole new world for us to enjoy.

[@sgctellandshow]

David Shi so many people are visually illiterate as film is so dumbed down now and that when its 'hard' to follow the movie is deemed 'bad' and it just sucks that people see it that way The very fact that we watch Tony's stuff would probably mean we watch more than 10 movies a year but the general audience probably can stick with watching none or 5 a year. Can't practice to think when you rarely use that visual eye.

[@davidshi451]

JamesThomas We must go deeper!

[@davidshi451]

***** Well, I don't know how accurate that assessment is, but I can respect that. I do think, and Tony might agree with this, that film form is something that is accessible to a larger audience. Only time will tell.

[@mossadon]

O.K...lets be honest...this channel should be required subscription for film students. Tony's observations and the way he presents them are concise and informative. He turns what he sees into verbal poetry and thus engages the visual as well as the aural parts of the brain. Glad to have found this channel. Excellent work, Tony. Your piece on Master Kon made me cry, as do his films. >places right fist on open left palm & bows

[@RowanJColeman]

I love this. I could never put my finger on what made Kurosawa's films so magnetic to watch until watching this video.

[@AmiYamato]

Superb! Once again I'm fascinated by your analysis.

[@Nassergamez]

Ami! :D

[@DethThrasher1]

***** VHS !

[@allthingsfascinating]

Ami!

[@TheAgentmigs]

Absolutely love this. As a graphic designer and a fan of norman rockwell I definitely see the order and care that Kurosawa puts into his frames. And in this era or too many cut-aways and shaky cams, its soo refreshing to see scenes play out with subtlety.

[@samfilmkid]

Tony, do not be surprised if one day you are in a bunch of cinematographers, directors and editors acceptance speeches at the Academy Awards. Just sayin'. Can I get a AMEN?!?

[@allthingsfascinating]

Amen

[@ZReviews]

That Bebop soundtrack is the best thing to speak over..

[@nothingforyouhere418]

Z Reviews, i used the same track as background music in a radio ad i made. Love to hear it again the same way

[@palpytine]

How on earth do you get the license for this?

[@coosoorlog]

is that bebop though? sounds more like hard bop or modern big band to me.

[@manualvarado2212]

Coos Oorlog (Are you dutch?) It does sound like Cowboy Bebop though.

[@fremenmelon7639]

and dj shadow to end it :)

[@Autotrope]

Tony Zhou you have the perfect narrating voice. I wish you narrated more things I watch.

[@jjkmovies]

Beautifully informative.

[@thesilentcontempt]

Just when I thought your channel couldn't get any better. Such a breath of fresh air to see you break down Kurosawa AND use Cowboy Bebop music while you do it. Keep up the fantastic work, Tony. Please.

[@MellowGaming]

Have you watched much Yasujiro Ozu films? He has a beautiful way of framing and piecing together shots. As his films went on actors never broke the frame and he'd construct frames within the film's frame using walls and beams. Incredible restraint when it comes to never moving the camera either. It's like he does everything you're told you shouldn't do in cinematography yet crafts brilliant scenes out of it. He was quite the opposite of Kurosawa. Apparently they didn't get along. Both had great use of space in a scene though.

[@seanmittelstaedt9788]

Yeah! I want to see a review of A Story of Floating Weeds.

[@everyframeapainting]

Mellow Gaming A genius. What's also crazy is that there's literally nobody like him, ever. Nobody else ever shot or cut like that. Kurosawa was hugely influential and nearly every action film ever made is borrowing his grammar. But Ozu is practically a standalone entity, like one of those fossils we discover that shows a totally alternate way the species could have evolved. But yeah, I love his work and especially his use of color in the last few films.

[@MellowGaming]

Every Frame a Painting That's true. You can see his influence here and there but no-one seems to dare shoot that style. I only started watching his films a couple years back but now I'm kinda obsessed with how he shot everything. It was watching Mark Cousin's A Story of Film that got me watching.

[@everyframeapainting]

Mellow Gaming Everybody keeps telling me to watch that Cousins movie and so far I've done two hours on Netflix and it's good. But maaaan 15 hours. One day I'll finish it.

[@MellowGaming]

heh. I have the dvd set. It's all split into 3 hour chunks. Watched it over the course of a week when I got it. Well worth watching. There's a book that the documentary was based on too but it can be pricey.

[@jannsse]

Kurosawa's High and Low is one of my favorite films of all time, but I still haven't seen The Bad Sleep Well yet, even though it's been on my radar for quite some time already. I'm definitely watching it one of the upcoming days. It looks fantastic. Anyway, thanks for this great short analytical video. I love how you expose the laziness of certain mediocre films that somehow still get very positive critical recognition these days, while praising the truly good stuff. Let's hope the filmmakers of tomorrow are watching. Keep up the great work, man!

[@TomBolles]

These videos just blow my mind. It really makes me appreciate the amount of thought that goes into setting up a single scene. I've learned a lot from your videos, and am eager to apply this knowledge to my own works. I also just admire how well you analyze scenes. Keep up the good work!

[@Chxxvo]

I came from Twitter after the viral tweet from @StevenWallaby reacting to a scene from the Fallout show, saying "Do they not just teach blocking in film school anymore?". I'm just putting it out there in an oddly specific manner.

[@youtubeaccounter5900]

Same

[@matthewjwhite1234]

Watching this, the whole discussion was reminding me about how blocking in theatre works. I took a class about theatre production in high school, and one of the things I always remembered was a tip to arrange actors in triangles whenever possible, as the eye is naturally drawn to the centre, and helps create depth on the stage. It also helped to illustrate the power balance in the scene, as careful actor placement controls where the eye looks, like the rule of thirds in photography. That theatre-esque aesthetic also matches Kurosawa's camera placement and editing choices. Always facing the one direction (like a stage, missing the 4th wall), and done in one long take.

[@Ryan-ye2fm]

Every six months or so, I remember how good these video essays were, and check back to see if Tony has started up again. Disappointment leads to acceptance, and acceptance leads to re-watching. Today, it was this one.

[@jonathanuka3790]

Who came from Twitter?

[@avgandrew1545]

Yup fallout trailer lol

[@justsomeone3962]

Us

[@Kevinwith1kk]

😂yea

[@jamfaon708]

I have a lack of culture

[@MoonlitLuka]

Me. Definitely see exactly what they mean about blocking now. That Fallout show is really mid visually.

[@findmestudios]

I started studying Kurosawa recently, I watched Rashomon, Seven Samurai and Hidden Fortress. He's become my favorite director

[@hyperunboxing9304]

Me too!

[@Technoguy3]

Does noticing all these little details when you're watching movies ever ruin or decrease the immersion for you?

[@everyframeapainting]

Technoguy3 nah not really. i can turn it off pretty easily. also, there's always alcohol.

[@davidshi451]

I think Tony commented on this before, that it's entirely possible to enjoy a film on multiple levels at the same time, consciously and unconsciously. For his Reddit AMA, he also said it's easier to see these details if you put the film into editing software and watch in slow-mo, 2X and 4X speed, black and white, muted, backwards, etc.

[@unknown09111]

Every Frame a Painting "It's a great time, if your drunk. Yeaaaha, Now's the party" -Jeremy Jahns

[@666lupine666]

there is a complicated answer that boils down to boring people find boring visuals immersive and interesting, creative people find complex visuals immersive. Fincher shot gone girl like an episode of law and order because he figured out which demographic still pays for movie tickets in the information age.

[@DeSardet46]

David Shi He fucking did an AMA? Goddamn it I missed it.

[@arminengaming]

Your videos are really helping me see films much differently. In fact they help me understand why I liked Mad Max: Fury Road more than any film this year. It's just non-stop movement, there's always that feeling of a something looming in the distance even when you cannot see it coming, and the lack of dialogue actually helped it more than anything. Also it's amazing how the movie forced your eyes to look in very specific places. Your videos make me understand that a lot more, and it's fantastic.

[@MissKimsTeaTime]

Thank you for sharing these! I may not be a film maker, but as an illustrator I'm always looking at different ways I can stage characters.

[@cooldudesclubproductions3583]

I first got into filmmaking a couple months ago, and I guess you can say I caught the movie fever and I've been spending my time learning about movies whenever I can. But for some reason, in these brief video essays, I've learned more about filmmaking than in my hours of reading and watching. This channel is one of the best on KZbin, and I hope one day your name and channel become universally known in the industry. Can't wait till your next video.

[@crm114-PoE]

Good video man! Glad to see some recognition for The Bad Sleep Well. I'm looking forward to your longer essay about the legend that is Kurosawa. I always come back to him a few times a year.

[@n.i.c.k.f.l.e.t.c.h.e.r]

This KZbin channel is quickly becoming a priceless resource to me. Thanks again Tony

[@FearForceClan]

you really do have one of the greatest channels on youtube, thanks for your awesome videos

[@mononoke721]

Can I just say good sir you are doing a simply stupendous job at giving me a greater appreciation of not just individual directors or techniques, but a desire to start looking at movies in a much more involved way, at least when I really want to learn something and not just 'switch off' for a bit. Your videos are definitely all about the visual structures that underlie a movie that so many movie makers don't consider much at all, structures that are so important in giving a movie something beyond the apparent and enter into the realm of greater artistic subtlety and depth.

[@Sonoluminescencia]

This channel is definitely better than the usual "Movie Review" ones that are everywhere on KZbin. Just saying.

[@ChuckHenebry]

Love the brevity of this installment. Great contrasts conveyed in the opening, with your words coming in after to help us understand the distinction we all immediately intuited.

[@CinemaSeven]

Such a great video. I was waiting for it and you knocked me out with Kurosawa and shapes. I love it. Can't wait for the next one.

[@MuseMediaUSA]

Thanks, Tony. And thank you for refraining from those annoying KZbin commercials on your channel!

[@MKotnis]

I've been watching movies since I was born, and yet every time I watch one of Tony's videos my mind gets blown again!

[@neilgalivan3179]

As a film fanatic, and major fan of yours, I'm so ashamed that I still haven't seen a Kurosawa film. Thanks for reminding me of his existence and heightening my interest in seeing his films.

[@omarlittl3]

Please, never stop making this awesome videos. You are in the top 3 of my favorite chanels.

[@nilsp9426]

Amazingly clear and concise explanations backed up by perfectly fitting examples.

[@loghanm1995]

These are so interesting! Your breakdowns are so in depth, yet when i watch any movie after watching these, i notice them almost instantly. Thanks!

[@chanseng]

Man I get goosebumps every time you upload stuff. Thanks.

[@shaiksulthan7027]

This is the most genuinely loved channel on youtube as far as I know. This is really going to blow out of proportions. Get Ready.

[@MrCmoore0318]

Just in time! I really wanted to watch one of your videos today. Nice work

[@Bretil]

Just wanna say I really love your videos. I learned so much - please stay up with this great work!

[@Eleni.314]

WOW! I very rarely feel that I understand a piece of art better after someone explains it! What a feeling!

[@Ravenq222]

Kurosawa is probably the most important filmmaker I haven't gotten to yet. Now I'll have something to look for when I watch these!

[@myszowor]

Whenever I see a movie lately, I equally bless and curse you for opening my eyes to the editing and framing details. Keep up the great work, it's spectacular!

[@Neuroticmancer]

man, i really do love this series. please don't ever stop

[@laureng.6745]

As a film student and lover of films, your channel is priceless to me. With that being said I am fully willing to support it through Patreon. Thank you for your great work.

[@doctorsphoenix4681]

I freaking love the way this guy goes into the artistry of cinematography. Kudos.

[@reesewho]

excellent video. I still haven't had the chance to see any Kurosawa films, but I'm really looking forward to watching some now.

[@jarkokoo]

Just watched The Bad Sleep Well and I have to say, that it is just a masterpiece in staging. I think Tony could've easily made 30min episode from this movie alone. :)

[@Lifetimes09]

ayy cowboy bebop music with intresting education

[@pandjiputranda]

+Lifetimes09 been searching for this in the comment section!

[@tubeuser2222]

Tony! Thank you so much for these videos! I'm subscribed to like 70 different channels and your videos are always the diamonds that stand out among the crowd. I just had a tough 13 hour school day with civil engineering and this upload made my night! Thank You!!! (hopefully when i get some more money ill show my appreciation and throw some cash at your face!)

[@GUAXIMAN]

For whoever made this. Thank you so much for this, it´s value exceeds any possible expectations. Not only for filmbuffs or else, but for all of us students an non students who just love the real art of cinema that nowadays has a tendency to be overlooked by shitty films and mediocre directors. Sincerely i love your channel and i will share it as much as i can. Keep up the good work!

[@davidshi451]

The part where Hitchcock starts talking was kind of confusing, because The Theory of Everything actor was moving his lips at the same time. Other than that, really cool video.

[@KyleCulver]

haha! I was a little off on that too. I hadn't seen those films yet so I didn't know how the audio was suppose to be. Felt weird before getting to Hitchcock.

[@davidshi451]

Although it was kind of funny rewatching it...

[@DanHauer]

+David Shi I had the same confusion.

[@_hmhh_7589]

Please keep these coming sir. Amazing to see someone show a visual interpretation of what I admire every time I head to the theater. Thx.

[@Erap21z]

Simply excellent Tony, both from you and of course from Akira Kurosawa.

[@HarpGuitarDrumGuy]

Wow! Absolutely brilliant. So insightful and in only a couple of minutes. THANK YOU!

[@hazardsigns]

Excellent, as always. I enjoying watching your scene deconstructions almost as much as watching a full film. You always create well thought out content (rather than churning out videos on a daily/weekly basis) and I leave with a little more insight into the film-making process each time. Between this and the more comical Cinema Sins, I have cut back my overall movie intake and concentrate on watching (sometimes repeat watching) films that have been beautifully shot and edited...though I do still have my guilty pleasure watches too. I draw to relax or focus my concentration and get much more immersed in a visual medium that audio or the written word. So thank you for helping me enjoy it a little better.

[@ainhoagomez33]

just wanted to thank you for these videos!

[@thepiyow]

I really can't belive a video like this have dislikes. It's amazing, keep the good work

[@billomaticles]

triangle is basic live theatre stage blocking technique for giving and taking focus; useful for a static camera position; takes good actors and plenty of rehearsal but great results when properly executed.

[@ChuckOwl]

Wow. I knew absolutely nothing about all these intricate details in shooting scenes. I also just saw your "action scenes" video and I must say that you taught me a lot of very interesting stuff. You've earned yourself a new subscriber. Good work, and keep more of these awesome videos coming!

[@joemadden4160]

One must remember that Kurosawa used a 3 camera set up as well. Also, his actors considered their jobs as important to the art and we're obliged to work for Kurosawa. Today's performers would never oblige most directors in this way. Too much time...and I have to talk to my agent blah blah blah. Excellent analysis. Subscribed.

[@musich13]

My favorite content creator on youtube, fantastic as always Tony.

[@dr34mv3iL]

Holy crap, I just finished watching this movie for the first time not more than 5 minutes ago. That scene is incredible.

[@AdamSDoyle]

Your observations are badass Tony. I love recommending your channel to friends, especially those in the film business. Always a pleasure to watch and learn.

[@mnikhk]

Saw the video few years ago, finally saw the movie yesterday it's beautiful as described. Please continue to make more videos.

[@Andrew-jw4vc]

Kurosawa and Mifune together, god every time I see it I get chills. They work so well together, Kurosawa is the most talented director of all time and it feels like Mifune was almost like his muse sometimes. He is the perfect center for so many Kurosawa films, it makes me so emotional seeing such near perfect art

[@ARosethatBloomsinEarlyMay]

Best filmmaking bromance ever, along with Wong Kar-wai and Christopher Doyle.

[@davidshi451]

This is why I love video essays. A fast pace, with tight logic, sucks you into the train of thought -- and yet, you want to watch it again, not just to savor that train of thought, but think some more about what you're seeing. I think it's like what John Green said about his Thoughts From Places videos, about creating a place of thoughtfulness and even stillness, in a place that is (seemingly) in short supply of both.

[@makudonarudokairu]

Very cool. While I appreciate movies for their content, you always point out great things to that help me realize the separation of good content (music, lines, actors, colors, etc.) with good cinematography (angles, shapes, composition, cuts, transitions, etc.)

[@storjoel]

I can wait for months for your videos, there's always so much to learn from them. LOVE your channel!

[@ohayoguy5396]

Dude If ever I've become a successful artist in the future, I'd acknowledge you and this vid as one of the things that transformed my perception and helped me see art in completely new different ways. I'm extremely grateful. Thank you!

[@tokyorosa]

LOVE THIS. Kurosawa is one of my favorite filmmakers ever. (His autobiography is a thing of beauty and wonder.) He is so brilliant at dividing the screen in unique ways using people. There's a scene in Madadaiyo in which a character bows so deeply in apology that he divides the screen horizontally. The first time I saw it, my brain broke in a good way.

[@jamesrendall7216]

Damn, dude! Your videos are like a free film-school course! Keep up the awesome videos!

[@JogauVids]

Cowboy Bebop OST : Check Good Editing : Check Blown mind : Check Like and favorite : check. THANK YOU for those amazing moments you give us.

[@stonybrowder9521]

This is an amazing channel. I've learned more in three minutes than years of film school. Thank you.

[@GhostSixx]

I was craving for a new video. Finally. Yes.

[@GREGALBU]

+GhostSixx aka Guilherme Jacobs alo

[@Carcosacabin]

Your videos are a treasure trove of knowledge

[@masonbrown9155]

Just watched the Bad Sleep Well and holy shit i was blown away. Not only are the visuals fucking fantastic but the story was gripping every minute.

[@kkiniaes]

I just have to share, your videos are one of the reasons I aspire to be a better filmmaker. The way you analyze and break down all these shots is very insightful and I hope you have as much fun doing them as I do watching them. I hope you never stop to make more and more of these videos as they are all fantastic.

[@pedro-eu-mesmo]

A new video from Tony, today is a good day

[@AndriusSubjektyvas]

If you are continuing working in this level it will be number one channel in my list. High quality and usefull information for filmmakers and movie viewers.

[@BiDaoOMG]

Fantastic video! I learned more in a few mins about framing than I did in several semesters of school. thank you.

[@uncletrick1]

You're videos are always so wonderfully insightful. Thanks for making them.

[@alech5643]

Boy do I look forward to the videos you guys make you guys are excellent please keep it up!

[@marco.nascimento]

Oh, how I miss these videos. Every Frame A Painting is a treasure of the internet 💜

[@maverik15j]

Can you please never stop making these? Oh and make them more often.

[@TerrorVisual]

Just came across your videos. Loving them. I see a long night ahead. Props from London!

[@pais5231O1]

I liked this! like really liked it. this was a better description of blocking than any films teacher has ever given me.

[@davidshi451]

Oh man -- visual geometry? On the silver screen? My eyes are hungry for more! Now, I thought uninteresting camera shots wouldn't be that boring, until I watched 2.5 hours of them. Case in point: Le Miz, even though I loved the musical as a kid.

[@TheLisergicQueen]

Very interesting review, im gonna watcht again that kurosawa movie paying more attention to every detail , enjoying more the whole experience!! Thank you :)

[@ledyard]

Another great video Tony. Awesome insights.

[@experdivolution]

as always, amazing analysis, please keep going, your work is amazing !

[@micahstory]

Great video! Thanks for making these, I learn something new every time.

[@johnvinter]

Thank U tony for explaining this~~~Just make us know we take for grated so much for the way of directing / making film~~~ REALLY ENLIGHTENING~~~~SUBSCRIBED THIS CHANNEL IS A MUST!

[@TeeM1gs]

I wish you would upload weekly, I really do, everytime I see that number one beside your name it makes me all excited

[@devdhiman77]

That's why I love Akira Kurosawa

[@amcaesar]

Killing me, Tony -- killing me. I don't know how you do this, but keep on doing it!

[@tacticalsweater5119]

This is wonderful. I am beginning to understand more and more why I'm drawn to the old black and whites. I collect lots of film noir and this one just shot to the top of my to-buy list.