July 19, 2024

Communication

'Remember, video essays aren’t essays. They’re films.'

Every Frame a Painting is a series of 28 video essays about film form, film editing, and cinematography created by Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou between 2014 and 2016. Each of these short-form videos is built around one filmmaker and one of their unique talents. They analyze Akira Kurosawa to understand how to compose movement, Edgar Wright to dissect visual comedy, and Buster Keaton on the art of the gag.

Tony opens this episode with a declaration: "This is an essay film by Orson Welles. It’s called F for Fake. And it's one of my personal bibles. Everything I know about editing, I learned from this film. But today, I want to talk about one basic thing: When you’re structuring a video essay there’s one thing you really want to avoid...".

In this day when we all have the technology we need to shoot, record and edit a video right in our pocket, we all need a little coaching on how to make it a video worth watching.

VIDEO: F for Fake (1973) - How to Structure a Video Essay

Communication

Blogging for democracy

‍POSTS: Kottke.org Posts & Links for Jan 23, 2026

Communication

When designers are their own client

‍ARTICLE: Christmas Cards to Paul Rand

Communication

“Every year, we spare a thought for Santa, making sure he’s well fed as he makes his magical journey across the world. But we forget there are millions of real people who will go hungry this Christmas.”

ARTICLE: Sorry Santa, No Snack for You! We'd Rather Feed Struggling Families

Communication

Stories help people understand that the futures we picture together can become the futures we build.

RESEARCH REPORT: Fabric of Repair