Every Frame a Painting: Jackie Chan: How to Do Action Comedy
Some time in the last couple of years I discovered a YouTube account called “Every Frame a Painting“. In it, a fella by the name of Tony Zhou edits and narrates short videos that draw attention to the amazing parts of filmmaking that most of us don’t see the first go around. In fact, many of his videos deal with films that I have seen several times but have managed to still miss some of the intricacies that Tony talks about in his videos. When you check out his account you’ll see videos ranging from stuff on the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the film SE7EN or his focus on my favorite director of all time, Akira Kurosawa. Whether it’s just Tony Zhou doing all of this himself or a crew of guys and gals helping him, Every Frame a Painting is one of my favorite ways to spend 8-15 minutes while I’m waiting at the DMV.
Below you’ll see his video on the action legend Jackie Chan and after watching it you’re guaranteed to gain a level of respect for the legend that maybe you didn’t have before. Loads of directors have made their living on slapping together action stars and comedic actors for years; Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte. What you’re about to see in this video is the stark contrast in editing that enables directors and actors to deliver a completely different experience even when using the same shots in two different movies.
Check out Tony’s work here and let me know which video is your favorite.
