Great Video Essayists

Only some of my favourites.

I’ve been getting into video essays a lot lately - more than usual, but I’ve always loved video essays - and especially since I’m making them now, I’m trying to understand how to navigate the niche best.

Here’s a compiled list of some of the best video essay channels I’ve found on Youtube. There’s many more, and maybe this is due for a vol. 2 at some point in the future, and if you know any hidden gems, make sure to hit me up. I’m sure you’ve watched some of these, and some of these you hopefully haven’t, and I find each channel mentioned to create really unique and insightful content.

You can learn a lot about movies from video essays. I find they are specifically beneficial when it comes to learning more about directing - it’s difficult to find quality dissections on film from a directorial perspective, and I find video essayists have started to hit that niche often. Anyway, here’s the list, make sure to check these out if you’re looking for some good Youtube videos for fun & educational purposes.

Thomas Flight: the absolute GOAT of video essays. We all know and love Thomas Flight. He’s fantastic and I watch all of his videos.

Every Frame a Painting: a legendary channel, they haven’t posted in seven years, but their catalog holds up to this day, and these guys have ultimately shaped the video essay niche as we see it now.

Broye Deschanel: more in-depth, longer form content, next level research. A thin line between video essays and short documentaries. I don’t think anyone else explores themes and ideas as extensively as Broye and I always find her videos incredibly insightful.

DuCinema: I only started watching this a lot recently and it’s quickly become one of my favourites. Really well done essays on a variety of topics, almost less film-focused and more film industry-focused.

Scene It: I find these guys to be very insightful when it comes to directing and writing. Again, a variety of topics covered, and the structure of their videos is really immersive.

Karsten Runquist: he does a variety of content, a lot of reviews and general film-related videos, and his essays are great, too. Short, but to the point.

Dodford: exploded recently because these are not really video essays, more found-footage documentaries. Not film-focused, but more industry-focused and actor-focused. Amazing researcher and editor. Really really insightful if you want to learn everything about your favorite actors.

Look Aside Films: we do essays now. ;) Check out the latest one on Hereditary, Midsommar & Ari Aster.

Please do send me any channels you know that are more niche and/or up-and-coming. Video essays are my primary Youtube consumption these days and I’m always looking for more.

Have a lovely weekend ahead and a lovely December ahead and chat soon. x