I really enjoyed this piece about film framing and humor on David Bordwell’s website on cinema. The pictures alone are worth a look, even if you don’t have time to read the article. (You’ll relive many great Coen Brothers moments.)

Much of the perspective in the article comes from Barry Sonnenfeld, who has worked extensively with the Coen Brothers. Some of the techniques covered include the use of extremely wide angle lenses, geometrical and symmentrical tableaus, forward tracking, and other camera position techniques. The makers of silent films were masters of this, using framing to build up to a gag, creating comedic suspense long before the gag actually happens.

Bordwell also references Jacques Tati and the more recent movies Shaun of the Dead and Crank. He wraps things up with this:

I think that aspiring filmmakers can learn a lot from this tradition. Our films need more pictorial creativity, which often doesn\’t require fancy CGI. Stylistic handling can add fresh layers to a basic story situation, and astute filmmakers can be alert to the possibilities of comic compositions and funny framings.