Buster Keaton Flashcards
What is flat lighting
An even/bright look in Keaton’s scenes
How did Keaton use flat lighting
He uses an even lighting to emphasise the realism of the scene
What is deep focus
A focus on the entire scene, both the foreground and background
How did Keaton use flat lighting
It creates dramatic irony as Keaton emphasises his lack of knowledge (background) in contrast to the audience (foreground)
What is an example of deep focus in one of Keaton’s films
The train shot in One Week
What is an iris shot
A circular focus used to create emphasis on something
What is an example of an iris shot in Keaton’s films
The circular focus on calendars in ‘One week’ to emphasise the passing of time and the love interest in ‘Scarecrow’ to emphasise his love
Why is Keaton always featured in the centre
Aids the traditional Hollywood method of star vehicling and creates a certain brand
Why does Keaton use symmetry
Because it aids his comedic effect, an effect learnt from Vaudeville
What’s an example of symmetry in Keaton’s films
The bottle shooting scene in ‘High sign’ emphasises his comedic shooting or the cars in ‘One week’
What is visual amplification
Exaggerated movements or effects
What’s an example of visual amplification
The toothache or fainting in ‘Scarecrow’
Why does Keaton use held shots
To emphasise the comedic effect of a situation
What’s an example of a held shot in Keaton’s films
A held shot of the cars in ‘One week’ or the scene behind bars in ‘Cops’
What type of comedy does Keaton use and what does it entail
He uses physical comedy, this involves clowning & acrobatics + personifying objects
What is an example of clowning/acrobatics in Keaton’s films
The tooth ache in ‘Scarecrow’
What is the Keaton curve
A narrative structure where Keaton’s character would attempt to flee from the trouble and end up right where he started
How was Keaton influenced by Vaudeville
- A theatrical and acrobatic style incorporating physical comedy
- Use and interaction with a set
What is the Keystone Cops trope
- The idea that cops are stupid (‘Cops’ and ‘High sign’)
- A stock/traditional character
The fight of realism/surrealism
- Keaton’s ‘Cartoon gags’ create a dream like effect
- Unique characterisation of both realism/surrealism
- Spontaneous tricks due to Keaton’s approach
What was occurring with the Hollywood Star system in 1920s
- Studios had lots of control + owned the stars
- Founding of the united artists
- Introduction of the hays code
How was Keaton influenced by cubism
He often used symmetrical and geometric shapes traditional for art of the time he was influenced by Pablo Picasso
How was Keaton influenced by the Machine age
He was fascinated by mechanics & machines
He was influenced by Rube Goldbergs personification of props
What was Keatons nickname
The stone face
Was film formulaic of expressionist
formulaic
