Buster Keaton Flashcards

1
Q

What is flat lighting

A

An even/bright look in Keaton’s scenes

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2
Q

How did Keaton use flat lighting

A

He uses an even lighting to emphasise the realism of the scene

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3
Q

What is deep focus

A

A focus on the entire scene, both the foreground and background

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4
Q

How did Keaton use flat lighting

A

It creates dramatic irony as Keaton emphasises his lack of knowledge (background) in contrast to the audience (foreground)

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5
Q

What is an example of deep focus in one of Keaton’s films

A

The train shot in One Week

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6
Q

What is an iris shot

A

A circular focus used to create emphasis on something

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7
Q

What is an example of an iris shot in Keaton’s films

A

The circular focus on calendars in ‘One week’ to emphasise the passing of time and the love interest in ‘Scarecrow’ to emphasise his love

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8
Q

Why is Keaton always featured in the centre

A

Aids the traditional Hollywood method of star vehicling and creates a certain brand

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9
Q

Why does Keaton use symmetry

A

Because it aids his comedic effect, an effect learnt from Vaudeville

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10
Q

What’s an example of symmetry in Keaton’s films

A

The bottle shooting scene in ‘High sign’ emphasises his comedic shooting or the cars in ‘One week’

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11
Q

What is visual amplification

A

Exaggerated movements or effects

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12
Q

What’s an example of visual amplification

A

The toothache or fainting in ‘Scarecrow’

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13
Q

Why does Keaton use held shots

A

To emphasise the comedic effect of a situation

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14
Q

What’s an example of a held shot in Keaton’s films

A

A held shot of the cars in ‘One week’ or the scene behind bars in ‘Cops’

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15
Q

What type of comedy does Keaton use and what does it entail

A

He uses physical comedy, this involves clowning & acrobatics + personifying objects

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16
Q

What is an example of clowning/acrobatics in Keaton’s films

A

The tooth ache in ‘Scarecrow’

17
Q

What is the Keaton curve

A

A narrative structure where Keaton’s character would attempt to flee from the trouble and end up right where he started

18
Q

How was Keaton influenced by Vaudeville

A
  • A theatrical and acrobatic style incorporating physical comedy
  • Use and interaction with a set
19
Q

What is the Keystone Cops trope

A
  • The idea that cops are stupid (‘Cops’ and ‘High sign’)
  • A stock/traditional character
20
Q

The fight of realism/surrealism

A
  • Keaton’s ‘Cartoon gags’ create a dream like effect
  • Unique characterisation of both realism/surrealism
  • Spontaneous tricks due to Keaton’s approach
21
Q

What was occurring with the Hollywood Star system in 1920s

A
  • Studios had lots of control + owned the stars
  • Founding of the united artists
  • Introduction of the hays code
22
Q

How was Keaton influenced by cubism

A

He often used symmetrical and geometric shapes traditional for art of the time he was influenced by Pablo Picasso

23
Q

How was Keaton influenced by the Machine age

A

He was fascinated by mechanics & machines
He was influenced by Rube Goldbergs personification of props

24
Q

What was Keatons nickname

A

The stone face

25
Q

Was film formulaic of expressionist

A

formulaic