Component 2 - Section C: Silent Cinema, Buster Keaton Short Films Exam Questions And Answers 2024

What era of silent film are we studying? - correct answer-American silent comedy Silent cinema - correct answer-The silent period saw filmmakers working to develop film narrative and film form to communicate ever more effectively through purely visual means. Films during this period are associated with the wider cultural and artistic movement of modernism Who was the most surreal out of the great and innovative American silent comedians of this period - correct answer-Buster Keaton What did Buster Keaton used to do before directing and staring in American silent film comedies - correct answer-He used to work in Vaudeville (a type of entertainment popular in the US in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of speciality acts such as burlesque comedy and song and dance. Preformed on a stage like theatre). Buster Keaton preformed in his families Vaudeville acts ('the three Keaton's')where he was the 'little man' often thrown around and seen in contrast with a 'big man'. He adapted his work from Vaudeville to confront the problem of living as the incongruous 'little man' in an age of accelerated change. Vaudeville - correct answer-Popular form of entertainment in USA between 1880s and early 1930s Variety of performers - acrobats, singers, comedians - they preform short sketches Keaton came from a family of performers, 'the three Keatons' What Buster Keaton short films are we studying? - correct answer-One Week (1920) The Scarecrow (1920) The High Sign (1921) Cops (1922) Buster Keaton directed and starred in these films, but who else also did? - correct answer-Edward F Cline also helped direct these shorts, and he played characters in 'The Scarecrow' and 'Cops' The development of early cinema - correct answer-The Zoetrope Muybridge Kinetoscope What film is considered to be the first silent film comedy? - correct answer-L'arroseur arrose (Le Jardinier) by the Lumière Brothers about a gardener getting sprayed on by another man (so funny) USA film comedy - correct answer-Emerged as a distinct genre in 1912 Mack Sennett founded the Keystone company and studios (The Keystone Cops) Short, gag-based and fast-paced physical comedies Biggest producer of American comedy films in the 1910s The Golden Age of American film comedy - correct answer-The 1920s Many comedians developed their craft at Keystones e.g. Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd Other comedians included Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chase American silent film: conventions and pleasures - - correct answer-Falls and chases played for laughs Stunts to thrill Star comedians with intriguing personalities Implausible scenarios Stories told effectively and clearly Evoking of dream-like states Critiques of American society The Star System - correct answer-Established by American film studios by the 1920s Distinct personas and comedy style developed by the studios Many comedians given a great deal of control over their films 1919 - film executive Joseph M. Schenck set up Buster Keaton productions: Keaton was given creative freedom Buster Keaton's star persona - correct answer-Deadpan slapstick comedy performer Acrobat skill of stunt work Psychological insight of characterisation On screen character: Simple man dealing with a chaotic world Prone to mishaps Faces a series of obstacles to achieve his goal Seeks soulmate and competes for a woman's affection Buster Keaton as an auteur - correct answer-Distinctive stylistic features Master of visual comedy Actor, director, writer and producer Audacious use of stunts and props One of the greatest acrobatic actors Long shots using the context of the surrounding environment to underscore visual gags Filmography of two-reelers and feature length films Poker face, deadpan delivery and counterpoint to Charlie Chaplin slapstick