Skip to main content

One Week and The Scarecrow analysis

 

BUSTER KEATON : 'One Week' and 'The Scarecrow' analysis.


Use of Film  Form
- Buster is not really known for cuts in his editing in his short films. However in the scarecrow,  there are many, more than usual. This is because of the scene where buster is being chased by the dog. Dogs are clearly faster than humans so in the film he has to cut each shot to make the dog chase seem long , funny and entertaining. He does this by running out of shot, around corners and then cutting the shot to new scenery.

- mostly long shots (to frame large scale stunts, set pieces and gags); especially in One Week

-exaggerated performances

-long takes (to display large scale stunts, set pieces and gags in their entirety)

-mostly invisible editing


Buster Keaton's film persona

In one week, Buster Keaton already HAS a love where as in Scarecrow, he is looking for his love and keeps failing.
Another persona is in the scene where he is trying to have a posh dinner party, trying to 'fit in’
-working class/rural American

-relatable everyman

-aspirational/American dream

-clumsy/eccentric

-outsider

-hopeless romantic 

Representations:

-traditional/outdated gender roles

•man does hard, blue collar work as wife supports him/does more "feminine work"

•man must fend off rival suitor for wife's hand/love


-hard-working blue collar working class

•builder in One Week, farmer in The Scarecrow

Silent Comedy Techniques:

-Large scale stunts/action scenes at climax

•house spinning in "One Week", and chase in "The Scarecrow"


-slapstick comedy through exaggerated performance, set-up and pay-off

-post-modern techniques

•fourth wall break in "One Week"; cameraman covers lens in order not to expose nudity when woman in bath reaches down to pick up soap

 Cultural Contexts and References:

-opposed to capitalist modernisation/skeptical of industrial revolution

•mocks the idea of a build-it-yourself house kit

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CASABLANCA : Film Form analysis 1

 QUESTION -  Analyse how the following elements of  film form  are used to  create meaning  and guide  audience response (  understanding of narrative, setting,characters , plot, themes etc. ) in the  " Introduction to Rick's Bar " sequence. Cinematography   -As we start the scene the camera films the outside of the bar, with the only lighting shown is the sign of the bar and the light of the watch tower shining past the entrance every couple seconds. -The camera enters the bar like it is within our point of view as it is filming at an average eye level. -As the camera enters the bar is travels from the entrance (right to left) deeper into the bar, showing the whole environment. Editing  -The cuts and editing begins when we enter the bar. As the camera moves from the door to rick's office, the camera cuts from person to person and conversation to conversation to show the audience what life in Casablanc...
Post a Comment
Read more

January Mock Exam Question 2021

Question ' The director is the most important creative influence on the production and content of a film '.     How far do you agree with this statement when applied to both of your chosen films ?   Films chosen: -Casablanca -Apocalypse now  Answer: I somewhat agree with this statement as Directors are seen as the lead role off-camera when a movie is in production. Michael Curtz (Director of Casablanca) and Francis Ford Coppola (Director of Appocolypse now) are the main reasons why both of the films recieved the attention and criticism it deserved.  An introduction to this point is the era of film making, 'new hollywood'. Links to our point as one of the most controversial films out of the 2 chosen was made in the middle of this era; Apocalypse Now (1979). In fact this film was released 1 year before 'New Hollywood' started to end, however it was in production for 3 years and it was set to release on Coppola's 38th birthday, April 7 1977. Compared to this, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

City Of God Openening scene analysis

  City Of God Openening scene analysis Through photography, mise-en-scene, sound, and editing, City Of God conveys the concepts of disorder and anarchy in the favella to the audience. This is demonstrated in the first scene, when the gang is chasing the chicken. The first thing we see in the movie, for example, is a knife being sharpened against a stone. Knives are normally hazardous things, and the fact that it is being sharpened against a stone suggests a barbaric lifestyle: this is foreshadowing Lil Z's brutal lifestyle, which he imposes on his gang through proxy. This quickly builds suspense and makes the spectator question the characters' motives. The editing heightens the suspense by using almost whiplash-inducing, flashing cuts between the knife and the dark screen, reinforcing the sense of urgency. Normally, a barbecue would be a joyful, tranquil, and familiar sight; but, the tight camera angles and fast cuts disrupt this. The sequence cuts back and forth between sever...
Post a Comment
Read more