Performance

• What was Keaton's nickname and why was it given to him?

  'The Great Stone Face' due to his deadpan expression
• How did Keaton learn to do the dead-pan expression?

  When performing in vaudeville with his family, as he noticed that when he did not emote at the end of the gag, audiences found the gag funnier
• How is he seen as different from other silent comedians?

  His deadpan persona differ from other silent comedians like Charlie Chaplin who often used a range of exaggerated facial expressions to heighten his gags
• How does Keaton emote?

  Use of large eyes - His face and eyes imply innocence as he seems unperturbed by the hostile world around him
• Why was Keaton's more subtle style a typical new trend in the silent cinema from 1912 for a 'verisimilar' acting style

  As actors would mimic everyday human responses in a slightly more realistic fashion. This contrasts with the 'histrionic' style popular before 1912 where actors used broad and exaggerated movements that bore no relation to how people respond in real life
• What kind of actor was Keaton?

  A physical, agile actor who incorporated his acrobats into his films and performed all his own stunts
• What and how does his body become a element of?

  An element of mise-en-scene as he positions himself within the architecture and setting

  Example: where Keaton is being chased by a dog through a ruined building, In Scarecrow, Keaton leaps through windows and across the ledges of the building with ease