Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
12
Using the Body
Silent comedy and mime
Any animator can learn from the silent comedians. It's these great physical performers with
whom I have most empathy, through their use of body language and mime and the all too
real tricks and stunts. My personal favourite is Buster Keaton. With his lack of expression, the
totally l exible body and the pushing of his physicality, it is easy to see parallels with what we
do with puppets. A favourite sequence is in
The Playhouse
, where he plays all members of the
orchestra, the people in the boxes, and then a complete minstrel show, all beautifully in sync
with each other, with no suggestion of any joins in the screens. A duet he dances with himself
is so precise that it's hard to believe he had to stop the camera and start dancing again on a
Buster Keaton and that falling house:
Steamboat Bill Jnr
(Richard Haynes).
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