Polly Rose

Polly Rose is based in the Department of Film and Television at the University of Bristol and co-supervised at the University of Exeter. Her PhD research examines the creative filmmaking process of deadpan comedian Buster Keaton – acclaimed director and star of classic silent comedies including ‘Sherlock Jr’ (1924) and ‘The General’ (1926) – with particular focus on how Keaton’s work as the editor of his own films affected their production and final form. The project considers how the flexibility of Keaton’s working process allowed for greater creativity in his filmmaking, producing films that still resonate with audiences and sell out cinema screenings a hundred years after they were made.

Polly’s practical research methods draw upon her professional experience as a film editor, using editing techniques and technologies old and new to illuminate Keaton’s filmmaking practice, working with a variety of sources in physical and digital archives and examining material aspects of prints and negatives of Keaton’s films. 

Details of Polly’s research outputs and presentations delivered in the UK and internationally can be found here:   

bit.ly/pollyroseresearch

Twitter:                       @theflyingeditor

Instagram:                   @keatonscuttingroom