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Tim burton cinematic techniques essay
Tim burton cinematic techniques essay
Tim burton cinematic techniques essay
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In many of Tim Burton’s works, he uses many different cinematic elements to create an emotional effect in the film. It could be something as complicated as the way the shot was taken, or the lighting, to something as simple as the music or sound effects. It seems like almost everything in Burton’s films has a hidden meaning. Burton’s creative background of growing up painting and drawing, and his time at CalArts had a chance to shine in his films, and he definitely used his talents to their full extent. In Burton’s films, he uses the magic of editing, camera position and many, many other factors to set the mood of the story he is telling. One of Burton’s many great uses of editing to set the mood are his uses of medium shots during scenes of tension or conflict. A great example of this would be the movie Corpse Bride, where Burton uses medium shots during the first wedding scene in the movie to convey how much tension is in the scene, due to the fact that Victor, the main character, cannot seem to say his vows correctly. The medium shot that is taken helps show that this is a major part of the story, and that marriage is going to be a major plot device in the movie. …show more content…
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Burton uses low key throughout most of the movie to create a dark undertone to the movie, alongside the dark character design of Willy Wonka. The low key lighting makes even the smallest rooms seem expansive and infinite, or they can create the opposite effect. It is used in both ways in this movie, using lighting techniques to their full extent. This can create an effect of making the characters in the movie seem small and meaningless, or it could make the room they are in seem very small, so that it looks as if they are trapped in
Individuality is rejection, whether it be a rejection of society or a rejection by society. Burton explores the consequences that can derive from rejection and how appearances may differ from reality. The work of Tim Burton consists of a unique style unlike any other. Not only do his films convey his ideas of individuality to the audience, they are done in a distinctive Burton way. Burton’s style of the formal elements of German Expressionism, gothic horror, and unique characters allow him to convey his ideas.
People are constantly being judged and pressured to change to fit society’s standards. In Tim Burton films, there is always one character that does not fit the mold. These outcast characters in the movies Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Edward Scissorhands are strange and isolated from the world. Despite the outcast’s difficulties, misfit characters like Edward and Wonka go on to be the hero of the story. Therefore, Burton uses many different cinematic techniques to illustrate that one does not need to conform to society in order to have a happy and successful life.
Using the production elements of symbolism; especially hands themselves, and the use of allusion to elements from other genres; particularly those from fairytale and gothic romance/horror films, Tim Burton has directed the film in such a manner to illustrate, emphasise and ridicule the materialism and lack of imagination of society. The film however, is prominently a satire which has certain elements from fairytale, comedy and horror genres. Through the choices made by the director, the audience is invited to become aware of the inhumanity present in the way society functions, especially in its prejudiced treatment towards people who do not conform. The use of allusion in Edward Scissorhands is one of the most important choices in production that has been made by director Tim Burton. In order to fully appreciate and understand the plot, the movie is dependant on the audience being able to recognise certain references and elements emulated from other films.
...and camera movements creatively. He uses camera angles to show the intensity of the influence of the characters. Burton not only uses lighting for visuals, but also uses it to add depth to the character. Moreover, Burton uses sound to make the audience empathize with the characters. He uses flashbacks to explain to us why the characters act in a certain way. His camera movements shaped meaning into scenes. The odd characters in his movies seem to reflect a bit about himself. For instance, he felt like an outcast during his childhood, similar to Edward in Edward Scissorhands. He was a lonely sort of person like Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He had a peculiar attraction to supernatural things like Lydia in Beetlejuice. Although Burton has an extraordinary way of composing his movies together, it’s what makes his movies very original and intriguing.
For example, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Burton implements dim lighting during meaningful moments and bright lighting during more vibrant moments. This effectively conveys the tone set for the scene and maintains a clear balance in the scene. This helps the audience clearly understand the scene’s characteristics and its meaning to the film. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands (1990) Burton utilizes lighting to set contrast between the characters. The superficial town is set in a bright, sunny setting, however, the lives the characters lead are quite the opposite of bright. These individuals spend their free time judging others and have no individuality whatsoever. Furthermore, Edward, one of the only characters who is kindhearted, is portrayed in dull, dark lighting. The lighting contrasts with his sweet personality to emphasize who is accepted and who is not. This contrast helps the audience understand the contradicting worlds of Edward and the frivolous town. In addition, in Big Eyes (2014) Burton implements lighting to show the slow transition of Margaret Keane’s life. The lighting depicts the dulling of her life as she faces troubles in her life. The use of lighting here helps the audience see the clear transition in Margaret Keane's life and clearly understand the conflict in her life. Similarly, Burton utilizes lighting in his films
A person does not usually pay attention to cinematic techniques used in a film because one does not think of the details in the movie. These details are a key part in creating the mood and tone. Tim Burton uses similar techniques in his movies to create a suspenseful mood. Many instances of low key lighting were used to create a suspenseful mood. Along with low key lighting, low and high camera angles were used to show authority and importance. Lastly, non-diegetic sound was used to create a dramatic effect while still making the mood suspenseful.
Most people tend to look at their glass have empty then to look at their glass half full. Tim Burton on the other hand, looks at his glass over-filled with mysterious sea monsters that lurk in the deep abyss of his glass. Most people identify Burton’s movies as dark, unusual, and spine-chilling, but his movies always end with the main character earning success and gratification. Since, Burton has a well-blended twist to his movies, he is a well-known and
Indisputably, Tim Burton has one of the world’s most distinct styles when regarding film directing. His tone, mood, diction, imagery, organization, syntax, and point of view within his films sets him apart from other renowned directors. Burton’s style can be easily depicted in two of his most highly esteemed and critically acclaimed films, Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Burton ingeniously incorporates effective cinematic techniques to convey a poignant underlying message to the audience. Such cinematic techniques are in the lighting and editing technique categories. High key and low key relationships plus editing variations evinces the director’s elaborate style. He utilizes these cinematic techniques to establish tone mood, and imagery in the films.
“One person's craziness is another person's reality.” –Tim Burton. A well respected director Tim Burton has always been known for the ability to send a strong universal message. In one of his most widespread movie, Edward Scissor Hands he reveals his true potential as a filmmaker to show how society can treat an outsider. Edward Scissor Hands Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and many more of his creations, Tim Burton uses lighting, and camera movements to depict a unique gothic cinematic experience. The appearance of a person is only an illusion, the inside is the truth of someone.
...e his ideas a fresh breathe of air, but they have a deeper meaning and are a breeding ground for thought and consideration. His reoccurring theme of individuality, which is supported by symbolism in his works, makes for relatable characters and situations. The ability to make a man with scissors for hands or a skeleton into a character that is relevant to one’s current life is special; not many people could pull it off. Burton gracefully blended his influences of Edgar Allan Poe-like characters and Dr. Seuss inspired scenery to create cinematic works that affected people of all ages. He may have been an outcast as a child, but what once was a flaw now makes him stand out from other directors. Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare before Christmas are only a portion of the films in which he wove a deep threaded theme promoting individuality and being true to oneself.
On August 25, 1958, Timothy Walter Burton was born (“Biography”). Burton had a painful childhood in which the relationship with his parents and brother was nonexistent (Morgenstern). Through his intense feeling of isolation, his visual talent began to develop. The comfort found in hobbies such as writing and drawing led him to attend the California Institute of the Arts which led him to his first job in any artistic field at the Disney Animation Studios (“Biography”). Burton has since been referred to as one of the most visually gifted writers, artists, and filmmakers that America has seen (Hanke). His short stories, poems, and film scripts are centered on an inner darkness which he has been slowly acquiring since his childhood. He throws himself into everything he writes and makes even the simplest characters have a deep, complex meaning. His famous darkness and symbolism is shown in his book The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories. The book contains a collection of his short stories, poems, and illustrations about a variety of fictional characters that can be compared to Burton and his life. Tim Burton’s home life and previous hardships have made a significant impact on his work. In my paper, I will draw parallels to his life and work as well as prove that there is reasoning and beauty in the way he is.
One popular camera technique used in films is panning. Camera panning can emphasize emotion in films. According to a writer on camera techniques, "Following the subject's gaze down to the floor may symbolize rejection or desperation and loss. The moves work because they are related to your story" (Stevenson). In the movie Requiemfor a Dream, panning came into play in a particularly important scene. Marion, a main character, was walking down a hallway. She just had sex with someone she didn't like to get some money for drugs. The camera was right in front of her face, and portrayed the emptiness in her eyes. She was glancing towards the floor and looked like she was going to throw up. The camera also followed her face so closely, that you could tell how fast she was walking. The panning portrayed her feelings and actions so well, that it made the scene more interesting. It was a lot better than just seeing a view of someone head-on.
Tim Burton's style can show the character's emotion, for example, in the movie Edward Scissorhands, when Ed first saw Kim in one of the pictures, Ed had a huge smile in his face, making him happy because he thinks that Kim looks beautiful. The audience thinks that's loving and it that it's kind-hearted. Another time Tim uses a close-up is in the movie Corpse Bride, he uses the close-up when a man was running away from a monster that was chasing him in a dark and scary forest. While the man was running there was always a close-up on his face to show his expression of the ghost girl that was chasing him. Now I
Tim Burton once said, “Anybody with artistic ambitions is always trying to reconnect with the way they saw things as a child.” He values various cinematic techniques such as lighting, sound, and camera angles conceive mood, tone, and fantasy in his movies. If he wanted a happy scene, he would make the lighting and music more upbeat, on the other hand, for a dark, gloomy scene, he would have dreary and obscure music. I will further explain how he creates his own world.
In the film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, every time there was a close up of Augustus Gloop in the candy room, sinister music would play. This foreshadowed that something bad was going to happen to him in that room. It puts the viewer on edge and creates a mood of suspense because they don’t know what is going to happen. He also uses music to foreshadow events in the movie Edward Scissorhands. Every time Edward saw Kim happy, angelic music would play which foreshadowed that something would happen between them and also gave you a hint about his feelings towards her. Burton used music to show foreshadowing in the movie Dark Shadows as well. When Josette was walking toward the edge of the cliff suspenseful music played create a mood of suspense and fear that Barnabas wouldn’t make it in time and she would fall to her death. One of the many other cinematic techniques Burton often uses in his films is using lighting and color to show