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.
Tim Burton was born in Burbank, California, to Jean and Bill Burton. His mother owns a small, cat themed gift shop in Burbank called Cats Plus and his father works for the Burbank Park and Recreation Department. He has one younger brother, Daniel, but they rarely talk. There is not much known about the relationship between Burton and his family. Upon being asked about his family, “he talks with great reluctance . . ...
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.... He uses his work as a form of therapy and puts his heart and soul into anything he touches. The pain from being unaccepted by his peers and family is put into his work. His nightmares from the past come out on paper. Without the judgment and pain thrown at him, he could have never been as great as he is today. Every aspect of his work has been affected by his life, whether it be relationships, being pushed down, or feeling alone. He has rose from the ashes of his past, taken all of the pain and turned it into something truly beautiful.
Works Cited
“Biography.” The Tim Burton Collective. Web. 15 March 2011.
Burton, Tim. The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories. New York, NY:
HarperCollins Publisher Inc., 1997. Print.
Hanke, Ken. “Tim Burton.” Films in Review1992. Vol 43, 11-12. Print.
Wilner, Norman. “Tim Burton.” The Toronto Star 1991. Print.
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.
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.
Good Morning Teachers and students. Today I will be exploring Tim Burton’s creative world, and how he looks closely at the outsider character to deepen our understanding of the world. You might wonder why it is that Burton so consistently portrays outsider characters in his films. As an Auteur, he strives to show us the outsider in a more familiar and close up way, and comments on the way that conformity can often lead to unhappiness. Burton chooses to show the outsider to us using a mixture of Gothic and German Expressionistic elements, such as the
Tim Burton’s films depict his lashing back from a tortured childhood. Somehow, his movies tell his story. His first big budget movie, Batman, was a huge hit. He then chose to make Edward Scissorhands, his most personal film. Despite the fact that Batman was a hit, movie executives were reluctant to give Burton authorization. His use of cinematic techniques displays his unique style.
Tim Burton directed many of the famous movie like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” or “Edward Scissorhands” as a director. He uses many of the cinematic techniques to establish moods and tones. The moods and tones of his movies are dark and sometimes interesting because of his experience and influence from Walt Disney and Dr.Seuss. Tim Burton uses lighting, sound and zoom to establish his own unique gothic style.
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.
...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.
Director Tim Burton has led an interesting life, dealing with fantasy, versus reality. Or, what is normal and abnormal. Burtons very unique style of directing has been put throughout his Hollywood produced movies using cinematic techniques such as sound/music, camera shots, and color. These techniques were used in Burtons popular movies such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Edward Scissorhands”, and “Alice in Wonderland”, “Nightmare before Christmas”, and many more.
Tim Burton said in an interview that when he was a kid he would watch all kind of monster movies. “My parents said I started watching those movies before I could even walk.”As a kid he loved horror movies and he liked drawing pictures. He said he did not care what people thought of his drawings and just drew them his own way. His drawings also show his love for horror because they are all unique and creepy looking. Some of his pictures are based on the movies he directed. He started directing at twenty years old. He was very interested in animation. One of his first films was Batman. Most of the films he directed have a gothic horror aspect. I believe since his childhood was all about horror movies, he gained an appreciation for those films and applied his passion in the films he directed. "Vincent Price, Edgar Allan Poe, those monster movies, those spoke to me. You see somebody going through that anguish and that torture –things you identify with –and it acts as a kind of therapy, a release. (Tim Burton 17).”Besides the fact that he watched horror movies, the place where he lived influenced him as well. The dark and light aspects of life have always fascinated Tim Burton, consistently arguing that one cannot exist without the other: ‘life is an incredible jumble of being funny and sad and dramatic and melodramatic and goofy and everything’. During his childhood in suburban Burbank, Burton found the
Social outcasts and misfits are often overlooked in society in daily life, however, there are some who rise to glory. Movie director Tim Burton is one of those outcasts. While many people like him are shunned for their strange, and in Burton’s case, disturbing views and ideas, Burton rose to distinction with his creative ideas and movies. In Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, some of the main characters have made strides to success, without standard social skills. In Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tim Burton uses high key lighting and long shots to show that while some people are affected by their isolation, some can emerge from it and become influential members of their
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“Visions are worth fighting for. Why spend your life making someone else’s dreams?” These are the words of Tim Burton, a renowned director who plays by his own rules when creating a story for the big screen. Growing up different from most kids, Burton was influenced by many unique people and movies such as Edgar Allen Poe, Dr. Seuss, and German Expressionist films. He used their styles to create many memorable films himself, such as Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland. In these recognizable blockbusters, like most of Burton’s movies, the use of satire and visual features are present to support the thematic concept of conformity vs. individuality.
Director Tim Burton has directed many films. He started out working at Disney, but shortly after he decided to make his own films. He split away from Disney because they wouldn’t let him add the scariness and darkness he has in his films. After he left he created many great films and also developed his own style. He uses many cinematic techniques in his films for example he uses close-up camera angles on symbolic items, he uses music to show foreshadowing, and he uses lighting and color to show mood
” … an auteur is able to maintain a consistency of style and theme by working against the constraints of the Hollywood mode of production.” – Warren Buckland (2008)