Tim Burton, a director of numerous successful films, takes you through many stories of unique characters. Although, despite their differences, one still could point out similarities throughout each movie. This is caused by Tim Burton’s cinematic style. This specific style is influenced by his favorite childhood author, Dr. Seuss. Tim Burton uses lighting, camera movements, and editing to build a suspenseful but also calming mood all at once. Burton attempts to convey the contrasting message of darkness mixed within innocence throughout each of his films. To begin, Tim Burton’s use of variant lighting creates a contrasting mood of peacefulness within darkness. Burton uses low key lighting, and side lighting throughout Charlie and the …show more content…
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Burton uses shot reverse shot to build suspense and expectancy for what is going to occur next. When Charlie brings home the ticket, shot reverse shot was used as he shows his family the ticket. This proves the dark but uplifting mood, for this poor family has won the golden ticket based off of luck. In Edward Scissorhands, Burton also uses shot reverse shot to build suspense. Shot reverse shot is used between Kim and Edward, Edward while he creates the ice sculpture. This shows the change between their relationship, and her opinion of Edward. Kim no longer views him as a dark monster, she now views him as an actual person. Shot Reverse shot is used in Big Fish as well. This editing technique shows the relationships between characters in the film. When Will comes to visit his sick father, Edward, shot reverse shot is used between them to represent the father, son relationship. This builds a warm but also dark mood, for you can see the tension between them. Flashbacks were frequently used in all three films. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, flashbacks are used to show Willy Wonka’s dark past. In Edward Scissorhands, flashbacks are used to show his sad past involving the inventor. In Big Fish, flashbacks are used as Edward tells his stories. Flashbacks in each movie are used to show the dark, dangerous pasts of each
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.
Tim Burton, in Edward Scissorhands, uses high key and low key lighting. For example, Peg’s town is flooded with high key lighting in order to make the outside seem joyful and peaceful. The outside may look cheery and bring, but most of the people living there were not the most pleasant people. The women gossip and create rumors; the men are rude and conceited. He used low key lighting in order to make the audience feel anxious about the upcoming events. An example would be when Peg walked up to the top floor of the mansion and noticed that someone was sitting in the corner. Edward’s shadow may have given him a frightening appearance, as he is a ‘man’ with scissors for hands. But Edward was a kind and caring gentleman. In conclusion, he used reverse lighting to add an irreplaceable, distinctive quality to his movies.
For example, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) many scenes cut back and forth during conversation. Long shots are used during important scenes. High angle shots and low angle shots are used to portray inferiority and superiority. Also, truck is used to follow the contestants in the factory. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands (1990) black and white images during the opening scenes, and long shots are used to emphasize important conversations. Also, movement is very transitioned in the beginning, but gets choppier as the end nears. Zoom is also used to emphasize expressions and truck is used when Edward walks or runs. In addition, in Big Eyes (2014) the camera focuses on characters and their expressions. Also, Truck is used when Margaret walks down the streets of San Francisco. When artwork is being shown, the eyes are emphasized, then the reactions are depicted. High angle shots are used to depict Margaret's inferiority to Walter ,whereas, low angle shots are used to to depict Walter’s superiority to Margaret. In all these films, camera movements and shots are used to distance the audience or bring them closer to the characters of the film. Also, camera movements and shots can be used to emphasize a character’s position, status, rank, etc…This helps the audience understand the character and their role
A cinematic technique Burton often uses is low key lighting. In his opening credits during Big Fish and Edward Scissorhands, the credits were dull and dark. An example would be in Edward Scissorhands. Edward’s house was in low key lighting
The camera techniques and various other lighting and sound effects used are carefully selected in order to portray the apt emotion in the right amount, without overdoing any of it. Alfred Hitchcock loved to show the emotion of fear along with lots of suspense in his films.
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.
Lighting is one of the most essential techniques to indicate the mood of a movie. In Edward Scissor Hands, Burton blends up the lighting with high and low key lighting to add more emotions to his characters and brighten their personalities. Burton uses the high key lighting technique in the town that Peg lives in. Revealing it as bright and cheerful presenting I to be flawless, but that is only an illusion. In reality the town is hateful and does not accept others, the women create packs t...
Tim Burton uses the cinematic technique of lighting in order to flawlessly portray dark, mysterious and creepy scenes. In his movie, Edward Scissorhands, Burton effectively uses low key lighting in the scene where Peg enters Edward’s mansion and uses it in the opening credits to create tense and suspenseful scenes. Burton also uses high key lighting to his advantage when the neighbors and Peg threw a party for Edward. The scene was flooded with light to create a scene of happiness, amusement and surprises during the party. His use of lighting though, is taken to new levels in his other movie Frankenweenie. Although the whole movie is flooded with darkness, you can see when the scenes get darker or lighter. Burton uses low key lighting in the scene where Victor Frankenstein’s beloved dog Sparky is trapped inside the burning windmill while attempting to rescue another dog. The scene is flooded with darkness in order to create a frightening scene full of suspense. Burton also uses high key lighting during the scene where Sparky is revived by the New Holland’s citizens after the devastating fire that “killed” Sparky to create a scene ...
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 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
Like in Edwards Scissorhands when Edward is sitting at the dinner table looking at the family, this was a point-of-view shot. To me, I think Edward was examining his new family that he would be living with and wondering what they would be like. Or when they did a close up on Edward when he was holding the hands, he looked frightful and weak, vulnerable but still powerful. In my point of view, Edward was lost and he didn’t know right from wrong because of being isolated for so many years. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tim Burton utilizes a high angle shot to show the 5 golden ticket winners standing with their parents outside to show how small and powerless the people are compared to Wonka’s factory. These camera angles and shots brought mood and tone of these scenes because it shows where the scene is and what the background is or how scenes are close-ups so you can see the details in
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
Tim burton is just one out of a lot of amazing directors but, people enjoy his work for not only his amazing story lines nor the famous actors that he uses. But it's the little things that make the movies so interesting. Just like the way he changes the lighting to make the mood change or the way the costumes fit the personalities of the characters, and the symbolism that he uses like light vs. dark. Tim burton also uses a strange type of scenery to show a difference between different people. Plus his style is more of a dark, mysterious, and dramatic which can give a story more meaning.
” … 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)