Edward Scissorhands Film Techniques Essay

Film techniques are the most important factor in a movie. Although things like dialogue and actions represent how the character is feeling, film techniques let the viewers know how to feel. In Edward Scissorhands multiple different film techniques are used to demonstrate emotions of sadness, anger, awkwardness, bliss, excitement and more. Without these, the movie wouldn’t be the same, and it would make it seem boring and emotionless. The film techniques in this movie highlight the important factors, and enforce the emotions one is meant to feel.

The scene in which Peg goes to the mansion on the hill for the first time uses multiple different film techniques to give feelings of suspense, uneasiness, and worry. When she first walks up to the entrance of the house, a low angle shot is used to emphasize the height of the door compared to her, and make it look more scary. As Peg walks into the mansion a long shot is used to show the difference in size between her and the house. Throughout the entire mansion scene non diegetic sound is used to demonstrate those feelings of suspense again. The non diegetic sound lets the viewers know exactly how to feel, and that adds to the enjoyment of the movie. Diegetic sound is also used with the creaking of the floorboards when she’s in the attic, which adds to the creepiness of the mansion. All these film techniques are vital to the

emotions viewers are meant to feel in this scene.

In the scene where they attempt to rob Jim’s parents multiple different film techniques are used to add to the feelings of fear, suspense, and uneasiness.

When the alarms first go off a closeup is used on Edward’s face to emphasize on his fear and worry about the alarms. Also as the others are running away, a shaky cam is used to show the nervousness that they all feel from the fear of getting caught. Non diegetic sound is also used to add to all the emotions that are being felt in this scene. All these techniques help the viewers know how to feel and overall add to the quality of the

scene.

The final scene in the mansion is the climax of the movie, and provides the most suspense. The way Tim Burton used film techniques to make the most of this scene makes it more enjoyable and gives off more emotions. Similar to the beginning of the film, another long shot is used, but on Kim this time instead of Peg, to show the difference once again in size between Kim and the mansion. Closeups are also often used throughout the scene to enhance each character's emotions, and give you a better understanding of what they’re feeling. A high angle shot is used on Jim after he falls out the window to show the height of the fall, and this high angle shot is also a point of view shot to show what Edward and Kim see when they look out the window. Lastly non diegetic sound is once again used, to add to the fear you feel for Edwards and Kim’s life. Tim Burton’s use of these techniques not only helped portray the drama in the scene, but it also made it one of the most exciting and suspenseful part of the movie.

Multiple different film techniques are used throughout the entire film, and they are what make this movie so amazing. These techniques are what make sure that the viewer knows what’s important, and helps them understand all the emotions each character feels. If it weren’t for these techniques, then this movie would not be nearly as intriguing and entertaining. Tim Burton showed all the emotions of sorrow, anger, confusion, awkwardness and more; All while not taking anything away from the film by going overboard with the techniques. These techniques are what got this movie a 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, these techniques are what got it to be the first of many collaborations of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. If it weren’t for these techniques this movie would not be nearly as amazing and as engaging.