Tim Burton's Use Of Theoretic Techniques In Gothic Films

Emily Liddick

Mrs. Campbell

English Honors 2

27 December 2016

Gothic Literature Cinema

Tim Burton is an American film producer, artist, writer, and animator. Three of his most popular created movies include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and The Corpse Bride. In each of these movies, Tim Burton displays elements of stylistic techniques that improve the quality of the movie as a whole. These techniques include lighting, editing, angles, movements, sound, and framing. The angle at which a scene is filmed helps the audience connect with the characters. The lighting of a particular scene helps create the mood and tone by which the audience views the movie. Sounds that can or cannot be heard in the movie foreshadow and show relationships, actions, and characteristics of the characters. The framing and type of shot of a scene can highlight details and make the audience feel that they are with the character. Types of movement can reveal a personal moment about a character and show importance of a certain scene. Finally, the editing techniques used in a movie also give more

information about characters, or the scene, and helps clarify and explain. Each of these cinematic techniques are crucial and important when filming a movie.
To begin with, in all three movies Tim Burton displays the use of low key lighting. This is when a scene is flooded with darkness or sadness to create suspense or suspicion within the audience. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, low key lighting is used when the ticket winners and their family member are floating down the river of chocolate. This is done by creating a mood of mystery of what’s on the other side of the tunnel. Next, in the movie Edward Scissorhands, the use of low key lighting is displayed when showing the inside of Edward’s house. This is because his house was gloomy which created a mood of darkness and sadness, and created suspense within the audience. Finally, in The Corpse Bride, Tim Burton successfully displays the use of low key lighting when the priest puts out the candle. This then makes darkness which creates suspense as to what’s going to happen next. The stylistic technique of low key lighting is key in creating a successful movie scene, because it helps set the mood and tone amongst the audience. Not only do all three movies display low key lighting, but they also make use of the low angle shot.
The low angle shot is when the camera films from below a subject and makes an object or character look bigger. This makes the main focal point of that scene seem powerful, strong, and threatening. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the low camera angle is used when showing the size of the chocolate factory. The camera views the factory from a low angle to make it seem strong, powerful, and like a special place. Also, in Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton shows the use of a low angle shot when Peg first stands outside of the gate at Edward’s castle. This was to done to make the castle look intimidating and powerful. Finally, in The Corpse Bride, the low angle shot is presented when it shows the butterfly in the jar. This is to make it look bigger and reveal a deeper importance and meaning behind it. The low angle shot is important in filming a successful movie because it makes a subject look bigger which can reveal a deeper meaning behind it. Not only is low key lighting and low angle shot key in filming a movie, but Tim Burton also displays the stylistic technique of non-diegetic sounds.
Non-diegetic sounds are sounds that cannot be heard by the characters but is designed for the audience’s reaction only. It’s meant to help create the mood, and foreshadowing, for the audience. In Edward Scissorhands, non-diegetic sound is presented when Peg is driving up to Edward’s house dark and scary music is being played. This sound gives the scene a more mysterious atmosphere by only allowing the audience to hear it and creating suspense. Also, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tim Burton displays the use of non-diegetic music when the truck is delivering candy. This mysterious music gives the audience a sense of suspense as to if there could be a golden ticket in the chocolate bars. Finally, in The Corpse Bride, non-diegetic sound is presented when Victor tells Emily that he would never marry her and she begins to cry. During this scene, sad music begins to play in the background that only the audience can hear. Therefore, this would be an example of the use of non-diegetic sound. Low key lighting, low angle shot, and non-diegetic sounds are all key stylistic elements in filming a successful movie.
Low key lighting, low angle shot, and non-diegetic sounds are all key element in filming a successful movie.

Tim Burton displays these stylistic elements in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and The Corpse Bride. Low key lighting is presented in these three movies by displaying the darkness of the tunnel and the gloominess in Edward’s house. Also, low angle shot is shown throughout these movies by looking up at the factory, Edward’s house, and the butterfly jar to reveal the large significance of each subject. Finally, non-diegetic sound is used in these movies by playing background music to go along with the scene that only the audience can hear and help create the mood. It’s important to use these stylistic elements when filming a movie because it helps the audience better understand a certain scene and reveal a deeper meaning behind each

one.

Works Cited
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Tim Burton, Charlie Bucket, Village Roadshow Pictures, July 10, 2005.
Edward Scissorhands. Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands, Twentieth Century Fox Film Cooperation, December 7, 1970.
The Corpse Bride. Tim Burton, Emily, Warner Bros. Pictures, September 16, 2005.