Timothy Walter Burton is an American film director, producer, artist, a writer and an animator who was born Burbank, California, 1958. He has been known for his dark, gothic, unsettling and spooky fantasy films such as Edward Scissorhands (ES), Charlie and the Chocolate factory (CATCF), Corpse Bride, Big Fish,...among others. As a child , Burton was influenced by Dr. Seuss's grisly fairy tales and Roald Dahl’s dark children’s stories so his films are characterized by a somewhat subtly frightening method of childhood storytelling to remind his audience of the age-old morals lessons by an unhidden encouragement of the delightful escapism into worlds of imagination and fantasy that are so dear to every young heart. Tim Burton has made many achievements, …show more content…
For example, in the opening credits of ES, snow was falling everywhere, distributed so that it was covering the whole screen. The titles were also modified, written in two lines and opened up like a pair of scissor, hence the name Edward Scissorhands. Noticeably, the name Edward Scissorhands was an aptronym for scissors. This suggested that Edward Scissorhands literally had scissors for his hands. This way, Tim Burton was able to deliver to the audiences something man-made, spooky, mysterious yet funny and weird to look at. A trace that was noticeably illustrated in CATCF when Charlie found the last piece of toothpaste cap and decided to place it onto Willy Wonka’s head, foreshadowing to a weird-looking and crazy yet funny figure as Willy Wonka we will see later on in the …show more content…
For example, in ES he used dark colors for Edward’s mansion when appeared in Peg’s mirror, which juxtaposed with the light, colorful and well-organized neighborhood in front of her eyes, this symbolizes an unsettling and disturbing look to Edward’s mansion. But on the other hand, the viewers might find themselves easy and delightful around the neighborhood with houses and yards, where everyone was all happy and well-dressed while Edward was wearing a weird black armor-suit with black messy hair, and a pale face with scars covering,..this distincted Edward and the neighborhood, creating a juxtaposition that add onto an already disturbing and scary look to Edward. This made the viewers feel somewhat worried for Edward’s future interactions, because his appearance wasn’t quite appealing. Also in CATCF, the town where Charlie lived including the whole factory was rather plain and sad looking with only black and white vibes. Even though, from the inside of the factory, it was gorgeous with variety of colorful and bright imagery and visuals. Tim Burton’s choice of contradicting the colors helped the viewers understand how badly Charlie must have wanted the Golden Ticket and symbolizes Willy Wonka’s personality. Tim Burton delicately played with colors in both of these situations to demonstrate and also to contradict two elements deliberated through writings,
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, it is 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. His views of individuality are evident through the work of his film 'Edward Scissorhands' and short film 'Vincent'.
Edward Scissorhands is a film written and directed by Tim Burton and Caroline Thompson. It tells the story of an outsider with scissors for hands trying to fit in to an unknown society that judges based on appearance. The film explains how in most societies if you do not act the norm as everyone else you will be rejected and frond upon. I believe that like in the film people nowadays people are less likely to express individuality and would rather conform to a group than feel like an outcast. Through the films elements that the director uses I will focus on the colors, costumes and sound of the film that show the differences of an outsider.
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.
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.
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.
Have you ever wondered why a person in a negative situation such as a villain or less fortunate is seen in dim lighting or dark colors? Or have you ever wondered why a character in a positive situation such as a person accepted by society or a wealthy person is seen in high lighting wearing in bright colors? Director Tim Burton uses contrasting colors and lighting to foreshadow people in his movies. I will show examples of these in “Edward Scissorhand” and “Charlie and Chocolate Factory”.
in several of Tim Burton’s films such as: Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, and Alice in
When auteurs craft their work, they provide themes to the audience. These may be about love, death, or the importance for family, among other things. They use these themes to provoke an emotional response within an audience, or send home a message to the viewer. Edward Scissorhands is certainly a prime example of showing how themes influence a film. The themes that Tim Burton addresses in Edward Scissorhands are those of the connections that we have with other people, and the relationships and the bonds that we form with them. Non-conformity is used in the film as a highly prioritised theme, as well as the importance of friendship and the portrayed innocence that Johnny Depp's character reveals to us. Through this film, the themes of relationships
Tim Burton is a well known, American film producer and director. His films are famous worldwide for their eccentric and uneasy plots with a hint of childlike innocence. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and Corpse Bride are just a few of his many films that have been appealing to the world for years. Each one of his films never fails to show off his strange and eerie style, along with his love of fantasy and wonder. Tim Burton's unique and creative style is effectively shown through his use of lighting, framing, and sound.
Often times, people judge those who diverge from the typical ideals that societies have created in place for them. Although, director Tim Burton challenges societies’ norms through his work in the film industry and exemplifies his argument through outcast protagonists that alter the perception of normal. The differences, not only in the characters, but the setting as well, are seen as a “peculiar” set of characteristics that make them unique and special. Tim Burton expresses the idea that individuality is preferable to conformity through his use of contrasting settings and misfit protagonists in films such as, Miss Peregrine’s home for Peculiar Children and Edward Scissorhands.
The film Edward Scissorhands shows how society rejects people who are different. This film directed by Tim Burton is about a boy named Edward who lives in an empty mansion. The film shows a community that is quick to judge but slow to distinguish the qualities of Edward. The people in the community are selfish and expect to receive from Edward without giving but regardless of this there are still some who love and care for him. By viewing this film the audience recognises how important it is to give someone a chance to prove themselves before judging them.
Edward Scissorhands, written by Tim Burton, tells the tale of a young man who is lovable, childlike and sensitive, bewildered by the humanity around him, yet is terrifying- someone who has scissors, the deadly weaponry, for hands. Many viewers may read this film as a “Tim Burton” type of fairytale which includes both an alternative aspect and romance. However, through the presentation of mise-en-scene in this film, Burton drives in a much more serious subject of social criticism by establishing two different understandings of life in the movie.
“Vincent Price, Edgar Allan Poe, those monster movies, those spoke to me”, Tim Burton said Disney really influence Tim Burton's career. Burton’s taste on Vincent Price films is no secret. As a child growing up In Burbank California, there was something undeniably fascinating about this playfully creepy actor that Burton latched onto. His early film career was fueled by almost unbelievable good luck, but it's his talent and originality that have kept him at the top of the Hollywood tree. He worked on such films as The Fox and the Hound (1981) and The Black Cauldron (1985). Tim burton creates a dark and sinister mood and tone by using music, camera angle, and movement.