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.
Not a single individual is able to watch a Burton film without noticing the lighting effects and how it significantly contributes to the tone and mood of the entire film. In the movie Edward Scissorhands, one might be overwhelmed with the burst of extravagant colors in the scenery. Indeed this cinematic technique, high key, wholly influences the viewers perception and impression of the town. One can conclude that even though flamboyancy pervades the town, iniquity lurks in all directions and hypocrisy governs the minds of its inhabitants. Irony is harnessed in this film. How can an effulgent town harbor wickedness and Edward with a chilling and gothic complexion radiate innocence and righteousness? Burton uses these opposing conceptions brought about by the contrast of lighting to convey the message that materialism has been ingrained in the mentality of society (at least in the neighborhood in which Burton lived in the past), thus yearning for th...
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...ton never fails to enthrall his vieweres with effective cinematic techniques, such as high key and low key, and flashbacks. By incorporating these cinematic techniques he is defining his style. He uses high and low key relationships to create imagery and symbolism through the effects of irony. The films entertains the viewer while simultaneously illuminating a subtle, yet distinguishable message. Also flashbacks, allow the viewers to comprehend the plot and intensifies the desire in continuing to view the film in order to obtain answers. There are may more cinematic techniques used within the films, and each technique plays a significant role in the film’s infrastructure, however, high key and low key relationships and flashbacks contribute most in defining Tim Burton’s style.
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.
After evaluating the 2081 movie, it is apparent the film elements and techniques are important when defining the mood. The four main techniques used throughout the film were lighting, music, sound, and dialogue.
Since the communist era, the concept of conformity has been tested on humans thinking it would bring a sort of comfort. These regimes rapidly crumbled due to their often authoritarian nature. Following these dictatorships, we often associate conformity with misery. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands, through the characterization of Peg Boggs, the symbolism of Edward’s castle home and the change in Edward’s behaviour, director Tim Burton rejects conformity since it leads to fakeness, boredom, and corruption and, instead, promotes the benefits of authenticity and old habits.
In conclusion, by using the production elements of both allusion and symbolism; director Tim Burton has created the film in such a manner by making deliberate choices in order to invite a certain response. The film is constructed and given greater depth through the allusion to elements from other genres and ridicules the suburbia’s materialism and lack of imagination, which in turn enhances the invited response.
For example, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Burton implements dim lighting during meaningful moments and bright lighting during more vibrant moments. This effectively conveys the tone set for the scene and maintains a clear balance in the scene. This helps the audience clearly understand the scene’s characteristics and its meaning to the film. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands (1990) Burton utilizes lighting to set contrast between the characters. The superficial town is set in a bright, sunny setting, however, the lives the characters lead are quite the opposite of bright. These individuals spend their free time judging others and have no individuality whatsoever. Furthermore, Edward, one of the only characters who is kindhearted, is portrayed in dull, dark lighting. The lighting contrasts with his sweet personality to emphasize who is accepted and who is not. This contrast helps the audience understand the contradicting worlds of Edward and the frivolous town. In addition, in Big Eyes (2014) Burton implements lighting to show the slow transition of Margaret Keane’s life. The lighting depicts the dulling of her life as she faces troubles in her life. The use of lighting here helps the audience see the clear transition in Margaret Keane's life and clearly understand the conflict in her life. Similarly, Burton utilizes lighting in 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
“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.
From the movie "Beetlejuice", The dynamic, insane main character, the darker take on the family lifestyle, the supernatural engaging with the physical world. To "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" a secretive and wildly imaginative man behind the world's most celebrated candy company. All containing Burton's catalog of signature elements. Tim's work with his focus to plot in his movies have given the fans and audience to see the different view of an imaginary world. Giving as well the fictional element of a good story, and lighting, Tim Burton’s signature element has added on a style that changes the way we see on the streets, onto TV. His work should continue to adapt and remake existing material with his signature style.
Tim Burton uses haunting tunes, creating an urge of fear. In the beginning of “Edward Scissorhands” spooky melodies proceed. The awful music and images presents the sense that something is unsuitable. Burton also employs disorganized sound to create a mood as well. In “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” the Oompa-Loompas sing their song every time a child is being taken away. This is a different way to notify the viewer that something is wrong. Sound is a critical part of the way Burton manufactures his films. Another key element of Tim Burton’s is his use of camera movement. In “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” he uses an abundance of abilities to trigger that element. When Willy Wonka opens the door to the edible room the camera zooms in. This increases the enthusiasm and pleasure to the viewer. As he zooms in towards the door, it oscillates open and he transitions to a view of an overhead shot so the entire room can be shown. This demonstrates the attractiveness of the breathtaking experience. Earlier in the movie Tim Burton uses dolly-tracking to announce the Golden Ticket Contest, posters were put up. Dolly-tracking is used to display riders depositing the posters on lamp posts. Burton follows a specific rider as he turns away from the other riders and then the rider staples it to a lamp post. Tim Burton harnesses a certain camera movement to his films to produce the feeling of grotesque and gothic
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.
...successful collaboration of sound, colour, camera positioning and lighting are instrumental in portraying these themes. The techniques used heighten the suspense, drama and mood of each scene and enhance the film in order to convey to the spectator the intended messages.
Tim Burton once said, “Anybody with artistic ambitions is always trying to reconnect with the way they saw things as a child.” He values various cinematic techniques such as lighting, sound, and camera angles conceive mood, tone, and fantasy in his movies. If he wanted a happy scene, he would make the lighting and music more upbeat, on the other hand, for a dark, gloomy scene, he would have dreary and obscure music. I will further explain how he creates his own world.
Color is a powerful tool in film making. What once was only black and white is now a full spectrum of vibrancy. But monochromatism is still an integral artistic choice in film. Blacks and whites in movies and television tend to represent the dark nature of scenes: death, evil, sadness, the macabre. Deep blacks, rich grays, and harsh whites tend to illustrate the Gothic influence of the piece as well as its tone. Adam Barkman, a writer famous for his analysis of films, explains the impact of color in film in his book A Critical Companion to Tim Burton “When we see a particular color, we immediately attach a particular set of meanings to it that is triggered by either our instincts or our memories” (Barkman
” … 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)
Spielberg’s Schindler’s List uses a variety of macro and micro techniques that are effective in eliciting strong emotional response form the spectator. Unlike horror films, which rely on micro techniques to create tension or foreshadowing, Spielberg relies on unconventional techniques that are often juxtaposed to have the spectator feel unsettled. Despite not being a horror film, it is compatible through the lack of violence in the film and the context of the Holocaust. Therefore, as a spectator, it is clear that ‘horror’ in a horror movie differs greatly to ‘horror’ in this particular film because of Spielberg’s raw and authentic style in making the spectator feel uneasy as the narrative progresses.