Cinematic Techniques In Tim Burton's Film, Inward Scissorhands '

Growing up movies like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Corpse Bride might as well have been cult classics. We watched them like they were going out of style. I always noticed something similar about the movies, and as it turns out, there is a pattern the films seem to follow. The works of the famous director, Tim Burton, follows a pattern of cinematic techniques such as shot reverse shot, lighting usage, and flashback that all string throughout his films. The cinematic technique of shot reverse shot is often used in Burton’s films to peek into the character’s perspective and emotions. In these movies you probably noticed the humorous moment I call “The Blank Stare.” For example, in Edward Scissorhands there is a scene when Peg is trying to cover his scars with makeup. As she is doing this, the editing shows Edward’s perspective, seeing her whip the makeup on him. It then goes to a shot of his face and we see a very confused blank stare. It returns to the lady and repeats to elude a hilarious scene. In the same

In all three films previously mentioned, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and Big Fish, the use of flashback was salient. In Burton’s 2003 film, Big Fish, the flashbacks took role in Edward Bloom’s barmy tales. The alleged memories of his life was told through this technique. It was most prominent in this film as it basically carried the entire premise of the film. Likewise, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka’s flashback lead us into the mind of the mysterious candy inventor. Withal, it also made it’s appearances in Edward Scissorhands. The previous life of the strange Edward would be completely unknown without this cinematic technique. It answered many plot holes namely, “What happened to Edward’s inventor?” In final analysis, Tim Burton uses proficiency of Flashback to fill plot holes not answered in the film’s main story