An advocate of individuality, director Tim Burton says, “One person’s craziness is another person’s reality.” Growing up rather socially inept, the director has always found joy in movies and animation. After graduating from the California Institute of the Arts, he worked for Disney for a year, then left and created his own film production company. Although critics tend to label him as grotesque, his creations often comfort today’s recluses. In his films Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Alice in Wonderland, Director Tim Burton portrays the idea that one’s mind-set, not the circumstances, determine their happiness. This notion develops through style characteristics such as protagonists who use their disabilities to …show more content…
Throughout his films, Burton reveals the joy given off as the protagonists use their adversities to benefit others. Towards the end of Edward Scissorhands, Edward is found in the backyard creating an angel ice sculpture. As he hacks away at the block, flakes of ice float down, much like snow. Kim twirls in this “winter wonderland,” smiling ear to ear. Soft, heavenly music plays, and the bright front lighting on her face unfolds her almost childlike delight. Much like how the rest of the community viewed Edward when he first arrived, Kim starts to notice his integrity in this scene. Despite the fact that all Edward 's actions lately had been rotten and hostile, Kim still cares deeply for him, and sees how big his heart truly is. Her love for him shines bright, looking past his toxic episodes and embracing his good intentions. Kim 's innocence shows that his disability is not automatically deemed a kiss of death, but rather a chance for creativity in the community. This resourcefulness is also seen in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where Wonka is portrayed as a socially awkward man child whose imagination keeps him from holding a productive place in …show more content…
For instance, in Alice in Wonderland, Alice is introduced as an improper girl who doesn 't know what 's good for her. Multiple shot-reverse-shots are used between her and her mother, the twins, and her soon to be in-laws, revealing their disgust as Alice is at her proposal celebration without a corset or stockings. All the while, she asks about nonsense such as wearing a codfish on one 's head. It is these very acts of defiance and random questions that cause her so much trouble with her family and everyone else around her. She is labeled as a child who lacks proper manners, as spontaneous outbursts are not at all a part of Victorian-era etiquette. This identification causes quite the concern about what Alice will make of herself. In general, Alice 's state of mind is like a circle when compared to the linear thinking of her peers. The only one who understood Alice 's brain was her inventive father, but with him gone, her mother is scrambling, trying to decipher her foolishness. Furthermore, in Edward Scissorhands, Edward sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the neighborhood. As Peg drives him away from the castle for the first time, numerous shot-reverse-shots unveil the neighbor’s shock as a strange pale man in all black enters their community. Even without knowing Edward has scissors for hands, the bright colors of their homes, clothing, and yard
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'.
...d traditions, but also blending two distant genres together. The blending of genres gives us ideas about common conventions in films that we do not usually pay attention to, and how they can be manipulated to change the way we think about individuals and groups. Edward Scissorhands dives deeper than just a “Beauty and the Beast” narrative, and influences audiences to explore topics of how the gentlest of souls can be misjudged by their appearance, a seemingly normal community can be the “bad guy” if it only has its personal intentions in mind and no one else’s, and that true love is not about what is on the outside, but rather, what is on the inside. Edward Scissorhands can be considered as one of the most appealing films of the 20th century as it keeps audiences guessing, surprises them at the most unexpected times and breaks conventional film boundaries.
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.
For instance, at the start, Edward enjoys helping others, is nice, gullible and very polite. However, he does not fit in the individualistic town. The townspeople, being egotistical, take advantage of the vulnerable Edward. He is therefore forced against his will to do chores around the town. These tasks include garden sculptures, hairstyles, dog hairstyles, and so on; all of which are fake. The town likes fake ways to promote their conformal lifestyles and to try to differentiate themselves from their neighbour. Meanwhile, the town’s values corrupt Edward and his behaviour drastically changes. His authenticity cannot be accepted by the townspeople: “Furthermore, his work - the garden sculptures, hairstyles and so forth - indicate that he's a highly imaginative... uh... character. It seems clear that his awareness of what we call reality is radically underdeveloped” (Edward Scissorhands). He is considered as a mere character and not a person since he is not like the typical town “person”. Additionally, his authentic personality is categorized as “radically underdeveloped”. The categorization shows at what point the town cannot stand authenticity and takes comfort in its conformity. In contrast, while all the townspeople turn against Edward, Kim’s character evolves into loving the authenticity Edward portrays. The white clothes she starts
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.
In her novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley and the film Edward Scissorhands by Tim Burton their creations have a desire to be loved. Which leads them on a journey of acceptance for themselves and others. Everyone has felt the need to find why they are here on earth; we all search for answers we are no different from them.
Burton uses and how he uses them. I have compared it to another one of
Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein is about a creature born in an unaccepting world. Shelley's idea of Gothicism changed the subgenre of horror, due to its dark look into nature. It became an influence on Tim Burton's movie Edward Scissorhands, moved by the sadness of the creature trying to fit into society, he creates a monster of his own. Mary Shelley and Tim Burton use literary and cinematic elements to show that isolation from society can destroy your relationship with others.
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.
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.
Tim Burton does a great job to show all the charters feelings. Through the whole movie Burton uses music to show the feelings of the charters in the movie. When Kim comes outside when Edward is shaving the ice suture the music was light and happy to show that Kim finely knew she had feelings for Edward. Tim Burton
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, the android-like being portrayed in Tim Burton’s film Edward Scissorhands, is essentially killed off from society because he falls victim to the malicious lies spread by the community and by the hatred that is cultivated by those lies. Although he never physically dies, Edward’s rejection from society leads to a life-long seclusion away from the outside world. The events that lead Edward into this isolation are brought on by a few misunderstood acts that he commits and the negative reception of those acts by an impressionable community. He is caught committing a break-in (a felony that is not completely his fault yet nobody gives him the benefit of the doubt) and is, from then on, seen as a dangerous criminal. He is also deemed a sexual predator because a townswoman claims that he sexually assaulted her. Also, his attraction to and love for Kim (the Bogg family’s daughter) provokes her jealous and violent boyfriend into harming Edward and trying to turn Kim against him. Edward is never given the chance to explain himself of the accused acts and so he finds himself the target of the town’s hatred; a hatred that is based upon and fueled by jealousy, lies, and rumors. The eventual shunning of Edward by the community is not surprising or shocking because Edward never really fits in with society to begin with. However, what is shocking are the justifications of hatred that are used by the community. Their emotions and attitudes are influenced by the lies and jealousies of a few people and by believing in the religious motivations and accusations of the erratic Christian woman who lives in the neighborhood. By being non-human, Edward is immediately suspected of being guilty of all he is accused of. Hi...
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.
Carroll brings these characters to life and makes them seem believable to Alice and the readers. With the help of the characters, there are many different lessons and metaphors that children can relate to. For example, Carrol shows how a child views the adult world, including the rules and social etiquette as well as the terrible habits developed over the course of life. This book represents the child’s struggle to flourish in the crazy world of adults. A young reader will notice that Alice has a hard time finding solutions to different situations in Wonderland. For example, she has a hard time solving the Mad Hatter’s riddle and understand the caucus race as well as the Queen’s croquet game. Alice eventually learns that there are times when she cannot find meaning or logic in situations and this shows the reader that sometimes life gets frustrating and situations are not always solvable. In order for Alice to thrive she must figure out who she is as a person and where she fits into