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Burton Scissorhands Analysis

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Timothy Walter Burton is arguably one of the greatest filmmakers in the 20th century. He uses his eccentric nature to create visually striking films that combine fantasy and horror. He includes elements from his personality and childhood in his films. Tim is autistic, which made him an outcast amongst his peers. He was shy and reserved, and he was unable to make friends easily. He became socially isolated, a theme he uses in Edward Scissorhands. He also includes the poor relationship that he had with his father in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. He also uses his eccentric and misunderstood personality in his characters. Scissorhands is a loner, Batman is distanced from society and Willy Wonka is eccentric and reclusive. Tim is a fan of German Expressionism, where he uses chiaroscuro lighting and exaggerated sets and decor as seen in Alice In Wonderland. He also …show more content…

Examples of this are seen in the case of why Willy Wonka became a candy maker, why Batman became the vigilante that he is and why Sweeny Todd is as disturbed as he is. Camera styles that Burton often uses are wide shots and close ups. He uses high angle tracking shots that glide and weave through the environment to show the settings as seen in Beetlejuice and Batman. He also uses cameras attached to a crane, dolly or Steadicam devices. The lighting he uses incorporates a sense of fantasy and reality, shown in Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. The town and factory are shown in high key lighting to show that it is their dream or fantasy. Their homes are shown in low light to represent loneliness and poverty respectively. Danny Elfman has created the soundtrack for all but one of Burton's films. This allows for the music to fit in with his style and all of his films have similar soundscapes. Burton also enjoys using church choirs, organs and

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