Cinematic Techniques In Edward Scissorhands

793 Words4 Pages

Tim Burton uses many different cinematic techniques to achieve very specific effects in his movies. The most important cinematic techniques that he uses to create his unique style are Non-Diegetic sound, lighting, eye level, and zoom. These techniques that can be seen in the films Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and Corpse Bride, create the effects of sadness, dark moments, express the feeling of other without telling. He uses Non-Diegetic sound when he puts a song, he uses sad songs, happy songs, and more to show the feeling of the character, to give us like a hint of something that is going to happen, if it’s going to be bad or sad. He uses lighting to make the moment or scene sad or mysterious. He uses eye level …show more content…

Burton uses lighting to show fantasy and reality in his movies. In the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory high key lighting represents fantasy. The lighting is used in Willy Wonka’s factory showing that it is every kid’s dream to visit it. Although it is his fantasy, Charlie knows that a fantasy is all it ever will be. To represent this low key lighting is used in Charlie’s home to show that the reality of his life is there living in poverty. This pattern continues in the cult classic Edward Scissorhands. The town that Edward is welcomed into is in high lighting to signify that it is the life that he never had. He wants to be accepted and loved and this is the place that his wish comes true. Unfortunately we know that his fantasy is unrealistic and there is no way he can live normally. His sad life he must live is inside an empty mansion which is shot in low lighting signifying the lonely reality of his home. Lighting gives you an idea of what is real and what is only a fantasy. Burton uses angles to show the level of power of characters. A good example is in the movie Edward Scissorhands during the scene where Edward is making an ice sculpture Kim is shot in a high angle. This signifies that she is truly happy and on top of the world. At the moment she feels nothing can bring her down. All of Tim Burton movies have a lot of things in common. His unique style and ability to create meaning out of cinematic techniques like these are what makes Tim Burton a genius and one of the most well-known American directors in recent