ipl-logo

Contrasting Settings In Tim Burton's Life

884 Words4 Pages

Much of the world has been taught to fear the unknown and usually even the new. When the majority of people were just children they were taught not to talk to strangers, which is an excellent thing. However, this made them fear the new and unknown, which is now a large part of society today. A popular movie director named Tim Burton has illustrated this concept in several of his films using several different cinematic techniques. He has shown that we should be more accepting, and what that is positive can come of it. Burton uses outcast characters and the art of contrasting settings to show that society believes the unknown and new is not acceptable, and even dangerous. Burton uses outcast characters in nearly every one of his films that he …show more content…

For instance, he uses contrasting settings in Edward Scissorhands to show the difference between the town and the mansion where Edward was living. The scene shows Peg, looking at the town, which is all vivid and pleasant and surreal, and then she turns and looks at the mansion which is dark and has a brooding appearance. The difference is so drastic that you know that it is on purpose to illustrate something. In this instance it is obvious that no one wants to travel up there because they do not know what is up on the hill, in the mansion. They fear what they do not know, which can be attributed to the fact that no one has been seen up there for a long time. While this is one example, there is another in Mrs. Peregrine home for Peculiar Children which spans several scenes. It takes place when Jake (the main character) is caught back in time. The mansion that all the children live at is very luminous and beautiful, it has a large amount of energy and makes everything seem perfect in that area, despite the differences in the children. Then, in a later scene, the setting is in the miniscule town on the island. The town is very gloomy looking with little color, and all the citizens seem despondent. These scenes approach the idea in a different way, with still the same meaning. It shows that society should not be afraid of what they do not know or understand. The people are also afraid, and they are very fearing and seem troubled, while the children are enthusiastic and seek to enjoy their life. They show that while the unknown may be dangerous and seem dangerous, it may actually be beneficial for you in the long run, and may help you learn something. Instead of living in fear all your life. Therefore, this is how Burton used his contrasting

Show More
Related
1057 Words | 5 Pages

Another one of the main examples from the movie is at the end when the townspeople fight one another because of the colors changing. The basic characters who have not experienced emotion are still seen as black and white, how they think things should be. While the ones that have changed color have felt the emotions they fight for what should be the new norm. The bright colors and contradicting new art everyone sees causes riots and fights to break out. All of this is taken to court where everyone witnesses the mayor himself change color, and the people began to see that changing color is something you cannot help showing, similar to one’s emotions.

Read More
562 Words | 3 Pages

It is unusual in a story for the setting to serve the function of a character. In the novella Ethan Frome, the setting takes on a major role by mirroring the evolving mental state of Ethan Frome, the story’s reticent protagonist. The author Edith Wharton, uses the literary element of imagery to incarnate the inanimate setting in order to serve as an additional character. The imagery Wharton uses describing the snowy New England countryside, gives the reader the ability to observe Frome seeing the world at first, as colorless and hopeless. Later, Wharton uses imagery about the setting again, to reveal Frome’s transition to seeing that same world as brilliant and auspicious.

Read More
651 Words | 3 Pages

Both societies have diverse purposes to control the general population through trepidation, yet in spite of their endeavors to make an idealistic culture, they were unsuccessful. In 1984, the government uses the Thought Police to acquire absolute power. However, in The Village, the elders create stories of monsters in order to protect the children from innocence and danger in reality. The novel and the movie make individuals realize how our world is similar to

Read More
736 Words | 3 Pages

Throughout the story the children progressively became more paranoid. At first it was just the little children that were scared of an

Read More
589 Words | 3 Pages

The unknown is often associated with danger because of society. Tim Burton would argue that the abnormal could often be the uttermost significant in life. Through color contrast and physically abnormal characters, Burton displays in his films that society wrongly teaches people to fear the unknown. Burton uses color contrast to show the isolation and the unknown of the outcast characters in his films. For instance, in Edward Scissorhands, Edward was introduced when Peg found him sitting in a corner all alone.

Read More
976 Words | 4 Pages

One example is when they bring the Veldt Room to life by all of the mechanics that show the sound, smell, and even temperature. “The hot straw smell of lion grass, the cool green smell of the hidden water hole, the great rusty smell of animals, the smell of dust like a red paprika in the hot air. And now the sounds: the thump of distant antelope feet on grassy sod, the papery rustling of vultures.” This shows how realistic everything is and that you don’t have to leave your house to get an experience of an African Dessert, The way Bradbury appeals to all of the senses to give the reader the experience as if there standing next to George in the African desert, he gives something that is till and a place, a life and makes it seem so much more alive than it is. Bradbury uses the phrase “the papery rustling of vultures.”

Read More
432 Words | 2 Pages

Throughout his life in making films, Tim Burton has shown his unique talent and vision. He proceeds taking advantage of the cinematic techniques; lighting, sound, and camera movements creating a certain mood/tone. These three techniques are used numerous of times for the duration of each film. Although, many various emotions are constructed, there are feelings that anyone may connect to. Tim Burton is a successful filmmaker and has inspired many with the use of his cinematic techniques.

Read More
578 Words | 3 Pages

The imagery of the excerpt focuses on the town the children arrive in and the weather they endure. Although only mentioned in the first half of the excerpt, the weather has a considerable effect on the children

Read More
1071 Words | 5 Pages

Tim Burton’s distinct style became evident in his very first films and stayed clear in his later film, while the plot of Burton’s films vary greatly his style stays pronounced. This can be seen across his many movies from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, “Vincent”, and “Frankenweenie”. In all of these films his distinct style is developed through the use of a strong contrast of high and low key lighting to show contrast between characters and circumstances, a recurring motif of mobs antagonizing the antagonist, and the frequent use of shot reverse shots to show the development of the relationship between the outsider and the people on the inside. With the use of a contrast between high and low-key lighting, a recurring mob motif, and the use of shot-reverse-shots Tim Burton develops his hopelessly bleak style. One of the most evident cinematic techniques that Tim Burton uses to develop his hopelessly bleak style is the use of a strong contrast of high and low-key lighting or colors.

Read More
789 Words | 4 Pages

Tim Burton makes the viewer sense the virtue of characters by creating different directing techniques. Edward Scissorhands

Read More
1122 Words | 5 Pages

Another example where setting comes into play is the mood created when Mabel tries to kiss Dr. Ferguson after he rescues her. He doesn’t want to kiss her. It takes everything he has just to look at her, but at the same time he can not turn away and escape the look in her eye (Lawrence 463). This creates a sympathetic mood because Dr. Ferguson feels bad for Maybel who has just become poor and attempted to kill herself. The fact that he feels sympathy for her shows that he does not view her as a strong woman that can handle living alone but instead a breakable doll that will fall apart if he stops holding her.

Read More
1041 Words | 5 Pages

The movie shows that this fear can lead to a dangerous outcome if not handled

Read More
362 Words | 2 Pages

Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands tells the story of an unusual outsider who is shunned by society due to his physical appearance and unique abilities. Through his character and story, Burton reveals the positives and negatives of being an outsider, highlighting the beauty of individuality while also shedding light on the isolation and discrimination that can come with it. On one hand, Edward's "outsiderness" is what makes him so special and endearing to those who get to know him. His ability to create beautiful, intricate sculptures with his scissorhands is a testament to his creative genius and artistic talent.

Read More
793 Words | 4 Pages

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.

Read More
850 Words | 4 Pages

Tim Burton is a man praised for his cinematic style and contributions into the world of film. Tim Burton is influenced by his fascination with children’s stories and fairy tales. An article states, “Burton stories encourage escapism into worlds of fantasy and supernatural.” Some of his children’s movies are rather dark but delightful. Tim Burton was influenced by Roald Dahl along with other well-known authors such as Dr. Suess.

Read More

More about Contrasting Settings In Tim Burton's Life

Related Topics

Open Document