Tim Burton Research Paper

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“One person’s craziness is another person’s reality.” (Tim Burton). Tim Burton has been directing movies for 38 years and is mostly known for his fantasy films; they include Alice in Wonderland, Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He is eccentric and dark yet, childlike and playful. Burton frequently works with Johnny Depp as their similar personas compliment each other, creating whimsical and mysterious films. Throughout his movies, Tim Burton’s dark yet playful style is conveyed through his use of editing, sound, and lighting; creating cheerful and apprehensive atmospheres. To begin, Tim Burton uses various editing techniques achieve certain effects, including characterization or mood. For instance, in film Charlie and the Charlie Factory, when Willy Wonka is explaining where …show more content…

For example, in Edward Scissorhands, when Peg first enters Edward’s mansion and is walking up the stairs, diegetic sound- long, moaning creaks and thumping footsteps are heard. During this scene, Peg repeats the word “Hello” which echoes through the mansion(Edward). The use of this technique creates a suspenseful mood with long creaking and echoed footsteps that create a sense of uncertainty and suspicion. The echoing of hello shows the enormity of the mansion and also makes Peg look isolated and vulnerable, making viewers wonder what will happen to her. Furthermore, in the movie Alice in Wonderland, when Alice first obtains the Vorpal sword from the chest and lifts it up, loud brass music plays in the background(Alice). The non-diegetic sound, sound only the viewer can hear, makes Alice and the sword seem heavenly and important with its loud brass and long notes. Burton’s use of non-diegetic sound also foreshadows that the sword will only be used for good in the events to come. To conclude, Burton’s style is shown through his use of sound to create