2906 Burton fast final

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Tim Burton and Mia
Wazikowska behind
the scenes of “Alice
in Wonderland”
Photo: MoviestillsDB.com
both individuals who are forcefully to be wed show the audience
the true connection they share despite the circumstance.
This foreshadows a genuine relationship progressing.
Though it is common, love is not the only emotion
displayed with close-up shots. Burton zooms into Emily’s
face as she sees Victor and Victoria together to show the
audience utter hatred. In yet another Burton film, Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory, when Willy Wonka is asked
about his father there’s a close-up on him to present the
pain it brings Willy to discuss such a personal matter, thus
immediately telling our audience that he suffers from an
emotional problem with his past and family. Burton very
efficiently uses’ this camera movement to detach his protagonist
from the other characters. This isn’t always a physical
separation but often a mental and social detachment
as well. ?It’s safe to say that an audience can almost always
spot a “Burton Film” within the first few moments of a
preview. He is well known for his use of low key lighting
to create a dark, ominous, and mildly disturbing picture.
This is a technique that plays a major role in setting Burton
apart from your average director. While being a strong
believer in the use of low key lighting, he very frequently
uses it in contrast to high key lighting, often with bold
colors to coincide with the use of cheerful and upbeat music
to display a sense of utopia. In Edward Scissor Hands
Burton presents the seemingly “perfect” town painted with
bright pastel colors and a kind setting; then contrasts it
with an isolated castle shown in the distance that is showered
in darkness.
From the first time the audience is presented with the
eerie castle, an image of separation between Edward and
the townspeople is created along with a preconceived idea
of the mysterious protagonist. This technique is used in
many other Tim Burton Films, such as Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory. He shows the audience a grey town
riddled with a glum vibe, while Willy Wonka’s factory is
unveiled to be a wild array of color and creativity. The factory
is certainly not what it appears to be on the outside.
While unordinary to the public eye, only a select few are
granted with the view of the amazement that lies inside. ➤
This seems to be a recurring theme within the films under
Burton’s direction. Twisting things around in Corpse Bride, ➤