What is Burtonesque - Tim Burton Set Design - Mise en Scene Explained - StudioBinder

  • Auteur Directors

What is Burtonesque — A Complete Tim Burton Style Analysis

T im Burton is a filmmaker with a style so unique that we’ve come to regard his works — and those who replicate them — as Burtonesque . And we see the Burtonesque in every facet of his films: writing, lighting, music, characters and of course, production design. We’re going to explore the Tim Burton style and his singular mise en scene with the purpose of better understanding expressive filmmaking. By the end, you might be inspired to create something equally audacious and bold.

Watch: Tim Burton Style — Set Design and Mise en scene

Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this.

Tim Burton Style Analysis

Elements of mise en scene.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term mise en scene , don’t worry – it quite simply refers to all the elements that go into making a visual image. For more on mise en scene, here's breakdown of how directors like Stanley Kubrick have mastered the elements of film-language.

What is Mise en Scene?  •   Subscribe on YouTube

Perhaps no filmmaker knows how important mise en scene is more than Tim Burton . Mise en scene plays a huge role in creating mood (the feel of a story) and tone (the attitude of the artist). We can see the effects of expressive mise en scene everywhere in Burton’s best movies — and it’s largely responsible for how we feel about his film-worlds. Now let’s jump into Burton’s mise en scene by breaking down some of its most noteworthy elements.

Who is Tim Burton and How Does He Write?

How to write light and dark stories.

Tim Burton isn’t so much of a screenwriter as he is an idea conceptualizer. In fact, nearly all of Burton’s writing credits are for story/character conceptualization, not screenwriting.

So, what can we learn from the Tim Burton aesthetic of dreaming up film worlds? Well to understand the Tim Burton style of filmmaking and story-conceptualizing, we have to go back to the beginning.

In the early 1980s, Burton began working at Walt Disney Studios as an animator. Two years later, he directed his first official short titled Vincent — which was a sort of autobiographical ode to Edgar Allan Poe and Vincent Price.

V incent  is a foundational piece in establishing the Tim Burton art style and one of the best short films of all time . Considering this, let’s review the short film by paying special attention to detail for story conceptualization. 

Tim Burton Art Style Takes Off in Vincent

What do you think of the Tim Burton style of filmmaking here? Personally, I think Vincent is a perfect example of the best aspects of what you might call a “Tim Burton writing style.” Vincent is actually based on a poem by Burton in the style of a Vincent Price monologue . 

The content of the poem is full of things we’ve come to expect from Burton’s works; such as a focus on existential dread, ghoulish monsters, and the macabre. Although it’s somewhat impossible to do, I suggest you try to imagine Burton’s works without any visuals at all. That’s the first step in understanding all the best characteristics of Tim Burton films.

Style Tim Burton’s World

The art of contrasting design.

Burtonesque - Naturalistic Tim Burton Set Design in Edward Scissorhands

Naturalistic Tim Burton Set Design

The American suburbia Tim Burton aesthetic is defined by bright and bold colors, as well as 1960s architecture and cars. It stands in stark contrast to Burton’s theatrical side, which is defined by Gothic overtones and mechanical machinations and heavily inspired by German Expressionism .

Burtonesque - Theartrical Tim Burton Set Design in Edward Scissorhands

Theatrical Tim Burton Set Design in Edward Scissorhands

Both sides of the “Tim Burton design style” are exaggerated — but they’re diametric to each other. I suppose it’s true that contrast is king when highlighting differences between two sets; a point proven by Edward Scissorhands . 

When thinking about ideas for designing your own sets , consider how Burton uses the naturalistic side in an ironic sense to suggest “this is where the true villainy lives.”

Tim Burton Style Analysis of Lighting

How to light a scene like burton.

Film lighting is a vitally important aspect in creating the atmosphere of a scene. Oftentimes, lighting is the difference between a visually enveloping scene and a hard-to-make-out scene.

Take a look at this shot from Tim Burton’s Batman for example: 

Burtonesque - The World of Tim Burton's Batman

Burtonesque - The World of Tim Burton's Batman

To me, this shot says “this setting is alive.” It’s active — traffic signs emit red and green neon, lampshades illuminate rain-soaked streets, and Gotham citizens populate all the space in between. Now think about if this scene were lit differently — or if it were lit less. Would it feel kinetic? Or would it simply be dark and dreary? I think the answer is clear.

Burtonesque - The World of Tim Burton's Big Fish

The World of Tim Burton’s Big Fish

What do you think of this shot? I think the bright lights communicate a dreamlike-feel and serve as a bridge between Burton’s naturalistic and theatrical perspectives. This is a set that’s grounded in reality but elevated by exaggerated lighting. All in all, it’s singularly Burton.

If you’re interested in exploring other lighting styles, check out our list on the best video lighting kits for filmmakers .

Tim Burton Style Analysis of Music

Burton and elfman — a musical pair.

Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman have worked together on 16 films and counting. Their 30-year working career is one of the most prolific in modern cinema. Let’s take a look at the trailer for their documentary interview together and then we’ll explore how Elfman has helped to style Tim Burton and his movies with an equally specific aesthetic.

A Conversation With Danny Elfman & Tim Burton Trailer

Danny Elfman’s scores play a huge part in the success of nearly all of Tim Burton’s feature films — from the bizarro synth-sounds of Beetlejuice to the orchestral horns of Batman .

And the great thing about Elfman is that his scores are always exaggerated, and singularly unique that fits like a glove inside the Tim Burton style.

Their working relationship has proven to be a perfect match. You’ll find Elfman’s scores on many lists of the best movie scores of all time .

Tim Burton Style Analysis of Character Design

Tim burton characters are unique.

We know Tim Burton characters are unique — and not just for their own sake, they’re an essential aspect of the Tim Burton aesthetic. His characters are defined by their exaggerated features; long frizzled hair, baggy eyes, gangly limbs, etc. But the over-the-top features of these characters often serve the role of a smokescreen, hiding their innate human side.

We imported some of the best Tim Burton character designs into StudioBinder’s storyboarding software — you won’t want to miss our take on these iconic characters. Click below to download the entire collection.

Burtonesque-Characters Storyboard-StudioBinder-Online-Shot-List-Software

Tim Burton Characters  •   Click to view the shot list

Tim burton german expressionism roots, tim burton costumes have purpose.

We also know that Tim Burton costumes are almost always showstoppers. Perhaps we should give credit to costume designer Colleen Atwood who’s worked on 12 films with Burton too. Their working relationship has produced some of the best costumes in recent cinema history, such as the costumes of Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd. 

Let’s go behind the scenes of Alice in Wonderland to see Johnny Depp get into character as the Mad Hatter — “Tim Burton style."

Tim Burton Costumes Johnny Depp in Alice in Wonderland

It’s amazing to hear that there’s a historical explanation for the Mad Hatter’s well… madness. Depp says that old hatters used to use glue with mercury to keep the hats together, which sometimes caused the wearer to go mad. This is just one example of a Tim Burton costume design serving more than just an aesthetic purpose.

Tim Burton Style Analysis of Drawing

Inside the tim burton drawing style.

The “Tim Burton drawing style” is instantly recognizable. Here’s an exercise: take out a piece of paper and a pencil, close your eyes, think of a character Tim Burton would conceptualize and begin to draw it.

What does it look like? Big eyes? Crazy hair? Ghoulish features? Maybe it looks something like Burton’s concept art for Edward Scissorhands .

Burtonesque - Tim Burton Drawing Style of Edward Scissorhands

Tim Burton Drawing Style of Edward Scissorhands

We see this approach to detail everywhere in Burton’s works, from Frankenweenie to The Nightmare Before Christmas (which was directed by Henry Selick). Likewise, we even see some Tim Burton animation styles translate over to his live-action films, like they do here in Big Eyes .

Burtonesque - Tim Burton Animation Blends With Live Action in Big Eyes

Tim Burton Animation Blends With Live Action in Big Eyes

If you want to create a drawing style as audaciously bold and instantly recognizable as Burton has, don’t do what he’s done, do the opposite; do something in between; do what you want to see. It’s not a bad idea to imitate Burton as a practice in design, but in the end it’s essential that you create your own aesthetic. 

Related Posts

  • Best Movie Directors of All Time →
  • Read More: Best Movie Storyboard Examples →
  • Screenwriting Software Composes Your Production →

Best Tim Burton Movies, Ranked

Now that we’ve run through a complete Tim Burton style analysis, you might be thinking “what are the best Tim Burton movies?” If that’s the case, check out our article where we rank every movie of Tim Burton’s legendary career. Can you guess which film took the top honor?

Up Next: Burton’s Films Ranked →

Showcase your vision with elegant shot lists and storyboards..

Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows.

Learn More ➜

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Pricing & Plans
  • Featured On
  • StudioBinder Partners
  • Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets
  • How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet)
  • The Only Shot List Template You Need — with Free Download
  • Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template)
  • A Better Film Crew List Template Booking Sheet
  • Best Storyboard Softwares (with free Storyboard Templates)
  • Movie Magic Scheduling
  • Gorilla Software
  • Storyboard That

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.

  • Making It: From Pre-Production to Screen
  • What is a Femme Fatale — Definition, Characteristics, Examples
  • What is Method Acting — 3 Different Types Explained
  • How to Make a Mood Board — A Step-by-Step Guide
  • What is a Mood Board — Definition, Examples & How They Work
  • How to Make a Better Shooting Schedule with a Stripboard
  • 45 Facebook
  • 5 Pinterest

Encyclopedia Britannica

  • History & Society
  • Science & Tech
  • Biographies
  • Animals & Nature
  • Geography & Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Games & Quizzes
  • On This Day
  • One Good Fact
  • New Articles
  • Lifestyles & Social Issues
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Politics, Law & Government
  • World History
  • Health & Medicine
  • Browse Biographies
  • Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
  • Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
  • Environment
  • Fossils & Geologic Time
  • Entertainment & Pop Culture
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Visual Arts
  • Demystified
  • Image Galleries
  • Infographics
  • Top Questions
  • Britannica Kids
  • Saving Earth
  • Space Next 50
  • Student Center

Tim Burton

  • What are some of the major film festivals?

Bag end on Bagshot row from the movies Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in Hobbiton, New Zealand, Australia

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

  • Senses of Cinema - Tim Burton
  • Turner Classic Movies - Tim Burton
  • All American Speakers - Tim Burton
  • Tim Burton - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Tim Burton

Recent News

Tim Burton (born August 25, 1958, Burbank , California , U.S.) is an American director known for his original, quirky style that frequently drew on elements of the fantastic and the macabre .

(Read Martin Scorsese’s Britannica essay on film preservation.)

tim burton essay

Burton, who became interested in drawing and filmmaking while quite young, attended the California Institute of the Arts and later worked as an animator at Disney Productions. After making a series of short films, including the horror-movie homage Frankenweenie (1984), Burton directed his first feature film, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure , in 1985. A box-office success, the family movie centred on a man-child (played by Paul Reubens) looking for his stolen bicycle. With the dark comedy Beetlejuice (1988)—starring Alec Baldwin , Geena Davis , Winona Ryder , and Michael Keaton —Burton established himself as an unconventional filmmaker. He turned to more mainstream fare with the big-budget Batman (1989) and its sequel Batman Returns (1992). Both films were major hits. Burton was also responsible for the concept and general design of the stop-motion animation film The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), which was directed by Henry Selick.

tim burton essay

Edward Scissorhands (1990) marked Burton’s first collaboration with actor Johnny Depp . The two subsequently worked on such movies as Ed Wood (1994), a biopic about a cross-dressing filmmaker who was called the worst director ever; Sleepy Hollow (1999), which was based on Washington Irving ’s story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”; and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), an adaptation of Roald Dahl ’s children’s book of the same name.

tim burton essay

In 2001 Burton’s remake of the science-fiction classic The Planet of the Apes (1968) was released. During its filming, he had begun a romantic relationship with one of its stars, Helena Bonham Carter , and the two became longtime partners. After directing Big Fish (2003), he made Corpse Bride (2005), which was nominated for an Academy Award for best animated feature. The film featured voice work by Depp and Bonham Carter, both of whom subsequently reteamed with Burton on Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), based on Stephen Sondheim ’s musical; Alice in Wonderland (2010), a special-effects-enhanced adaptation of the Lewis Carroll story; and Dark Shadows (2012), a comedic interpretation of a cult-favourite soap opera from the 1960s.

A feature-length stop-motion remake of Frankenweenie , directed by Burton, was released in 2012. Big Eyes (2014) told the true story of painter Margaret Keane, whose husband took credit for her work during the early part of her career. Burton next directed the adventure fantasy Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), a film adaptation of the first book in a popular young adult series by Ransom Riggs. In 2019 he received mixed reviews for Dumbo , a live-action remake of the 1941 Disney classic . Burton then turned to television, directing several episodes of Wednesday (2022– ), a comedy-horror series inspired by the TV show The Addams Family (1964–66).

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Movies — Tim Burton

one px

Essays on Tim Burton

Magical realism in the works of tim burton and gabriel garcia marquez, exploring the gothic horror of tim burton, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Analysis of Visual Design in The Film Edward Scissorhands

The theme of self-discovery in edward scissorhands, marxism in tim burton's "charlie and the chocolate factory", view of tim burton’s musical sweeney todd: the demon barber of fleet street, let us write you an essay from scratch.

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Visual Style in Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd"

The issue of motivation to search for the inevitable truth in big fish, directed by tim burton, review of tim burton’s film edward scissorhands, how edward scissorhands explores social concerns relevant to audiences today, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

The Theme of Being Different in Edward Scissorhands

What is tim burton writing style, symbols in edward scissorhands, symbolism in corpse bride, relevant topics.

  • Documentary
  • Film Analysis
  • Hidden Figures
  • The Reunion
  • A River Runs Through It
  • Being There
  • Crash Movie

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

tim burton essay

  •  Sign into My Research
  •  Create My Research Account
  • Company Website
  • Our Products
  • About Dissertations
  • Español (España)
  • Support Center

Select language

  • Bahasa Indonesia
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Português (Portugal)

Welcome to My Research!

You may have access to the free features available through My Research. You can save searches, save documents, create alerts and more. Please log in through your library or institution to check if you have access.

Welcome to My Research!

Translate this article into 20 different languages!

If you log in through your library or institution you might have access to this article in multiple languages.

Translate this article into 20 different languages!

Get access to 20+ different citations styles

Styles include MLA, APA, Chicago and many more. This feature may be available for free if you log in through your library or institution.

Get access to 20+ different citations styles

Looking for a PDF of this document?

You may have access to it for free by logging in through your library or institution.

Looking for a PDF of this document?

Want to save this document?

You may have access to different export options including Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive and citation management tools like RefWorks and EasyBib. Try logging in through your library or institution to get access to these tools.

Want to save this document?

  • More like this
  • Preview Available
  • Scholarly Journal

tim burton essay

Tim Burton: Essays on the Films

No items selected.

Please select one or more items.

Select results items first to use the cite, email, save, and export options

You might have access to the full article...

Try and log in through your institution to see if they have access to the full text.

Content area

Tim Burton: Essays on the Films Johnson Cheu, Editor. McFarland, 2016.

The movies of Tim Burton have long held a fascination within late-twentieth and early-twenty-first century cinematography. To say that Burton's films are unique and even weird is an understatement; they capture strong messages for those in society who feel outcast, misfit, and outside the norm, which is probably why they are so popular: they transcend issues related to stereotype and gender and bring a sort of normality and comfort to those who deal with these topics on a daily basis. This book contains a number of essays by scholars who are familiar with Tim Burton's repertoire, and it details many of Burton's films and their messages and effects on popular culture and society.

The book is divided into three major sections: "Outsider Characters and Other Oddities,"...

You have requested "on-the-fly" machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Show full disclaimer

Neither ProQuest nor its licensors make any representations or warranties with respect to the translations. The translations are automatically generated "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" and are not retained in our systems. PROQUEST AND ITS LICENSORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES FOR AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Your use of the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in your Electronic Products License Agreement and by using the translation functionality you agree to forgo any and all claims against ProQuest or its licensors for your use of the translation functionality and any output derived there from. Hide full disclaimer

Suggested sources

  • About ProQuest
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Information Science and Technology
  • Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Entertainment Tim Burton

Analysis Of Tim Burton's Style Of Filmmaking

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

writer logo

  • 13 Reasons Why
  • Like Water For Chocolate
  • The Boy in The Striped Pajamas
  • The Social Network
  • Django Unchained
  • Taylor Swift

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

tim burton essay

  • Arts & Photography
  • Performing Arts

Sorry, there was a problem.

Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Image Unavailable

Tim Burton: Essays on the Films

  • To view this video download Flash Player

tim burton essay

Follow the author

Johnson Cheu

Tim Burton: Essays on the Films Paperback – January 12, 2016

Since his early days at Disney, Tim Burton has shown a unique talent and vision. His writing and directing credits range from big-budget features such as Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), to the comically grisly The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and Corpse Bride (2005), to the twisted fairy tale Edward Scissorhands (1990), to literary adaptations like Big Fish (2003), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Sweeney Todd (2007). Though his name has become synonymous with the macabre and the odd, Burton's films often reveal and champion the flawed human in us all.

This collection of new essays brings together scholarship on many of his popular films, adaptations, and innovations in stop-motion animation and his collaborative relationship with actor Johnny Depp, providing an in-depth exploration of one of the most prominent figures on the pop culture landscape in recent decades.

  • Print length 256 pages
  • Language English
  • Publisher McFarland & Company
  • Publication date January 12, 2016
  • Reading age 18 years and up
  • Dimensions 6 x 0.51 x 9 inches
  • ISBN-10 0786498005
  • ISBN-13 978-0786498000
  • See all details

Products related to this item

Tim Burton: Essays on the Films

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McFarland & Company (January 12, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0786498005
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0786498000
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.51 x 9 inches
  • #1,181 in Individual Directors
  • #3,885 in Art of Film & Video
  • #9,450 in Movie History & Criticism

About the author

Johnson cheu.

Johnson Cheu is the editor of three books on film. In addition to scholarly articles, he also writes and publishes essays and poetry.

Takashi Shimura: Chameleon of Japanese Cinema

Customer reviews

  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 51% 49% 0% 0% 0% 51%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 51% 49% 0% 0% 0% 49%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 51% 49% 0% 0% 0% 0%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 51% 49% 0% 0% 0% 0%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 51% 49% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

No customer reviews

  • About Amazon
  • Investor Relations
  • Amazon Devices
  • Amazon Science
  • Sell products on Amazon
  • Sell on Amazon Business
  • Sell apps on Amazon
  • Become an Affiliate
  • Advertise Your Products
  • Self-Publish with Us
  • Host an Amazon Hub
  • › See More Make Money with Us
  • Amazon Business Card
  • Shop with Points
  • Reload Your Balance
  • Amazon Currency Converter
  • Amazon and COVID-19
  • Your Account
  • Your Orders
  • Shipping Rates & Policies
  • Returns & Replacements
  • Manage Your Content and Devices
 
 
 
 
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Notice
  • Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices

tim burton essay

This website uses cookies to provide you with the most relevant information. Please accept cookies for better performance. Read more »

Our services

  • Custom Essay Writing
  • College Assignment Help
  • Academic Writing
  • Dissertation Help
  • Response/Reaction Paper
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Interview Essay
  • Discussion Board Post
  • Lab Report Writing
  • Poem Writing Service
  • Movie Review
  • Film Critique
  • Marketing Plan Assistance
  • Research Papers
  • Term Paper Help
  • Proofreading and Editing
  • Grant Proposal Writing
  • Case Study Writing
  • Capstone Projects
  • Synopsis Writing Service
  • Do My Excel Homework
  • Write a Speech for Me
  • Book Report
  • Letter Writing Service
  • Motivation Letter
  • Short Answer Questions
  • Coursework Writing
  • Scholarship Essay
  • IB Extended Essay
  • Article Writing Service
  • Capstone Project
  • Book Review
  • Questionnaire
  • Literary Analysis
  • Blog Article
  • Article Review
  • Article Critique
  • Affiliate Program
  • VIP Services
  • White Paper
  • Business Report
  • Business Plan
  • Essay Rewriting
  • Thesis Proposal
  • Problem Solving
  • Math Homework
  • Online Test
  • Research Proposal

Special Offer

Need a paper? Save

on Your First Order

Testimonials

Tim Burton is an American film director, painter, screenwriter, producer and illustrator, born in 1958 in California. As a child, he watched horror movies by Roger Corman. His enrollment into California Institute of Arts (CalArts) to pursue animation was based on his childhood dreams. Upon graduating, he landed a job with Disney but later quit to pursue his dreams. Since 1982 when he released Vincent he has a collection of films. This paper will discuss the life of Tim Burton as an illustrator, the illustrations he did and the medium he used, his style as well as what attracts people to him as an instructor.

Burton’s art revolves around fantasy and horror illustration inspired by his drawings that are creepy. The medium he uses is pencil and animation paper which is an inspiration from the cartoons he perceived as a child. Watercolor is one of the media that assists him in producing an effect of motion pictures. Burton’s use of pocket pads and napkins was unusual and helped him achieve an animation practice from history. The type of illustrations was not familiar in his time, so he struggled to connect with his audience. Eventually, he brings out the lives of social outcasts to the limelight and brings humanity to the people.

Calculate the price

I’m new here 15% OFF

The use of recurring themes and metaphors is a handmade setting that gives his movies a distinct taste. Tim’s use of phantom as a technique has helped people understand the lives of the oppressed personalizing phantom which represents his juvenile life revolving around watching horror movies. This connection is impressive and influences his audience; people develop gothic imagination thus they appreciate his work. Isolation of emotions from the views enhances protagonist’s thoughts and increases phobia. Use of both drawbacks and flashbacks deviates from the norm themes and creates a unique style. The expressionist style used by Burton stimulates visual environment to the audience. The impressive imagination demystifies the belief that biography influences art and not personal experiences. The manipulation of bodies through bondage in the cartoon context translates to loneliness and puts emphasis on issues in the society. Each piece of art in his collection tells a story of oppressed and sideline people in the society. His work is a channel to expose such injustices through art.

Burton’s artwork started from his hometown of Burbank in the 80s with his shots of Vincent and Frankenweenie in 1982 and 1984 respectively (Lee, 2011, p. 10). While at California Art Institute, he was exposed to traditional art theory and history, and this resonated with his art profession. This unique environment allowed him to discover his potential. He joined Disney as a raw talent in 1979. He managed to climb the ladder from an assistant to concept artist. Although, he felt imprisoned by the type of art he performed, his professional work was impeccable. He later founded a studio that developed traits and themes such as character based creatures and the emergence of body modification. These projects prepared him for a big break into a solo career in which he did what he knew best (Lee, 2011, p. 11)

Burton made his first film named Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985) that went on to become hit at the box office, and heightened his reputation as a filmmaker (Lee, 2011, p. 15). 1988 was an important year for Burton due to Beetlejuice , which made him win an Oscar, widened his audience and increased acceptance of his unusual films. Batman (1989) became his biggest success despite the major conflicts during production. It earned him around $100 million after hitting the theatre in just ten days. Every film he made was a success, and a different character emerged. He made his first collaboration with actor Jonny Deep in Vincent . Burton continues to produce films with mixed reviews and attract more audience (Lee, 2011, p. 17).

The solution to the challenges was leaving Disney to pursue his art appealing to an audience with the connected imagination. However, more setbacks arose when he wanted to film Batman due to the negative energy around the film. He travelled to Britain and achieved his desire though at a higher cost (Burton & Fraga, 2005, p. 22). He managed to get the best actors for his team and hence a vibrant release of all of his movies. Fellow actors have described Tim as a person with a general spirit and the ability to fit in the atmosphere. This calm characteristic of him is important in reasoning with different persons and defines his diverse characters. Burton is a perfectionist who dwells on every inch of the film and is critical about details (Burton & Fraga, 2005, p. 24). Burton’s devotion is clear and throughout his career he has managed to beat the odds through films (Bellin, 2005, p. 183).

Earn 10% from all orders made by people you bring. Your people also get 17% DISCOUNT on their first order

The general idea of a fantasy movie is the relation to mental illness. The result is the audience taking up these roles and experimenting on the cast’s behavior. A threat of rejection of the art poses when audience relates Tim Burton’ fashion to the actors in his movies.. The film has a great impact on the viewers and even a greater one when the thought transcends into their everyday lives. A slight difference exists between fantasy and reality and once crossed the worst may happen. The belief in illusions may compromise the judgment of the audience and leads to harmful habits (Bellin, 2005, p. 138).

The filmmaking industry has moved from the animation of stop action films to modern fairy tales. In the 20 th century, camera techniques were the most popular and video editing was slow with fixed subjects. However, in present day animation has become mobile with the use of video technique (Fichner-Rathus, 2011, p. 185). For example, in Tim Burton’s film The Corpse Bride (2005), the incorporation of puppets and animation of their movements is incredible. Photographs editing with the help of special software helps achieve the desired effect and the characteristics of personification.

He has managed to capture his audience through the memory of an earlier film as opposed to a recreation. The fact that Tim has written a film based on his idle Vincent enables the audience to relate to his history and thus his beliefs. The use of drawing is common in fashion hence its incorporation into art exposes the audience to the pop culture and its practices. Burton has managed to capture the youths through the gothic look and influenced a lot of stylists. His paintings inspiration is fantasy hence imparting a magical look. However, critics have argued that his work has an adult appeal hence it is biased. The reflection on his movies may present a negative view to children posing a threat to their moral upbringing.

Conclusively, Tim Burton can draw his audience to an imaginative state and hence relate with his fantasy films. He has received a couple of awards including the Oscars for his impressive work. He has been a persistent director who believed in himself despite the lack of approval from the society. Throughout his filmmaking, he has brought out humor in a pleasant way. His dramatic endeavors are clear, and a deep interest lies on the viewer.

Related essays:

  • The Italian Renaissance
  • Comparison and Contrast Art Essay
  • Primitivism as an Effective Method of Depicting Nature
  • Hindu Art in India
  • Modern Japanese Art
  • Extra Credit

No time for burning midnight oil and writing a paper from scratch?

No worries. Let our writers take care of your future!

Home / Essay Samples / Entertainment / Tim Burton / Representation Of Tim Burton’S Messages And Values In His Films

Representation Of Tim Burton’S Messages And Values In His Films

  • Category: Entertainment
  • Topic: Film Analysis , Tim Burton

Pages: 6 (2727 words)

Views: 2384

  • Downloads: -->

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Ready Player One Essays

Forrest Gump Essays

Hotel Rwanda Essays

American Sniper Essays

12 Angry Men Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service  and  Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->