Tim Burton the Man Behind the Movies
Tim Burton
(The man behind the films)
Tim Burton’s uncommon insights into the tormented and troubled hearts of his characters make him a truly remarkable visionary. His films Sweeney Todd, Edward Scissorhands and his short debut film Vincent all incorporate a common theme; an outsider tormented by his surroundings and those who inhabit them is finally destroyed and or emotionally damaged by what their hearts yearned for. The trouble and tormenting the protagonists heart receives comes from many elements of life; alienation, love, deceit, longing to dream, suppression, entrapment and pure obsession. Burton’s use of symbolic codes, lighting, colour, music teamed with his amazing directional skills maintains a simple expression of the story whilst also creating a truly amazing deeper message. Burton’s visionary excellence stems from his own experiences and familiarity with the subject matter. While his ideas come from this point, the way in which he creates and finally presents these themes is what makes him such a prominent director.
Burton’s use of music to project a strong message enables the viewer to subconsciously feel somewhat associated with the protagonist in the film. By using instruments such as the organ and recorder in his film Vincent, Burton produces a lonely, eerie atmosphere around ‘Vincent Malloy’. By then instructing the musicians to play minor chords on these instruments he deepens the feelings and brings out the desired effect. In Edward Scissorhands Burton frequently uses Tom Jones’ songs as the accompanying music. Prominent songs such as ‘hands’ are played quietly and are barely recognisable under the films dialogue but are clearly associated with Edward and the constant presence of the abnormal scissor hands which make him so extraordinary.
In Sweeney Todd the music is the largest portion of dialogue, however the way in which Burton has directed the music to work hand in hand with the lighting, shots, movements and other sounds
(The man behind the films)
Tim Burton’s uncommon insights into the tormented and troubled hearts of his characters make him a truly remarkable visionary. His films Sweeney Todd, Edward Scissorhands and his short debut film Vincent all incorporate a common theme; an outsider tormented by his surroundings and those who inhabit them is finally destroyed and or emotionally damaged by what their hearts yearned for. The trouble and tormenting the protagonists heart receives comes from many elements of life; alienation, love, deceit, longing to dream, suppression, entrapment and pure obsession. Burton’s use of symbolic codes, lighting, colour, music teamed with his amazing directional skills maintains a simple expression of the story whilst also creating a truly amazing deeper message. Burton’s visionary excellence stems from his own experiences and familiarity with the subject matter. While his ideas come from this point, the way in which he creates and finally presents these themes is what makes him such a prominent director.
Burton’s use of music to project a strong message enables the viewer to subconsciously feel somewhat associated with the protagonist in the film. By using instruments such as the organ and recorder in his film Vincent, Burton produces a lonely, eerie atmosphere around ‘Vincent Malloy’. By then instructing the musicians to play minor chords on these instruments he deepens the feelings and brings out the desired effect. In Edward Scissorhands Burton frequently uses Tom Jones’ songs as the accompanying music. Prominent songs such as ‘hands’ are played quietly and are barely recognisable under the films dialogue but are clearly associated with Edward and the constant presence of the abnormal scissor hands which make him so extraordinary.
In Sweeney Todd the music is the largest portion of dialogue, however the way in which Burton has directed the music to work hand in hand with the lighting, shots, movements and other sounds
Bibliography: Sweeney Todd Edward Scissorhands Vincent all by Tim Burton