Tim Burton Cinematic Techniques

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A quote from Tim Burton states that “I am the shadow on the moon at night. Filling your dreams to the brim with fright.” This quote tells how weird and dark Burton is and how the films he creates are a part of his personality. Tim Burton creates eerie, mysterious films with an ominous quality. His styles have been influenced by many artist and other factors. As a child, Burton enjoyed watching horror movies based on Edgar Allan Poe’s poems and monster movies. Tim Burton uses cinematic techniques such as lighting, shots and framing, and sound to give his films a mysterious and dark mood, like in the films Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Corpse Bride. One of many important cinematic techniques a director …show more content…
Specifically, Low key lighting is used to make a scene full of darker shades which often makes the setting and characters more dramatic and suspenseful. However, high key lighting makes a scene more bright and cheerful, which makes the characters and setting more joyful and relaxed. Tim Burton uses lighting to set a mysterious tone for his films. For example, in the film “Edward Scissorhands,” Tim Burton uses low-key lighting inside of Edward’s castle to give it a scary and creepy feeling. In contrast, to when Edward was in Peg’s kitchen and saw the can opener. That made Edward remember the inventor that created him. The lighting in the castle when Edward had the flashback was bright. This difference makes the castle seem nice and calm, similar to Edward’s creator. The difference with the lighting is displayed by the scene where the roof of the Edwards house has a giant opening in the attic which brings in light into the scene. The movement changes between a dark and creepy attic and a bright neighborhood where the neighborhood husbands and wives live. The