Lighting Techniques In Tim Burton's Films

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Tim Burton has more opportunities as a director rather than an author to show mood and tone. In some of his movies such as “Edward Scissorhands” and “Charlie and the chocolate factory” he uses several techniques to show scary moods and tones. The tones of his movies are almost always dark because of the way his life has been in the past. Tim Burton uses lighting, sound and camera movements to describe a particularly dark mood. Lighting is important to indicate the mood of a movie. High-key lighting shows cheer and happiness. On the other hand, Burton shows sinister and spooky images with low-key lighting. Tim Burton’s lighting techniques are completely his own. In “Edward Scissorhands” he mixes up the lighting. The town that Peg lives …show more content…
The good guy, Batman, is dark and not someone you would point out of a crowd to talk too. One thing that would really throw someone off would be that he lied about his identity. The Joker looks like a friendly clown the way his face is painted, when he actually is the villain. Tim Burton uses a unique reverse lighting technique as part of his style. Sound plays a major part in the somewhat unwelcoming movies. The sound/music creates the mood of each scene. Mysterious sounds give a more suspense feel for villains and fear. During the opening credits of “Edward Scissorhands” creepy music plays. The frightening music and images gives the feel that something is wrong. The music is a heads up to pre-pair for something to happen. Burton also uses diegetic sound to create mood. Another key element of Tim Burton’s is his use of camera movement. In “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” he uses many different techniques. Earlier in the movie Tim Burton uses dolly-tracking, to announce the Golden Ticket Contest. Tim Burton uses camera movements to display gothic style. In conclusion, Tim Burton uses lighting, sound, and camera movements to show unique cinematic skills. He uses a reverse lighting technique in “Edward Scissorhands” and in many more of his movies. He uses diegetic and non-diegetic sound to display mysterious moods/scenes. Tim Burton also uses camera movements to add to the suspense of his movies.