A pioneer in the art of gothic romanticism, Tim Burton could easily be considered for the title of auteur. Burton’s films are instantly recognisable with his distinguishable dark style and familiar themes. Using his favourable technique of stop motion, Burton has a way of bringing dreams to life through the use of his untamed imagination. Burton began his career as an animator and in 1976 won a scholarship for the California Institute of the Arts, a college founded by Walt Disney. He worked as an animator on the children’s animation The Fox and the Hound (1981) but his real passion was for the dark and beautiful misfits of society, and this charming fox was not one of them. Voicing his dislike for creating the generic Hollywood characters, he was soon given more freedom and from there his yearning for the weird and wonderful flourished. One particular theme that continues through Burtons films is the concept that the main character is a misfit within society. Burton develops this characters appearance, body language, speech and skills to create the impression of someone who is ostracised from society. A perfect example of this is Burtons original misfit ‘Edward Scissorhands’, released in 1990 and portraying a man with hands made out of scissors and shears who experiences extreme social isolation because of his disability which leaves him ostracised from society.
Burton’s forte and great passion lies in the art of creating stop motion films.
“There is something about stop-motion that gives it an energy that you don’t’ get in any other form.”
http://minadream.com/timburton/Animation.htm
[Accessed 01/03/2011]
[Accessed 01/03/2011]
In 1993 Burton brought stop motion back to the forefront of the cinema with ‘The nightmare before Christmas.’ The film was based on a poem Burton had written in the 1980’s but had been to pre-occupied to take the poem further until 1993. Despite being written by Burton, the film was actually directed by Henry Selick.
"If I had [directed it], I'd be dead before I ever saw the final version... the reason I originally got out of animation is because I didn't have the patience for it...”
http://www.filmsoftimburton.com/chapter3.html[Accessed 28/02/2011]
This magical and enlightening film appeals to both children and adults by delivering an underlying message of how to be content in a tough world, again using Burton’s signature theme of a misfit character.
Edward Scissorhands (1990) is considered to be Burton’s signature film embracing his common theme of a misfit character who appears strange and unapproachable but only wishes to be embraced. The storyline apparently reflects Burton’s feelings of isolation during his own upbringing in California where he must have considered himself the misfit of the community. It was this film that encouraged the professional relationship between Burton and Johnny Depp who have since worked together in six Hollywood films over two decades.
Please excuse the subtitles!
Alice and Wonderland (2010) was Tim Burtons most recent film, an adaptation of the children’s story originating from the 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll. Yet another collaboration with Johnny Depp, the film tells the story of Alice returning to the wonderland she first visited in her childhood. The film itself is rich with colour, imagination and fantasy. The film also stars Helena Bonham Carter, who is another reoccurring actress and who is also personally involved with Burton. The film was clearly greatly received being the second highest grossing film of 2010 and the sixth highest grossing film of all time.
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