A life through film…

An analysis of the distinctive film and language techniques used by Tim Burton

• Timothy Walter Burton was born August 25 in 1955.

He grew up in Burbank, California, near Hollywood

• From a young age, Burton was mesmerized by popular

culture and loved Sci-Fi and Horror films,

• The extraordinary horror-genre actor the late, Vincent

Price was a particular influence and inspiration.

Typical 1950’s suburban house in Burbank, California

Mise-en-scène and German Expressionism

• Mise-en-scene is an expression used to describe the

design of a film production.

• Eg: it’s a detailed description of how a scene is set

up. You will need to describe the details of objects

and people in the foreground, the mid-ground and

the background of the scene you “quote”

• German Expressionism was an artistic movement (encompassing film, theatre, painting, and other arts) that represented (showed) psychological (mental) states through highly stylised visual techniques – which were unique to the composer.

Narrative techniques

Tim Burton’s films are mostly:• Non-linear narratives – flash

backs, flash forwards, dream sequences, alternative “universes”

• Dual-narrative – two characters “narrate” the story… or two characters show their different perspectives

Key aspects of mise-en-scèneDecorAn important element of ‘putting in the scene’ is décor, the placement of objects and the setting of a scene. Décor can be used to amplify character, emotion or the dominant mood ofa film.

LightingThe intensity, direction and quality of lighting have a profound effect on the way an image is perceived. Light affects the way colours are rendered, both in terms of hue and depth, and can focus attention on particular elements of the composition.

SpaceThe representation of space affects the reading of a film. Depth, proximity, size and proportions of the places and objects in a film can be manipulated through camera placement and lens, lighting and décor, effectively determining mood or relationships between elements in the diegetic world.

CostumeCostume simply refers to the clothes that characters wear. Using certain colours or designs, costume is used in narrative cinema to signify characters or make clear distinctions between characters.ActingCharacters do not simply exist within a setting but rather form visual elements.

Story elementsMany of Burton’s characters are specific archetypes that Burton has developed and cultivated over the years, and that help to define his personal vision. Two significant recurring archetypes are

1. the flawed father and 2. the misunderstood outcast

Compare and contrast Tim Burtons films you know well – and draw up a table / venn diagram / flow chart to show the recurring story elements of Tim Burton’s films

Big Fish – uses monochrome and colour in the flashbacks of Bloom’s past to the present. Look at how the past and present are separated by the use of monochrome and colour.

Symbolism: when something concrete stands for a larger and more abstract idea (i.e. a dead flower may symbolise mortality) or the attribution of symbolic meaning or character to something.Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to imply a resemblance (eg the ‘ship of the desert’ referring to a camel).• Lighting, colour and shapes symbolically work to metaphorically convey the themes and ideas

of the film via the production design. • Film is a visual medium and Burton clearly and imaginatively utilises the broad spectrum of the

medium to progress the story via the design of the film.

Big Fish uses monochrome and colour in the flashbacks of Bloom’s past to thepresent. Look at how the past and present are separated by the use of monochromeand colour.

Consider what this conveys. Show it in as best you can in a graphic organiser / table

I remember growing up and feeling that there is not a lot of room for acceptance. You are taught at a very early age to conform to certain things. – Tim Burton 16

Which scenes in BIG FISH represent this quote.

Name the film techniques used in the scene (s)

Explain the effects of the film techniques in showing the idea(s) in the quote

• Contrasting colour and “neatness” is used to show Tim Burton’s attitudes about different places and groups and people in society.

• Show how 4 scenes from BIG FISH contrast – and explain what the contrast is showing about Tim Burton’s beliefs and attitudes.