Themes in ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and other Films

Cinematic Brilliance of Tim Burton

Throughout his career, Tim Burton has shown an ingenious manipulation of color, lighting, camera movement, camera angles, and framing. Burton has been able to successfully captivate large audiences by utilizing these techniques in stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and Corpse Bride. He manages to create a macabre yet whimsical cinematic style; this truly makes each of his films a unique masterpiece and a chilling yet delightful viewing experience.

Lighting Techniques in Storytelling

In the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Burton conveys a suspenseful and eerie tone with his use of low-key lighting.

One example of this takes place at the beginning scenes of the movie. The shot opens to a thick, grey fog; as the camera zooms in, smokestack shows, and it is revealed that you are viewing the chocolate factory of Willy Wonka. Because the scene lacks high-key lighting, it helps to build a chilling and mysterious tone around the chocolate factory, one that may be foreshadowing the events yet to come. Burton also utilizes high-key lighting to convey whimsical tones of joy and kindness. An example of this comes from the film Edward Scissorhands. The scene begins with Peg driving up to Edward’s original home (where he was created). When Peg first views the mansion, she is frightened and does not want to enter, but then we see a pan of the garden, and suddenly that fear is lifted. There are many bright colors and large whimsical creatures that help to create a feeling of joy. This also foreshadows that the person who lives here may be somber and dark on the outside, but at their core, they are kind and bright.

Themes in Edward Scissorhands and Other Films

Tim Burton also uses camera angles and framing to represent lightheartedness along with gloom. In the movie Edward Scissorhands, Peg first meets Edward in the attic of his gothic mansion. Burton gives you a feeling of suspense and genuine fear for Peg by using a long shot. The purpose of the long shot was to make Peg look smaller in this unknown manor she impulsively walked into. The long shot builds suspense by playing with proportions and making Edward seem like a giant in comparison to dainty Peg. In Corpse Bride, Burton uses the low-angle shot on numerous occasions to create a disturbing and eerie feeling for the watchers. Along with the low angle, the high angle shot is utilized in this film as well to help you make assumptions. When Victor and the corpse bride were about to go to the living world, it was intended to be showing the point of view of the man who was sending them. This helps you assume that he is a person of power.

Contrast and Perception through Camera Angles

To first establish the opening scene in Edward Scissorhands, a panel shot is used to establish the contrast between Edward’s mansion and the new neighborhood. The high-angle pan shot introduces the viewer to a community formed to society’s standards and rules called Suburbia. This way, the audience can immediately notice the pastel colors, uniformity of the houses, nature strips, and roads. It sends a message to the viewer that Edward is different and does not belong. This effect is a whimsical way of displaying the change in environments while also presenting how dark and mysterious Edward is perceived by the outside. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a boom shot is taken from the top of the factory to the crowd. It shows an overall excitement between the winners. This technique captures the joy between the winners and the community when the factory is re-opened. These camera angles communicate the central concepts and enhance the underlying themes to the audience.

Conclusion: The Mastery of Burton’s Technique

As we stated at the beginning of our paper, Tim Burton has found a multitude of ways to utilize many different cinematic techniques and, through this, convey an intended emotion. Whether he is putting us at the edge of our seats, in suspense, warming our hearts with joy, or making our eyes light up, his manipulation of angles, movement, and color is nothing short of genius. It is because of his ability to turn technique into emotion that he has become such a well-known and well-respected director across such a wide spectrum.

References:

1. Burton, T. (2005). Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.

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