Tim Burton: Directing Genius

Direction: the Art of Manipulation

Introduction

The director I have chosen is Tim Burton; a genius storyteller and is creatively beautiful in his own eccentric way. He always has a distinguishable approach to each one of his projects. But I am getting ahead of myself; let me begin with what constitutes a spectacular director.

Art of Directing

Directing is an art form. Sure, it’s a person who supervises the creative aspects of a dramatic production or film and instructs the actors and crew, but directing is so much more. The way one might interpret a script in his/her own unique way. Twisting details or manifesting new “looks” for the set and actors. For Planet of the Apes, Burton “wasn’t interested in creating a sequel or a remake [to the 1968 classic].” He kept it true to the first, yet gave it his own unique flavor. This is an example of which the manner that one sees words on paper and written actions and then transforms them into real life, transforming them into magic. Then he/she can relay these written words to multiple audiences through his/her eyes. Good direction comes from much more than telling people what to do. It comes from working well with the actors, the writers, the crew and funding executives in order to produce one’s own vision.

Working With Burton

Tim Burton not only works well with the financial supporting management via his many movies, but he works beautifully with his cast and crew as seen through his repeated efforts with many of the same people throughout his numerous films. Johnny Depp, Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, Paul Reubens, Winona Ryder, Jack Nicholson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Christopher Walken are only touch the surface of the actors that Burton has worked with more than once. Yet Burton also has an amicable quality that keeps his so close-knit with his fellow crewmembers too. For instance, he’s worked with composer, Danny Elfman, on nearly all of his projects. When Burton was producing James and the Giant Peach and the Nightmare before Christmas, Henry Selick directed both films with numerous inputs from Burton to add to the “burtonesque” quality that both films encompass. Cinematographers Thomas Ackerman and Stefan Czaspsky both have done several of Burton films including Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands; both men contributing their flavor, yet still able to capture Burton’s outlook.

Burton's Style

Burton’s unique style of directing enraptures every one of his audiences and has been for over two decades. John Stanley once said “There are no rules in directing. Only sins and the cardinal one is boredom.” Burton never bores. His films are filled with excitement and suspense and iced with humor. Although categorized as dark, which they sometimes are, Burton can surprise his audience with a “perky” film such as Mars Attacks! or his new blockbuster, Big Fish. However, the majority of Burton’s films have a melancholy and shadowy appearance. This look is slightly out of the ordinary and a bit strange for mainstream movie direction. Yet, it’s that distinguishable characteristic that stamps every movie that Burton is involved with. While still introducing the darker view, Burton manages to incorporate certain lighter images to contrast with the gloomy. It’s that juxtaposition that creates that strong disparity so an audience can immediately sense the two differences. Every one of Burton’s films have a hidden meanings that he is attempting to reveal throughout the course of the movie. These themes are usually insights to the mind and persona of humans alike. Sometimes from seeing the world through such “burtonesque” dark eyes, we can realize the concealed beauty within this murky world. Burton helps open our perceptiveness, yet still keeping us entertained with horror and enticement.

My Style

To me, style is essential yet doesn’t have to conform or be of one specific genre to please. It just has to be there, plain and simple. However, the style should bear in mind the wide varieties of audiences. For example, a movie seen through the eyes of a raver probably wouldn’t be a wonderful idea to have your elderly grandmother see.

Film and Stage Comparison

Film and the stage are opposites, yet alike. As contrary as that may seem it’s true. Both require managing, actors and sometimes music to convey a mood. Yet different kinds of managing, actors and music are required for each. Acting on stage needs voice projection, big movements and hightened facial expressions. While in film, a camera can zoom in on a face and give a microphone to an actor; therefore, the “big” things aren’t necessary and actually might look ridiculous. When it comes to direction, directors on stage realize that “tonight is the night”. A stage director can’t yell “cut” and shoot another scene again. He/she must come to terms with the allotment of space given on the stage and try and produce scenery as best fitting to the size of the stage and the script directions. Film is quite different. A director can’t necessarily “take all the time in the world,” due to budget reasons, but putting together a motion picture scene by scene can allow for as much perfection as possible. They can shoot scenes from different perspectives and show a different side to

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