Tim Burton

WATCHING BIG FISH AND STUDYING TIM BURTON
Allow 6-8 hrs for this module

Viewing

Our first activity will be to watch a film called Big Fish, by Tim Burton.  Tim Burton is often referred to as an auteur - a person whose filmmaking style is recognisable like a signature.  You will have to do a written task, answering questions about Tim Burton's filmmaking style, as well as common themes and motifs found in Tim Burton films.  You should have a look at Tim Burton's IMDb page, and do a bit of research on his filmmaking style.  Some pages to get you started are here, here, here and here.  

Watch Vincent and Frankenweenie too.  They're early Tim Burton films which reveal much about where he was headed as a young filmmaker.  Then, check out the videos on directors and auteurs before doing the written task.

More about Tim Burton's Visual Style and Themes

Tim Burton is known for his distinctive visual style, which often includes the use of unusual motifs and themes. Some common motifs in his films include:

• Gothic or horror elements: Many of Burton's films have a Gothic or horror aesthetic, with elements such as spooky mansions, dark forests, and supernatural creatures.

• Quirky or offbeat characters: Burton's films often feature characters that are strange, eccentric, or otherwise unconventional. These characters may be outsiders of societal norms or have physical abnormalities.

• An exploration of the macabre: Many of Burton's films deal with themes of death and the afterlife, and often feature characters grappling with their own mortality.

• A sense of whimsy: Despite their sometimes dark themes, many of Burton's films also have a sense of whimsy or playfulness. This is often reflected in the use of vibrant colors, imaginative settings, and absurd or humorous situations.

• A celebration of the outsider: Many of Burton's films center around characters who are outsiders or misfits, and often explore themes of acceptance and belonging.

Big Fish can be viewed for free on Clickview, using your College username and password.

In the film Big Fish, the main character Edward Bloom is portrayed as an outsider in several ways. He is a traveling salesman who spends much of his life on the road and is rarely home, which makes him somewhat of an outsider in his own family. Additionally, Edward is known for telling tall tales and exaggerating the truth, which often leads people to view him as strange or unreliable. The film explores the idea of the outsider and how Edward's unusual personality and life experiences have shaped him into the person he is.

There are several other characters in Big Fish who could be considered outsiders. One example is Will Bloom, the main character's son, who feels like an outsider in his own family due to his father's absences and his difficulty connecting with him. Another example is Karl the Giant, a character based on one of Edward's tall tales, who is an enormous man with a kind heart but is viewed as a freak by others due to his size. Additionally, there are several other characters in the film who are outsiders in their own way, such as the witch who lives in the woods and the mermaid who lives in the river, due to their unusual and fantastical natures.

Some other examples of Tim Burton films that specifically center around offbeat outsiders include:

• Edward Scissorhands - The titular character, Edward, is a creation with scissors for hands who is isolated from society and struggles to fit in.

• Beetlejuice - The main characters, a recently deceased couple, are outsiders in the sense that they are ghosts who are no longer a part of the living world.

• The Nightmare Before Christmas - The main character, Jack Skellington, is the "Pumpkin King" of Halloween Town, but becomes disenchanted with his role and sets out to become the "Sandy Claws" of Christmas. In doing so, he becomes an outsider in both worlds.

• Mars Attacks! - The Martians in this film are outsiders in the sense that they are extraterrestrial beings who invade Earth.

• Frankenweenie - The main character, Victor, is an outsider in his school and community because of his unconventional interests and his decision to bring his deceased dog back to life.

• The Corpse Bride - The film tells the story of Victor, a young man who accidentally marries a corpse while practicing his wedding vows in the woods.

• Batman Returns - The film follows the story of Bruce Wayne, a billionaire playboy who becomes the vigilante known as Batman after witnessing his parents' murder as a child.

• Alice in Wonderland - The film follows Alice, a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a strange and fantastical world filled with peculiar characters.

• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - The film follows the story of a young boy named Jake who discovers a secret home for children with extraordinary abilities and becomes their protector.

• Sleepy Hollow - The film is a retelling of the classic story of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and follows the story of Ichabod Crane, a constable who is sent to the town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of mysterious murders.