Because Tim Burton was influenced by fairy tales and children’s stories, Dr. Seuss, and Edgar Allen Poe, his films are characterized by a combination of childlike innocence and dark elements. These attributes are present in many of his films, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and in his most recent film, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016). Burton’s first project was called Vincent (1982), and it showed some of the common themes and influences that Burton would continue to pursue and expand in future films. Through low key lighting, high angles, and low angles, Burton’s use of techniques would continue to expand his films of dark elements.
To start, a cinematic technique that is frequently used in Burton’s films is low key lighting. This technique is used to convey suspense or suspicion. In Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, almost every scene that …show more content…
These are used in contrast to high angles, making the subject seem larger than normal, strong, powerful, and threatening. Almost every time we see the factory or Mr. Wonka in Charlie’s point of view during Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, low angles are used. In this case, they make the chocolate factory seem impressive and Mr. Wonka to be powerful and awe- inspiring (especially in Charlie’s grandfather’s memories). This helps with the childlike innocence theme. In Alice in Wonderland, the same technique is used. During their conversation of Alice’s nightmare, low angles are used on her father, making him seem powerful and safe in contrast to her weak and vulnerable state. Once again, in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, a low angle is used when Jake is first introduced to Miss Peregrine. This is because she is considered to be a mother figure to the children, a powerful and safe person like Alice’s father. In these examples, low angles are used to help show dark elements and important
To start, a cinematic technique that is frequently used in Burton’s films is low key lighting. This technique is used to convey suspense or suspicion. In Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, almost every scene that …show more content…
These are used in contrast to high angles, making the subject seem larger than normal, strong, powerful, and threatening. Almost every time we see the factory or Mr. Wonka in Charlie’s point of view during Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, low angles are used. In this case, they make the chocolate factory seem impressive and Mr. Wonka to be powerful and awe- inspiring (especially in Charlie’s grandfather’s memories). This helps with the childlike innocence theme. In Alice in Wonderland, the same technique is used. During their conversation of Alice’s nightmare, low angles are used on her father, making him seem powerful and safe in contrast to her weak and vulnerable state. Once again, in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, a low angle is used when Jake is first introduced to Miss Peregrine. This is because she is considered to be a mother figure to the children, a powerful and safe person like Alice’s father. In these examples, low angles are used to help show dark elements and important