Tim Burton interviewed on The Treatment

Tim Burton is a film director, producer, writer and artist.  Some of the films he is known for is Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Batman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and, The Nightmare Before Christmas.  During his interview with Elvis Mitchell on The Treatment, which aired February 20, 2013 he talks about his latest film Frankenweenie.

Tim Burton is someone I admire in the film industry.  I love the creativity of his films especially the characters.  During the interview Burton mentions how he grew up by a cemetery which to him was normal.  He didn’t view the cemetery as scary or creepy like others do.  Another interesting fact he mentioned about his childhood and growing up was that he flinched at hugs.  He didn’t grow up in a home that showed much emotion and that went into his characters, specifically Edward Scissorhands.

One of the questions Tim Burton gets asked a lot is which character he identifies with.  In The Treatment he states, “I try to identify with a lot of characters, Scissorhands, Ed Wood or whatever.  Those are all true but I definitely identify with Sweeney Todd as well, there’s something about his interior nature and yes and no answers.”  Many directors identify with characters in their film, with Tim Burton there’s a dark mysterious side to him which reflects in his films and art.  I believe this quote is noteworthy because like he mentioned it’s a question that many people want to know.

In the film Frankenweenie Tim Burton made it in black and white.  He states, If you deprive people of let’s say color, other emotions kind of come out stronger you know you get something and that’s what I felt.”  Making Frankenweenie in black and white it gave the feel for the movie or emotion like Tim Burton mentioned.  Frankenweenie is about a boy who brings his dog Sparky back to life.  I believe this quote is noteworthy because in many of Tim Burton’s films there’s a darkness to them, but not in a scary way.  For example in his film Edward Scissorhands the character is dressed in all black but he is very gentle and timid.  Also in the film The Nightmare Before Christmas the film is in color but not bright color.

Tim Burton has been seen as someone different in the film industry when it comes to style.  He mentions, “When you’re perceived as something different you’re always trying to kind of explain your way into the normal world I guess in some way…  people start labeling you as somebody strange or weird, you sort of give up and go ok well if that’s what you think then it became sort of a liberation.”  Tim Burton’s films are different; when you view one of his films you know the characters are going to be unique as well as the film.  This quote is noteworthy because I believe this attitude has a lot to do with Tim Burton’s success.  By him being ok with being viewed as weird in a sense, he’s able to do his work freely without caring what others say.

I learned a lot of about Tim Burton’s style in this interview.  As well as where he gets some of the ideas for his films.  Tim Burton contributes a lot of creativity in the film world with his great talent.