Burton uses lighting to show fantasy and reality in his movies. In the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory high key lighting represents fantasy. The lighting is used in Willy Wonka’s factory showing that it is every kid’s dream to visit it. Although it is his fantasy, Charlie knows that a fantasy is all it ever will be. To represent this low key lighting is used in Charlie’s home to show that the reality of his life is there living in poverty. This pattern continues in the cult classic Edward Scissorhands. The town that Edward is welcomed into is in high lighting to signify that it is the life that he never had. He wants to be accepted and loved and this is the place that his wish comes true. Unfortionatly we know that his fantasy is unrealistic and there is no way he can live normally. His sad life he must live is inside an empty mansion which is shot in low lighting signifying the lonely reality of his home. Lighting gives you an idea of what is real and what is only a fantasy.
Burton uses angles to show the level of power of characters. A good example is in the movie Big Fish during the conversation between Edward and Karl different angles are used between them. A low angle is used on Edward showing that he is small and weak. The love angle makes him look as though he is pathetic and you can look down upon him. On the other hand, Karl is shot using a high angle making him look larger and more powerful then he already is. This angle shows that he is Edwards’s superior. In Edward Scissorhands during the scene where Edward is making an ice sculpture Kim is shot in a high angle. This signifies that she is truly happy and on top of the world. At the moment she feels nothing can bring her down.
Spoiler! :
Tim Burton is a master at making movies taking full advantage of cinematic techniques creating a sense of power in characters and contrasting fantasy with reality.
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