Tim Burton is known for his dark, quirky films featuring themes of twisted reality. The presentation analyzes Burton's auteurship through three of his films: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Dark Shadows (2012). It explores Burton's recurring themes, stylistic choices like use of color, and longstanding collaborations with actors Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. The presentation examines how these elements establish Burton as an auteur with a unique cinematic vision.

1. Tim Burton Research
Presentation
Jaye Best

2. Style
Can Tim Burton be considered an auteur?
Subtopics...
Themes
Collaborations

3. “I thinkTimBurtonusesauthorshipthroughoutall of hisfilms.I will use the films Charlieand
theChocolateFactory (2005),Alicein Wonderland(2010) and DarkShadows(2012)to explore
Burton’sauteur-shipfeatures.”
• I chose to study Burton’s auteurship features because, I’ve always enjoyed watching his work.
I have always wanted to understand Burton’s messages and values that he portrays
throughout his quirky-style work that makes his films so successful.
• I wanted to establish his relationship with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter and why
the three always choose to work with one another.
• In order to gain a clear conception of Burton’s auteurship, I believe that by studying specific
features (subtopics) such as his styles, themes and collaborations, this will allow me to stretch
into further detail of his auteurship features.
• I chose Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) because I felt it provided a solid
background for the theme of my own film. I want to create a distorted film that portrays a
twisted perception of reality and there is a strong theme of twisted reality in all of Burton’s
work.
• The second film I chose to study is Alice in Wonderland (2010). This film is a great example
of Burton’s distortional perceptions of reality. This film differs fromCharlie and the
Chocolate Factory (2005) and Dark Shadows (2012) as it features a female protagonist.
• Finally, I chose the comedy horror film Dark Shadows (2012), this film explores key stylistic
features of Burton’s auteurship, ultimately making him and his work stand out amongst
other directors.
Hypothesis...

4. About Tim Burton...
• Timothy Walter Burtonborn August 25, 1958
• American film director, producer, artist, writer, and animator.
• Known for his dark, gothic, macabre, quirky horror and fantasy films such as the horror
comedy fantasy Beetlejuice (1988), the romantic dark fantasy Edward
Scissorhands(1990), the musical fantasy-thriller The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993),
the comedy-drama biopic Ed Wood (1994), the fantasy adventure Sleepy Hollow (1999),
the animated fantasy Corpse Bride (2005), the musical horror film Sweeney Todd (2007),
the horror comedy Dark Shadows (2012) and the animated horror
comedy Frankenweenie (2012).
• Five blockbusters such as the adventure comedy Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), the
superhero films Batman (1989) and its first sequel Batman Returns (1992), the sci-fi
film Planet of the Apes (2001), the musical adventure film Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory (2005) and the fantasy film Alice in Wonderland (2010)
• Alice in Wonderland generated a worldwide gross of over $1 billion, being his most
successful film to date.

5. About Tim Burton...• Apprenticeship with Disney when he left California Institute of Arts where he studied animation.
• Disney saw Burton’s potential and therefore gave him the chance to work for them with the freedom
to personalise the creation of these films, this led to the production of the black and white Gothic
film Vincent (1982).
• Frankenweenie (1984), another gothic horror was judged unsuitable for children and was never
released. However, Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman) saw it and decided that Burton, still only in his
mid-twenties, would be the ideal person to direct his feature debut, Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985).
• After the enormous box-office hit of Frankenweenie, this led to the production of the supernatural
comedy Beetlejuice (1988), and the finally the hugely expensive production of Batman (1989).
Although his least personal film, it was one of the most successful films of all time, and gave him
unprecedented power in Hollywood.
• Edward Scissorhands (1990), another hit, saw him at the peak of his creative powers and
established a fruitful working relationship with actor Johnny Depp.
• Batman Returns(1992) was a far darker and quirkier film than the original, a reflection of how
much creative freedom Burton had won (though Warner Bros were reputedly unhappy with the
final result).
• And although Ed Wood (1994), his loving tribute to the life and work of the legendary Worst
Director of All Time, Edward D. Wood Jr., was a box-office disaster, it garnered some of the best
reviews of Burton's career, and suggests that he'll continue dazzling audiences for many years to
come.

6. Films by Burton...

7. Future films by Burton...
As youcan see, even
before Burtonhas
started to direct these
films,there is already
an element of
madness. This conveys
Burtonas an auteur
as his films are
recognisedglobally
without requiringhis
personaldirector
stampon
advertisements.

8. Focal Films...Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world’s most unusual candy maker.
Directors: Tim Burton
Writers: Roald Dahl (book), John August
Stars: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Helena Bonham-Carter, Deep Roy
Country: UK/USA/Austrailia
Budget: $150,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: $56,178,450 (USA) (15 July 2005)
Gross: $206,456,431 (USA) (2 December 2005)
I feel this movie will benefit me during my research process as it is quirky and unique which is my desired style and theme. As a protagonist, Willy Wonka, is a
disorientated man who was brought up having tried no candy therefore he opened his own magical world that allows people all over the world to try a ‘different’
style of candy. I want to focus on a disorientated character that has a reason (history) behind why he is so disorientated, elements of his history is shown through
the use of mise-en-scene and cinematography, by for example, choosing the black and white colour effect or the contrasting vibrant colour.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Nineteen-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and
learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen’s reign of terror.
Directors: Tim Burton
Writers: Linda Wooliverton, Lewis Carroll (book)
Stars: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter,
Country: USA
Budget: $200,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: £10,555,220 (UK) (5 March 2010)
Gross: $334,185,206 (USA) (2 July 2010)
This film will benefit me during my research process because I will highlight Burton’s unique ideas used. For example, I like the idea
of the Mad Hatter and the way he is represented throughout the whole film; a crazy Scottish man with a dark side that is explored
further into the movie. However, I dislike the idea of having a female protagonist that is portrayed as vulnerable and innocent
therefore I will avoid using this stereotype throughout the planning and filming process.
Dark Shadows (2012)
An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need
of his protection.
Directors: Tim Burton
Writers: Seth Grahame-Smith, John August
Stars: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer
Country: USA/Austrailia
Budget: $100,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: $29,685,274 (USA) (11 May 2012)
Gross: $79,711,678 (USA) (10 August 2012)
I feel this movie will benefit my research because I want to be able to study the after effects used to create the dark effects on screen in
order to portray the quirkiness the director desired. These dark effects where maintained throughout the use of after effects and I feel
they will help connote suspicious feelings for the audience as well as create tension between the characters.

9. Adaptations...
Burton generally works on adaptations. This is seen through the
majority of his films such as:
• Alice in Wonderland (2010) – Lewis Carroll
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) – Roald Dahl
• Mrs Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016) – Ransom Riggs
• Dark Shadows (2012) – Dan Curtis
• Edward Scissorhands (1990) – Caroline Thompson
• Batman (1989) – Bob Kane
• James and the Giant Peach (1996) - Roald Dahl
• Hansel and Gretel (1982 ) – Brothers Grimm
By working from books or previously written novels, this shows that
Burton does not write his own material and much prefers the actual
practical work of the pre and post production stages.

10. Throughout Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there is the constant use of
vibrant, over exaggerated colour effects. By including exaggerated colour
effects, this contributes to the overall narrative and genre (adventure,
comedy, fantasy) as this fictional diegesis is not a true representation of
reality but it is more of a positive representation of a child’s utopia and as
this film is aimed at children, this is a crucial stylistic choice that entices the
infant audience to watch this film.
Style – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

11. Similarly to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland
also maintains a strong over exaggerated stylistic feature of vibrant
colour and again as this adventure, fantasy and family film is mainly
focussed at children, the exaggeration of colour helps entices the
younger audience into watching this film.
Throughout all of Burton’s work, he maintains a strong narrative
belonging to the fantasy genre, in which he manages to achieve
successfully in marginally every film he has created, produced and
directed. Although Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory were originally books, Burton manages to create a realistic
representation that Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll could never create
through the imagery created by words.
Style – Alice in Wonderland (2010)

12. Throughout Dark Shadows (2012), there is the use of colour effects added during the
editing process. This is a key stylistic feature of Burton’s auteurship as it is evident is
Alice in Wonderland (2010), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and many
more of Burton’s work such as Corpse Bride (2005) and finally Frankenweenie (2012)
Style – Dark Shadows (2012)
Frankenweenie (2012) Dark Shadows (2012) Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory (2005)
Corpse Bride (2005)
As you can see there is always a colour effect added
during the editing process of Burton’s films. By
adding an editing process this reinforces the
ideology and beliefs behind the director’s choices as
well as reinforcing the narrative. For example, as
Dark Shadows is a comedy horror, so there is the
use of dark lighting in order to contribute to the
overall genre of the film and as Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory is set in a unique utopian
diegesis, by exaggerating the colour effects, this
helps reinforce the exotic and crazy diegesis of the
fictional world.

13. Themes – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
[1] “It is in the flashbacks that Burtonforcefullyimposes his personality, not only
because these scenesdidn’t originatewithDahl, but also because theyrevisit the
parental tensions present in Batman(1989), EdwardScissorhands(1990) and Big
Fish(2003)”
Family is a key theme throughout Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) as
the protagonist Willy Wonka was controlled by his father. This ultimately
caused rebellion on Wonka’s behalf as he proceeded to open the Chocolate
Factory that contrasted his father’s beliefs about sugary sweets. Family is always
seen as a strong theme throughout this film and is concluded in the medium
shot of Charlie Bucket, Mr Bucket, Mrs Bucket, and Grandpa Joe towards the
end of the film where they are all standing facing Wonka who is positioned in
his own isolated medium shot portraying isolation.

14. Themes – Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Throughout Alice in Wonderland, there is the theme of identity as Alice is constantly
questioning herself. When she first steps foot in Wonderland, she has to forever prove that
she is The Alice. Other characters in the film have problems with identity such as the
White Queen separating herself from her sister therefore refusing to believe her own
background. Alice is constantly ordered to identify herself by the variety of creatures she
meets, but she herself has doubts about her true identity. This is supported by the fact that
Alice is forever changing size, height and appearance which she finds “very confusing”
thus supporting the idea that she is questioning her own identity throughout the duration
of the film.
Another theme is courage because Alice was able to find the courage within herself to be
brave and defeat the Jabberwocky. This ties in with identity as once Alice found her
courage, she was brave enough to believe in herself, and she could do what she was
destined to do – defeat the Jabberwocky and the Queen of Hearts.
[2]“All
Burton’s
characters
havea duality
to them”–
Mark
Salisbury

15. Themes – Dark Shadows (2012)
ThroughoutDarkShadows,there’salsothethemeof familyaswellas love.
Love is a constant theme throughout Dark Shadows as the narrative begins with Angelique possessing
Josette (Barnabus’ love) and forcing her to jump off a cliff as she is deeply in love with Barnabus and wants
him all to herself. Love is also seen when Barnabus first meets Maggie Evans/Victoria Winters. This is
evident through the use of two shots showing a connection between Maggie/Victoria and Barnabus Collins.
Mise-en-scene also reinforces the theme of love when Barnabus and Maggie/Victoria are reading at the
beach – the book they are reading is called ‘Love Story’ therefore connoting their love to the audience.
The theme of family is also evident throughout this comedic-horror film as the whole plot revolves around
one family – Collins. Featuring Michelle Pfeiffer as Elizabeth Stoddard Collins, Barnabus’ cousin, Helena
Bonham-Carter as Dr. Julia Hoffman, the family psychiatrist, Eva Green as Angelique Bouchard, Barnabus’
ex-lover, Jonny Lee Miller as Roger Collins, Elizabeth’s brother, Chloe GraceMortez as Carolyn Stoddard,
Elizabeth’s teenage daughter and finally Gulliver McGrath as David Collins, Roger’s deluded son.

16. Some people argue that as Burton always collaborates with Depp,
Bonham-Carter and sound designer Danny Elfman, his work is consistent
and ‘samey’ therefore not exploring his full potential with other famous
actors/actresses or sound crew.
Bonham-Carter, Depp and Elfman all worked with Burton on Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory
[3] “I was quite lucky to have Helena and know her ‘cause when you see
them and you see Freddie and you seen the grandparents they do look like
a family unit and that was really important to me” – Tim Burton
[4] “I worked with Johnny Depp before on ‘Finding Neverland’ and I was quite
sad when I left the set ‘cause I didn’t get to see him again but then I’m doing
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory again with him now and that’s really
amazing” – Freddie Highmore
Collaborations – Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory (2005)

17. Collaborations – Alice in Wonderland (2010)
[5] “They’relikekidswitha dressing-upbox”– MattLucas
[6]“I thinkJohnnyandTimarelikebigkidsreallyandtheyare alsoreallygoodfriendsander,
there’sa greatsenseof funwhenthey’retogether”– MattLucas
Helena Bonham-Carter again features in this Burton production as she plays
the antagonist - The Queen of Hearts
Johnny Depp also features in Alice in Wonderland as he plays the crazy
advisor (Mad Hatter) who helps Alice throughout her experience in
Wonderland.
Matt Lucas plays Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee. This is the first time Burton
and Lucas have collaborated together and their collaboration was a success,
therefore potentially, simulating more collaborations in the future, such as
Burton’s upcoming film Mrs Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Danny Elfman did not score Alice in Wonderland as he as Burton had a fall
out prior to the production of Ed Wood in 1994.

18. Johnny Depp plays the protagonist Barnabus Collins; a
vampire who rose from the dead.
Helena Bonham-Carter plays Dr. Julia Hoffman, a deluded
doctor who wants to become a vampire.
Burton has always chosen to stick within his comfort zone
by casting Helena Bonham-Carter (his ex-wife) and Johnny
Depp (his best friend) in many of his more recent works.
[7] “I always love working with Johnny because he’s an actor
that likes to try different things all the time and that
excites me and each time I work with him it gets better”
– Tim Burton
Collaborations – Dark Shadows (2012)

19. Summary of Burton’s Auteurship...
Burton supports the argument of auteurship:
Yes No Whichfilms?
Collaborations Alice in Wonderland,
Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory,Dark Shadows
Specific/persistent
themes
throughout
majority of films
Alice in Wonderland:
identity
Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory:family
Dark Shadows: family and
love
Specific filming
techniques
throughout
majority of films
Alice in Wonderland: Close
ups
Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory:Close ups
Dark Shadows: Close ups
Final Say




Although Burton is classed as an auteur, he has never actually had the final say
throughout any of his films. He feels by listening to others inputs, such as Johnny
Depp’s, this will further the production and conceptions of the film as a whole.

20. Conclusions so far...
• So far, I have established that Tim Burton carries different themes throughout
many of his films. Family and love tend to be the most common themes in
Burtons work, however, identity is becoming recognised in many more of
Burton’s more modern pieces.
• I have found that Burton creates exaggerated fantasy films adaptations of
original books in order to bring the fictional stories to an extreme version of
reality.
• Burton always manages to include a deluded and mad character that is not
always the protagonist, but towards the end of the film, turns out to be the
wise leader who the protagonist takes influence.
• Finally I have also discovered that Burton, Depp and Bonham-Carter all share
a relationship that cannot be defined as they prefer to keep quiet about the
inside information. I know that they help each other expand and grow within
the film industry, during production and filming as Depp pushes Burton and
Burton helps Depp, vice versa including Bonham-Carter. Despite their split,
they have remained friends and still colleagues when Burton needs her
assistant during filming.
[8] "We
wouldask
that you
respect their
privacyand
that of their
children
during this
time."

21. References...
[1]
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Sight and Sound: The International Film
Magazine
September 2005
Ryan Gibley
[2]
Mark Salisbury
1995
Burton on Burton
Revised Edition
London
Faber and Faber Limited
Page 135
[3], [4] & [7]
Willy Wonka (2015) Making of Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory 2/5
Available online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHO
wUUo9RKQ
[5] & [6]
The StonesDeppfan (2010) Johnny
Depp and Tim Burton - Interviews
Face to Face: Alice in Wonderland
Available online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A
VSiY2PbTtc
[8] Yahoo Celebrity Staff (2014) Tim
Burton and Helena Bonham Carter
Split
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-
news/news/tim-burton-and-helena-
bonham-carter-split-20143012#
(04/11/2015)