TIM BURTON ANALYTICAL ESSAY English 9 Perry High

TIM BURTON ANALYTICAL ESSAY English 9 Perry High School

PROMPT Write an essay ANALYZING the cinematic style of director Tim Burton. Focus on the ways in which the director uses stylistic techniques across films to achieve his argument on the anti-hero’s role in society.

PREPA RE What is an anti-hero? How do Burton’s characters exemplify the concept of the anti-hero? According to Tim Burton, what is the role of the antihero in society?

WRITING EFFECTIVE ANALYTICAL STATEMENTS English 9 Perry High School

Purpose of Cinematic Element Analytical Triangle Example of Cinematic Element Effect of Cinematic Choice WWH STATEMENTS • WWH set is for analysis essays when analyzing an author’s (OR director’s) argument or purpose. • W: What cinematic technique is Burton using? • W: Where is cinematic technique being used? (compare to textual evidence) • H: How does Burton use this cinematic technique effectively in order to further his message about the anti-hero?

TIM BURTON CINEMATIC ANALYSIS: THE CORPSE BRIDE Tim Burton, in The Corpse Bride, uses (cinematic element) in order to (achieve what purpose). For example, (insert example from the movie here). Therefore, (explain the effect the example has on the viewer. )

TIM BURTON CINEMATIC ANALYSIS: THE CORPSE BRIDE Tim Burton, in The Corpse Bride, uses dramatic music in order to help the viewers see the protagonist as an unlikely hero.

TIM BURTON CINEMATIC ANALYSIS: CHARLIE AND THE CHOC. FACTORY Tim Burton, in The Corpse Bride, uses dramatic music in order to help the viewers see the protagonist as an unlikely hero. For example, when Victor is practicing his vows in the creepy forest and Emily, the scary corpse bride, reaches out and snatches Victor’s hand, Tim Burton uses dramatic music and sound effects to help the audience feel the scariness of the scene.

TIM BURTON CINEMATIC ANALYSIS: CHARLIE AND THE CHOC. FACTORY Tim Burton, in The Corpse Bride, uses dramatic music W in order to help the viewers see the protagonist as an unlikely hero. For example, when Victor is practicing his vows in the creepy forest and Emily, the scary corpse bride, reaches out and snatches Victor’s hand, Tim W Burton uses dramatic music and sound effects to help the audience feel the scariness of the scene. Burton does a great job in scaring the viewers and helping us H feel that Victor is afraid and not necessarily a hero.

TIM BURTON CINEMATIC ANALYSIS: EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Tim Burton, in Edward Scissorhands, uses (cinematic element) in order to (achieve what purpose). For example, (insert example from the movie here). Therefore, (explain the effect the example has on the viewer. )

TIM BURTON CINEMATIC ANALYSIS: EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Tim Burton, in Edward Scissorhands, uses back lighting in an effort to show characters as frightening or threatening.

TIM BURTON CINEMATIC ANALYSIS: EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Tim Burton, in Edward Scissorhands, uses back lighting in an effort to show characters as frightening or threatening. For example, when Peg finds Edward in the attic of the mansion, back lighting is used to make Edward look dangerous.

TIM BURTON CINEMATIC ANALYSIS: EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Tim Burton, in Edward Scissorhands, uses back W lighting in an effort to show characters as frightening or threatening. For example, when Peg finds Edward in the attic of the mansion, back lighting is used to W make Edward look dangerous. By making viewers worry about Peg’s well-being, Burton sets up Peg as a potential victim. Edward is portrayed as threatening, H but later is revealed as kind and, therefore, an antihero.

FORMAT OF THE ESSAY Introduction Paragraph Attention Grabber/Hook Thesis Body Paragraph 1 Analytical Statement 2 Reflective Commentary Body Paragraph 2 Analytical Statement 1 Analytical Statement 2 Reflective Commentary Conclusion Paragraph

TIM BURTON ANALYTICAL ESSAY English 9 Perry High School

HOOK (ATTENTION GRABBER) Grab the attention of the reader. Chocolate rivers, scissors for hands, and dancing skeletons– this may seem like a child’s midnight dream, but it’s actually a description of the successful filmmaker, Tim Burton. His quirky, fantastical worlds and unlikely heroes have helped make Burton one of the world’s most beloved movie-makers.

THESIS In the motion pictures Edward Scissorhands and Corpse Bride (or another film), director Tim Burton uses ________ and _________ in order to support the argument that the anti-hero has an important role in society.

TOPIC SENTENCE (PARAGRAPH 1) In his motion pictures, Burton uses dramatic music and sound effects to support the notion that the anti-hero is important in society.

ANALYTICAL STATEMENT (WHH SET #1) Tim Burton, in The Corpse Bride, uses dramatic W music in order to help the viewers see the protagonist as an unlikely hero. For example, when Victor is practicing his vows in the creepy forest and W Emily, the scary corpse bride, reaches out and snatches Victor’s hand, Tim Burton uses dramatic music and sound effects to help the audience feel the scariness of the scene. Burton does a great job H in scaring the viewers and helping us feel that Victor is afraid and not necessarily a hero.

ANALYTICAL STATEMENT (WWH SET #2) In addition, when Victor tricks Emily into taking him back to the land of the living, Emily catches Victor W talking to Victoria. When she realizes that Victor is trying to stay with Victoria, Emily gets really angry and the music turns scary and suspenseful. Again, Burton does a good job helping us feel the tension of the H moment and highlight the fact that Victor is in way over his head. The anti-hero quality of being a “screwup” is very evident.

REFLECTIVE COMMENTARY Clearly, Burton uses music and sound effects masterfully in helping the viewers see how Victor is inept, and not a traditional hero. Later in the movie, the audience sees Victor as a true hero, fighting Lord Barkus with a simple fork and preventing him from harming Victoria. This is a clear example of Tim Burton’s notion that the unsung hero is very important to society.

TOPIC SENTENCE (PARAGRAPH 2) Director Tim Burton also uses interesting lighting effects to support the notion that the anti-hero is important in society.

ANALYTICAL STATEMENT (WHH SET #1) Tim Burton, in Edward Scissorhands, uses back W lighting in an effort to show characters as frightening or threatening. For example, when Peg finds Edward in the attic of the mansion, W back lighting is used to make Edward look dangerous. By making viewers worry about Peg’s well-being, Burton sets up Peg as a H potential victim. Edward is portrayed as threatening, but later is revealed as kind and, therefore, an anti-hero.

ANALYTICAL STATEMENT (WWH SET #2) In addition, when Edward is captured trying to rob Jim’s house, he exits the house slowly as he W walks to the police. Back lighting is used to make Edward look dangerous and menacing. Again, Burton does a good job helping us feel the H tension of the moment and showcase the fact that Edward seems to be a monster, but in reality, he is kind, caring and supportive.

REFLECTIVE COMMENTARY Burton uses interesting lighting techniques adeptly in helping the viewers see how Edward is an unlikely hero. He is the opposite of what he seems. Edward is not the enemy here, others in the town are. This is yet another clear example of Tim Burton’s notion that the antihero is very important to society.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH In Burton’s films The Corpse Bride and Edward Scissorhands, the audience sees how he uses ________ and _________ in order to support the argument that the anti-hero is important in our society.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH CONT. When Burton uses _____ and _____, it reinforces the idea that his characters are unexpected heroes who don’t fit society’s ideas of a true hero. Nonetheless, the viewers still want them to succeed.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH CONT. Burton’s unique, incredibly imaginative worlds and eccentric heroes help to teach us that the anti-hero is not only important, but alive in all of us.