Auteur Theory is defined as a director who uses film like a pen. He is the main creative force when it comes to the movie. Directors who are considered ‘auteurs’ have the creative ability to make feature films that are based on their own imagination, are part of their personalities, or which they find as a genuine interest (James). There are many directors who classify as auteur with their specific style and themes but Tim Burton is a very prominent one. Burton plays with dark themes in a childlike and innocent way and incorporates his beliefs and experiences. As a kid he spent a lot of time alone and was misunderstood (“Tim Burton”), so that’s why he incorporates the childlike aspect into everything he works on.

Tim Burton movies are easily identified by their similar visual styles and themes. Burton’s films usually have dark color schemes like in the movies The Corpse Bride from 2005 , and Nightmare Before Christmas from 1993. These movies mainly have different shades of blues, blacks, browns, etc. for the settings which illicit a creepy or dark feeling about it. To counteract the dark look and feeling the films are riddled with childlike innocence mainly instilled in the main character (“Tim Burton”). Victor, the main male in The Corpse Bride is an innocent and nervous guy who gets himself accidentally married to a dead woman but he remains kind and naive. Hidden under the innocence are more intense and darker themes like death, betrayal, and greed.  Both of these movies are also both stop-motion pictures which Burton makes a good amount of. They are also both musical. The 12 year gap between when these films were released shows that he keeps with the dark visuals and animations. 

He focuses on contrast in the look and message of his films. Some of his movies have brighter settings. The scenes and mise en scene work as a tool to exaggerate the theme and point of the film. The movie Edward Scissorhands starts in a dark, ominous looking castle with very little pops of color inside but a beautifully well-kept garden. Then moves to a very systematic neighborhood with over the top bright colors. Putting a character who is always seen in dark clothing and is very different from anyone else in the film helps show the importance of the contrast of how people see Edward, dark and scary, and how he really is, childlike and innocent. Burton is playing with the theme of peer pressure and conformity in this film, which contrasts to the bright fun colors of the scenes. Burton’s way of showing his theme by hiding serious and adult issues behind childlike actions and mise en scene is a trademark of his work. Contrast is a big part of his work. 

In his films that are not animated like Ed Wood from 1994 and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from 2005 he still carries the same trademarks. Tim Burton films are known for having recurring actors like Johnny Depp and Helena Carter. For reference Depp has been in about 10 out of the 26 movies that Burton has directed and Carter has been in 8 so far. Burton also shows that he can work outside of horror, drama, and animation. 

Ed Wood is a bio-pic about Ed Wood who is said to be the worst director ever. Depp played the very childlike and naive Ed Wood who was different from others around him. This film played with the theme of conformity, again, and staying true to oneself. The contrast of the playful and hopeful Ed and the frustrated and pseudo supportive Dolores helps exaggerate how silly Ed really is.  The choice of making the film black and white helps enforce the theme by saying that not everything is black and white. The use of such a playful character to overcome such large obstacles really shows Burton’s signature on the film. Ed went through the pressure of liking to cross dress, the pressure of being a crappy director, the pressure of dealing with a friend and mentor using drugs, and the pressure of trying to make a movie. All of which are such intense and dark things. 

Tim Burton is an auteur. He leaves his mark on any movie he directs and truly uses the films to show his personality and his tastes. He uses innocence and playfulness to delve into intense and dark themes. Burton incorporates his  beliefs and values (“Tim Burton”).  He also works in many different types of films but always manages to keep the fantasy element and merge it into the film.

Work Cited

James, Samuel, and Samuel James. “The Beginner’s Guide: Tim Burton, Director.” Film Inquiry, 14 Apr. 2017, http://www.filminquiry.com/the-beginners-guide-tim-burton-director/.

“Tim Burton.” So The Theory Goes, 27 Mar. 2019, http://www.sothetheorygoes.com/auteur-tim-burton/.