Wider Film Theories. Auteur Theory

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Auteur Theory The auteur is a word that is French in Origin and simply means Author (Hathaway, 2011). The word Auteur was first used in France, usually used to describe a composer.

1 Wider Film Theories In this Essay, I will be looking at some Wider Film Theories that is, Auteur Theory, Surrealism and German Expressionism. In this Essay, I will also look at how the Director Tim Burton is linked to these theories and how they impact upon his film productions. Auteur Theory The auteur is a word that is French in Origin and simply means Author (Hathaway, 2011). The word Auteur was first used in France, usually used to describe a composer. Auteur Theory was created by a French filmmaker and critic called François Truffaut, who wrote an article titled Une certaine tendance du cinéma français. in a French magazine called Cahiers du Cinéma in January 1954 (The Chicago School Of Media Theory, 2017) (Hathaway, 2011). Since this Article was published, the term Auteur has been widely used in the film industry to describe a director that has a distinctive style (The Chicago School Of Media Theory, 2017). The essential idea behind auteur theory is that a filmmaker exercises an authorship over his work, and this authorship is present in every film he (or she) makes. (Hathaway, 2011). French filmmaker and critic - François Truffaut - (Hathaway, 2011) filmmakers. Therefore, Tim Burton can be regarded to be an Auteur because he is a very good example of a director that has his own unique style that is very unlike any other modern-day Directors that are said to be Auteurs will have their own unique filmic trademarks. A Trademark of a director can be described as a visual stamp on a piece of film, that gives away who the film was directed by. Whether it be a style or technique they use, a theme they usually include, a special effect they like or how they use narrative, you should be able to tell who directed a film just by looking for their trademarks (Chan, 2014). Tim Burton has many distinctive trademarks that can be described as Burtonesque, these include: The beginning credits sequence with the camera going through something or following something, For example in Batman (1989). Tim Burton Posing with two figures from The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - (Grace, 2017) His films often have a Gothic feel to them, often including Christmas and/or Halloween scenes. For Example, Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (Although He did not direct this film, he wrote it) included both of these elements. The plot often focuses on a misunderstood outcast. Famous examples include Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Sleepy Hallow (1999). He Frequently uses Music from the Composer Danny Elfman. Usually includes fantasy elements in his films. Fathers are portrayed in a negative light in his films. Most his films tend to be either dark or colourful, and sometimes contain scenes of both, again a Famous Example of this is The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). Includes extremely dark Gothic atmosphere in buildings and set design. His stories are often set in nonspecific locations and incorporate elements from Britain and America

Often shows scarecrows in his movies. Many of his films feature townspeople who misunderstand and/or distrust the lead character.

This can be seen in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005), Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Sleepy Hollow (1999).

Johnny Depp has starred in eight of Burton's films, some examples are Edward Scissorhands (1990), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) and the Corpse Bride (2005).

2 Often shows scarecrows in his movies. Many of his films feature townspeople who misunderstand and/or distrust the lead character. Most characters in his films are pale-faced or monster-like, with unwashed black hair and glasses. This can be seen in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005), Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Sleepy Hollow (1999). Tim Burton is also a Fan of Stop-motion animation and frequently uses it in his films. He frequently uses Johnny Depp in his films. Johnny Depp has starred in eight of Burton's films, some examples are Edward Scissorhands (1990), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) and the Corpse Bride (2005). (IMDB, 2017), (IMDB, 2017). Tim Burton Background The Background of an Auteur can have an impact on the types films they will produce. Timothy Walter Burton (Tim Burton) is an American Director, artist, writer and animator who was born in Burbank California on the 25 th August 1958 (Grover, 2013). He has a quirky and distinctive style that is dark, and Gothic and it is this distinctive style that sets Burton apart from other modernday filmmakers and it is why he is regarded an Auteur (Grover, 2013). Tim Burton spent most of his childhood as a recluse, drawing cartoons, and watching old movies (IMDB, 2017). He mainly enjoyed horror and sci-fi films (Andac, 2003), and some films he enjoyed could be considered to be German Expressionism such as Metropolis (1927) (Dias, 2015). The Young Tim Burton was also a fan of films that starred Vincent Price, which was the inspiration for his first film which was a short animated film titled Vincent in 1982 (IMDB, 2017). The Film was even voiced by Vincent Price himself. The Short was a success and won many awards. Some of Tim Burton s most famous films have been based on drawings he did as a child, examples include Edward Scissorhands and Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Tim Burton s First Short Vincent (1982) (IMDB, 2017) Before Christmas. (Gallagher, 2012). Another one of Burton s popular films Frankenweenie (1984) was based on a childhood pet called Peppi, Burton has said: If I could have brought him back to life, I would (Pringle, 2012).The first instance of Burtons work being recognised was when he was still at school in the 9 th Grade, when he entered a piece of his artwork into a competition that was run for an antilitter poster by a local garbage company, he won, and his artwork was placed on the company s vans (IMDB, 2017). After Highschool Tim Burton attended the California Institute of the Arts (IMDB, 2017), which he graduated from in 1979 (TimeToast, 2017). Tim Burton s First job was an animator at Disney, he worked as an animator on The Fox and The Hound (1981) and The Tim Burton s Anti-litter poster - (Hill, 2010) Early Drawing of Jack Skellington - (icollector.com, 2017) Black Cauldron (1985) (IMDB, 2017). Disney recognised his talent, but thought that his style was too dark for children (IMDB, 2017), this is why his original Frankenweenie was rejected by Disney (Gallagher, 2012). However, Disney allowed him to produce his first film Vincent in 1982 (IMDB, 2017). He has shot many films since his departure from Disney. However, Disney has since

3 collaborated with him on Nightmare Before Christmas, James and The Giant Peach and Alice and Wonderland (Pringle, 2012). Although Tim Burton is not a comic book fan Warner Bros. entrusted him with Batman (1989) and is Burtons most successful film (IMDB, 2017). Most fans of the superhero disliked his take on Batman and he has since been banned from attending all comic-con events (IMDB, 2017). Tim Burton s Filmography Tim Burton has been entertaining audiences with his quirky style since his debut in 1985 when he directed his first feature film Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985) (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton then went on to direct one of his most famous works which was Beetle Juice (1988), The Film was deemed a masterpiece when it was released and is still watched to this day (Enos, 2016). The Next film he directed was Batman (1989), which is Tim Burton s most successful film (IMDB, 2017). For his fourth full-length feature film Tim Burton began to write his own films, the first film he wrote and produced was Edward Scissorhands (1990) (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton then Returned to the Superhero Genre when he made his second Batman film, Batman Returns (1992) (Enos, 2016), three years after his first edition to the franchise. Although Tim Burton did not direct The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (Enos, 2016) because he was too busy with his previous film Batman Returns (1992) at the time (Watchmojo.com, 2013). Tim Burton s Next film was a collaboration with a director that inspired him called Ed Wood, the film they created was Ed Wood (1994) and it was about Ed Wood s life (Enos, 2016). Burton then made Mars Attacks (1996), which is a comedy that featured Cartoony Aliens (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton then returned to his Gothic dark style when we produced Sleepy Hollow (1999) (Enos, 2016). Burton then directed Planet of The Apes (2001), It is said to be one of Burtons worst films (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton then Redeemed himself with Big Fish (2003), it is another one of Burton s films that are set in a fantasy world (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton then undertook the task of remaking a classic film and Book by Roald Dahl when created Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005). However, many people criticized Burton trying to remake a classic film (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton also produced another film in 2005, and this was the Corpse Bride (2005). Tim Burton wanted to step back into the animation field because of how well The Nightmare Before Christmas was received. He did not only direct this film, he also wrote it (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton stepped away from the animation Genre again when he directed Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (2007). It was also Tim Burton s First time to Tackle a musical (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton s Latest films was another remake of a classic tale and a pairing with Disney, that was Alice and Wonderland (2010). This remake was very well received, and the studios are making a sequel to the film (Enos, 2016). Tim Burton has also released many other films before he Directed Pee Wee s Big Adventure in 1985, such as Vincent (1892). He has also Produced more films Since He Directed Dark Souls (2012) and Frankeenweenie (2012), which was another pairing with Disney. It is Rumoured that Tim Burton will Release his remake of Dumbo In 2019 (Fu, 2017).

4 1 Pee-Wee s Big Adventure (1985) (Amazon UK, 2017) 2 - Beetle Juice (1988) (Amazon UK, 2017) 3 Batman (1989) (Wikipedia, 2017) 4 Edward Scissorhands (1990) (UK, 2017) 5 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (Fandom, 2017) 6 Ed Wood (1994) (Pinterest, 2017) 7 Mars Attacks (1996) (WKMS.org, 2017) 8 Sleepy Hollow (1999) (Barnes and Noble, 2017) 9 - Planet of The Apes (2001) (Listal, 2017) 10 Big Fish (2003) (IMDB, 2017) 11 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) (WarnerBros., 2017) 12 Corpse Bride (2005) (Rotten Tomatoes, 2017) 13 Dark Shadows (2012) (IMDB, 2017) 14 Frankenweenie (2012) (IMDB, 2017)

5 Tim Burton Legacy The Meaning of a Legacy according to the Cambridge Dictionary is something that is a part of your history or that remains from an earlier time (Cambridge University Press, 2017). In his career, Burton has directed 16 features over nearly 30 years (Itzkoff, 2012). By looking at Tim Burton s Filmography we can see that he has contributed a large number of works to the film industry and has created a legacy that present and future directors can incorporate into their own productions. His Filmography also spans many genres and production styles. As we explored earlier in this essay Tim Burton has a distinctive style, that can be said to be Burtonesque, and certain recurring themes in his films and this is all a part of his Legacy. Tim Burton has also brought some notable changes to the industry that will surely be carried down to the next generation of Film Makers: With Batman (1989) Burton reinvented the narrative of the Modern super-hero film (Itzkoff, 2012). He revived the art of Stop-motion Animation with his animations the Corpse Bride (2005) and although he didn t direct it The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (Itzkoff, 2012). Tim Burton Still has years of Film-making left so there is no doubt that he will add to his Legacy. Even when Tim Burton was asked what he wanted his Legacy to be he Joking responded, What do I want on my gravestone? (Itzkoff, 2012) He Then went on to say, The thing that I care about most that you did something that really had an impact on them. (Itzkoff, 2012). Surrealism Surrealism is Another wider film theory that can be linked to the filmmaking of Tim Burton. Surrealism is A 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature which sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind (Oxford University Press, 2017). The Movement originated in Paris in 1924 and was made up of a number of Writers, Artists and Filmmakers, including André Breton ( ), Salvador Dali ( ), and Luis Buñuel ( ) (DivaDaniela, 2017). The Surrealism movement included shocking and absurd imagery, and its aim was to challenge the idea that art was trying to portray reality (DivaDaniela, 2017). Surrealism was inspired by the Dada movement that began in 1915 after World War 1 (DivaDaniela, 2017). The Dada movement and the Surrealism movement were quite similar in the sense that they both merged two contrasting ideas or images together for effect, or in other words both movements were characterised by juxtapositions (DivaDaniela, 2017). According to the Collins Dictionary the meaning of juxtapositions is The juxtaposition of two contrasting objects, images, or ideas is the fact that they are put together, so that the differences between them are emphasized. (Collins, 2017). Many French Impressionist filmmakers worked in the commercial side of the film industry, but surrealist filmmakers tended to only showcase their work in small groups of people such as in small gatherings of artists (DivaDaniela, 2017). Surrealism is typically associated with dreamlike state or fantasy worlds, and this of course is where the majority of Tim Burton s films are set. Alice and Wonderland (2010) is a very good example of the surrealist themes Burton uses in his films. (Anon., 2013). The Characters in Alice and Wonderland are exaggerated to the extent that it would be impossible to see such a person in real-life. For example, the Red Queen s head has been enlarged and so was the eyes of the Mad Hatter. (Anon., 2013). Another good example of the Surrealist themes in Tim Burton s films is the fact that the Protagonists that are in his films are always pale-faced with black unwashed and messy hair, again it

would not be likely that you would meet anyone that resembles one of Burtons Characters in reallife.

, 2013) Surrealist cinema was directly linked to Surrealism in literature and painting (DivaDaniela, 2017) and this rings true for Tim Burton s Films because they have sometimes been based on

In 2009-2010 Tim Burton s artwork was displayed in an Exhibition in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York (MoMA, 2017).

This included never-before-seen drawings, paintings, photographs, moving image works, concept art, storyboards, puppets, maquettes, costumes, and A Sketch of Edward Scissorhands (1990) Another

, 2013) cinematic ephemera from such films as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Mars Attacks!, Ed Wood, and Beetlejuice (MoMA, 2017). Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow (1999).

6 would not be likely that you would meet anyone that resembles one of Burtons Characters in reallife. The Mad Hatter With enlarged bright green eye, a very pale complexion and fizzy unwashed bright ginger hair. Unlike Anyone you would see in reallife. (Anon., 2013) Surrealist cinema was directly linked to Surrealism in literature and painting (DivaDaniela, 2017) and this rings true for Tim Burton s Films because they have sometimes been based on surrealistic sketches that he either drew during his childhood or in his adult life while planning a production. An Example of this includes a Sketch of Edward Scissorhands in 1990 (K.Wish, 2011). In Tim Burton s artwork was displayed in an Exhibition in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York (MoMA, 2017). The Exhibition included both drawings from his childhood and his later work linked to his films. This included never-before-seen drawings, paintings, photographs, moving image works, concept art, storyboards, puppets, maquettes, costumes, and A Sketch of Edward Scissorhands (1990) Another Character from Alice and Wonderland (2010). The Red Queen with an enlarged head, bright red curly hair and a petite torso. (Anon., 2013) cinematic ephemera from such films as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Mars Attacks!, Ed Wood, and Beetlejuice (MoMA, 2017). Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow (1999). Again, Burton uses a character with a Pale complexion and Unwashed hair. (Tributa.ca, 2017) A Sample of Tim Burton s Surrealist Artwork from The MoMA Exhibit ( ). It Features work from Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas and more. (MoMA, 2017). German Expressionism Tim Burton s Work is heavily influenced by German Expressionism Cinema. German Expressionism, was one of the earliest artistic genres to influence filmmaking (Darsa, 2013). It was a movement that began in Germany in the 1920 s and can be defined as the rejection of Western conventions, and the depiction of reality that is widely distorted for emotional effect (Darsa, 2013). By the early 1920 s many European filmmakers had begun to experiment with aspects of German Cinema. Two of the most influential films to come from this period were Metropolis (1927) directed by Fritz Lang and Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920), by directed by Robert Wiene (Darsa, 2013). The Movement is often synonymous with dark, gothic sets and strange characters who will be influenced by their environment (Reed, 2012). This fits in with Tim Burton s themes that are commonly found in his work. Expressionism seems to be inspired by how the German society was feeling after the war and seems to focus on the emotions of disillusionment, distrust, and isolation (Darsa, 2013). Again, this is another theme found in Tim Burtons films that seems to have been inspired by the legacy of

usually feel misunderstood or they will be an outcast from society (Reed,

Modern Expressionism can be found in the animated films usually by Disney or

Expressionism can also be found in the work of Tex Avery which Tim Burton

7 German Expressionism. A good Example of this is that the protagonist in a Tim Burton film will usually feel misunderstood or they will be an outcast from society (Reed, 2012). Modern Expressionism can be found in the animated films usually by Disney or the Warner Bros. something that Burton grew up watching and creating. Expressionism can also be found in the work of Tex Avery which Tim Burton would have also been influenced by (Open Culture, 2015). In the Images Below Taken from a Video Essay Made by CinemaSemLei we can see how German Expressionism Influenced his films: ( (Dias, 2015).

Conclusion In my opinion Tim Burton is one of the most unique filmmakers of our time and he is truly an Auteur because there is no one else like him in the industry.

Tim Burton is an artist and you can really see this quirky artistic style shine through in his films. Tim Burton s Art is what makes him the Auteur and Filmmaker that we know and love.

8 Conclusion In my opinion Tim Burton is one of the most unique filmmakers of our time and he is truly an Auteur because there is no one else like him in the industry. Yes, he may be a Hollywood Director, but he is different in the way that he doesn t follow the conventions of Hollywood because he takes his inspiration from all things that are wacky yet wonderful. Tim Burton is an artist and you can really see this quirky artistic style shine through in his films. Tim Burton s Art is what makes him the Auteur and Filmmaker that we know and love. References Amazon UK, [Online] ahukewjyr-z7nvhxahwdicakhas9dbsqjhwibq&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.amazon.com%2fpee- Wees-Big-Adventure-Paul-Reubens%2Fdp%2FB000HF0IWI&psig=AOvVaw28- Klgaf0BI7lRYx1VgPj8&ust=1 [Accessed 4th December 2017]. Amazon UK, [Online]

9 ahukewid2rvqn_hxahxmdcakhasqbxuqjhwibq&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.amazon.com%2fdp% 2FB001EC2ISA&psig=AOvVaw1Pz9MBGHH14trbxyBU9K_x&ust= [Accessed 4th December 2017]. Andac, B., Great Directors - Tim Burton. [Online] Anon., [Online] [Accessed 6th December 2017]. Barnes and Noble, [Online] ahukewjwxed01fpxahvii8akhuwkdh0qjrwibw&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.barnesandnoble.com %2Fw%2Fdvd-sleepy-hollow-johnny-depp%2F &psig=AOvVaw0lf3FbKNwt7- JsVFRT2VPA&ust=151 Cambridge University Press, Meaning of legacy in the English Dictionary. [Online] [Accessed 6th December 2017]. Chan, C., Tricks That Famous Movie Directors Use as Their Trademarks. [Online] [Accessed 2017 December 2017]. Collins, Definition of 'juxtaposition'. [Online] Darsa, A., Art House: An Introduction to German Expressionist Films. [Online] Dias, R., Tim Burton: A German Expressionism Influence. [Online] DivaDaniela, Surrealist Cinema?. [Online] [Accessed 6th December 2017]. Enos, Z., From Pee-Wee To Alice: The Legacy Of Tim Burton. [Online] [Accessed 4th December 2017]. Fu, E., Disney unveils cast and release date for Tim Burton s live-action Dumbo movie. [Online]

10 tim-burtons-live-action-dumbo-movie/ Gallagher, D., Things You Didn't Know About Tim Burton. [Online] Grace, E., The Top 10 Style- Influencing Movies Of Tim Burton. [Online] Grover, C., Tim Burton - Auteur Theory. [Online] [Accessed December 2nd 2017]. Hathaway, A., Notes On Short Film. [Online] Hill, J., Monday Mouse Watch: MoMA s Tim Burton exhibition gets ready to go down under. [Online] icollector.com, [Online] Nightmare-Before-Christmas_i IMDB, [Online] ahukewiy- ZSP2fPXAhVgGsAKHdUrBRwQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt % 2F&psig=AOvVaw1wk41c_GrNtcvrC-rI3R75&ust= IMDB, Dark Shadows. [Online] IMDB, Frankeenweenie. [Online] IMDB, Johnny Depp and Tim Burton Films. [Online] IMDB, Tim Burton - Biography. [Online]

11 IMDB, Vincent. [Online] Itzkoff, D., Tim Burton, at Home in His Own Head. [Online] [Accessed 6th December 2017]. K.Wish, TIM BURTON: POP SURREALIST. [Online] Listal, [Online] ahukewixoegx2ppxahvijsakhz8dbb0qjrwibw&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.listal.com%2flist%2fhel ena-bonham-carter-tim&psig=aovvaw0qabn6uo0w6k7e-axwi2ap&ust= MoMA, Tim Burton. [Online] Open Culture, How German Expressionism Influenced Tim Burton: A Video Essay. [Online] Oxford University Press, Definition of surrealism in English. [Online] [Accessed 6th December 2017]. Pinterest, [Online] ahukewia9iah0_pxahvwf8akhqiccx0qjrwibw&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.pinterest.com%2fpin% 2F %2F&psig=AOvVaw1tPX_Uaof41ABoF2daBbb9&ust= Pringle, G., Tim Burton: how a strange childhood gave him a taste for the bizarre. [Online] Reed, P., The Influence of German Expressionism in Tim Burton Films and Art. [Online] Rotten Tomatoes, [Online] ahukewix- Km83fPXAhVrKsAKHQ91AxcQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rottentomatoes.com%2Fm%2Fcor

12 pse_bride%2f&psig=aovvaw3r7q1yhpaondtmicmhbxjo&ust= The Chicago School Of Media Theory, Auteur. [Online] TimeToast, Tim Burton's Films. [Online] Tributa.ca, [Online] ahukewijw4tug_jxahvfb8akhb5vbiwqjrwibw&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.tribute.ca%2fnews%2f photo-galleries%2ffavorite-fall-films%2fsleepy-hollow-1999%2f&psig=aovvaw22j0tu8sjrfhk [Accessed 6th December 2017]. UK, A., [Online] ahukewjjplcjpphxahwdimakhwe8dbyqjrwibw&url=http%3a%2f%2famzn.to%2f2vtob3s&psig= AOvVaw0XyXPV2ebKx2gPGIqLrTCQ&ust= WarnerBros., [Online] ahukewjy2rw52_pxahwkb8akhzk- CBgQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.warnerbros.com%2Fcharlie-and-chocolatefactory&psig=AOvVaw1ENdpqXGS0nI0xJpZxIE22&ust= Watchmojo.com, Top 10 Tim Burton Movies. [Online] Wikipedia, [Online] ahukewiigo_wn_hxahuecmakhembcrqqjrwibw&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki %2FBatman_(1989_film)&psig=AOvVaw3JD5TxQ3_OQYcPFbfzAplD&ust= [Accessed 4th December 2017]. WKMS.org, [Online] fpxahwiksakhsn7aceqjrwibw&url=http%3a%2f%2fwkms.org%2fpost%2fwkms-sci-fi-fridaymovie-night-mars-attacks&psig=aovvaw0zwxxs3fkf53jeav0qc3-h&ust=

ELA Level 4, Unit 2 Embedded Assessment 2: Writing a Style Analysis Essay. Exemplary: Style, In Burton s Eyes Style, In Burton s Eyes

ELA Level 4, Unit 2 Embedded Assessment 2: Writing a Style Analysis Essay Exemplary: Style, In Burton s Eyes Style, In Burton s Eyes Tim Burton has more opportunities as a director rather than an author