Not only does Tim Burton use lighting to achieve a desired effect on the
audience’s feelings, he also uses music and sound to mold the mood of the films. For
example, Burton uses non-diegetic music in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to
emphasize the feelings of the children when they are let loose in the edible room. By
using the music to explain the children’s thoughts and emotions, Burton allows the
audience to gain a deeper understanding of the characters, and feel as though they are
in the movie, not just watching it. This also allows the audience to experience the candy
room through each of the children’s perspective, which creates a deeper connection
between the character and the audience. Burton also uses non-diegetic music
in Corpse Bride to again allow the audience into the character’s head. When Victor is
running form the bride, Burton controls and changes the mood of the movie by using
music when we first see the bride. As Victor rehearses his vows, there is a proud,
almost triumphant feeling conveyed with sounding music, which allows the audience to
understand how excited he is to have finally gotten them right. However, when Victor
places the ring, unknowingly, on the bride’s figure the music changes to an ominous
and frantic soundtrack, which made the mood of the audience go from happy for Victor,
to scared for him as he runs from the bride. By changing the music and twisting the
mood, burton allows the audience to know that Victor’s mood has changed as well. In
addition to allowing the audience to gain a better understanding of the characters,
Burton uses non-diegetic sound to foreshadow the events that are about to take place.
A good example of this is in
Edward Scissorhands. Near the end of the movie, Kevin is
walking home from a friend’s house down the street, a seemingly average task.
However, the ominous, non-diegetic music foreshadows the events that are about to
take place are anything but average. When the audience sees the van speeding toward
Kevin, one realizes that he is in danger, which was foreshadowed by the creepy music.
By using this technique, Burton can create suspense in his films which would make the
audience want to find out what will happen and therefore keep watching.
Finally, director Tim burton uses framing and angles to again manipulate and
change the mood of the film. A prime example of this is in Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory. As Charlie stands outside of the factory, staring up at it, Burton uses a mixture
of high and low angle to make Charlie seem small and the factory seem big. By using a