Edward Scissor Hands

Edward scissorhands

Tim burton, the director of the film Edward scissorhands uses many techniques of the opening titles and scenes of his film to engage and draw in the audience. Burton has used film techniques and filmic codes such as camera movements, editing, non-diegetic music and technical, symbolic, audio and written codes to engage the viewers into his narrative Edward scissorhands.

The opening scenes of the film Edward scissorhands starts with the title in white bold text over the backround of some unusual machinery, then all of the credits are shown coming from all directions and rotating from all corners with machinery and different unique objects behind the writing. This opening scene gives the audience an impression that the film is magical and mysterious leaving them curious on the conclusion of the film.  

Within the first 10 minutes of burtons film we see the use of colors and lighting used to symbolize different ideas about the small neighborhood and the castle that is situated on the edge of the town for example when burton shows an overview of the small neighborhood in bright pastel colours he symbolizes a very welcoming, happy town. Burton then uses camera movements to pan around the neighborhood, displaying kids playing in the sun conveying the idea of happiness and joy throughout the neighborhood. Burton then cuts the film to reveal a dark gloomy castle on the edge of the town on a hill very distant from the rest of the neighborhood. The use of editing and camera movements so early in the film juxtaposes the colourful neighbourhood and the dark gloomy castle which leaves the audience in suspense as they question what’s inside.

Burton has used non-diegetic music to draw in and mix around with the audiences emotions to keep them intrigued and engaged in his film Edward scissorhands. As the Avon lady peg gets into her car she looks into her mirror and sees the dark gloomy castle in the reflection. This reflection is shown against the colourful, happy neighbourhood showing the contrast between the two different worlds. As peg gets close to the castle burton uses airy and mysterious and almost mystical non-diegetic music that goes with its mysterious and dark look of the castle conveying the womens mystery.  As the women drives up the hill to the castle the colours dim down becoming darker leaving the audience anxious into what and who they will find in the castle. As peg opens the gates to the castle she sees a garden with bazare shapes and colourful bright colours. The non-diegetic music then changes to fairytale, happy music creating confusion for the audience almost aromatically changing the mood from anxiety to confusion. The audience is left in suspense as they await to see who lives in the sinister house on top of the hill.