The+Demon+Barber+of+Fleet+Street

1. T**hematic**, and **stylistic** motifs -In four of the previous films: Tim Burton's common main theme that is illustrated in "Edward Scissorhands", "Beetlejuice", "Big Fish", "Vincent", and "The Nightmare before Christmas" is the idea of acceptance from the society, conformity, understanding, and as well as the idea of appearances vs reality where it conveys the motif of "you can't judge a book by its cover". Tim Burton uses distinctive color distribution, lighting, gothic settings and styles, and music to help illustrate the theme and motifs. For example, in all four of his films listed above, the main character usually has a unique look or personality compared to other characters in the film. In "Edward Scissorhands, Edward was styled with dark make up and gothic clothing style. As well as for "Vincent", the setting was filled with gothic elements. One of the most obvious examples is "The Nightmare before Christmas", where not only the characters are styled with gothic elements, but the whole setting is followed by gothic elements. Colors and lighting are also used to show the difference between the main character and the normal society, to emphasize the point of the main character being an outcast of the society. Color is used by Tim Burton to distinguish the protagonist and the antagonist, or the main outcast character and the normal people within the society. Later on the lighting also changes. When other characters and the society accept the main character, the lighting becomes softer. Through these stylistic elements, Tim Burton is able to clearly convey his thematic motifs to the audience.

-In **Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street:** In “Sweeney Todd”, it is very obvious that Tim Burton also uses mis-en-scene to illustrate the common theme of acceptance from the society, conformity, understanding, and the idea of appearances vs reality. Sweeney Todd’s make up and style changes throughout the film with his state of mind. When Sweeney was a naïve and nice barber before the judge framed him, his clothing style and make up is normal and more close to common people. However, when he learned his lesson and came back for revenge his clothing style and make up became more dark and gothic. The use of color also helps convey the theme. Before Sweeney was framed, the clothing he wore was bright red. But when he is back from jail, his clothing became dark. This also applies to Sweeney’s wife. Furthermore, this not only applies to people but applies to everything in London. The shops and scenery are more gray and dark rather than colorful and bright as before. The lighting also changes as well. Before, in Sweeney’s flashback of him and his wife, it is clear that the lighting is soft and diffused. There was even obvious edge light on the characters, making the scene look rather holy and magical. However, when Sweeney is back for revenge, the lighting on him and other characters are rather dark. The characters are lit with side lighting rather than edge lighting. Also shadows are constantly casted on the characters as well. All these director choices emphasizes the difference between the happy, pure, innocent state that the characters were in with the sad, pathetic, dark state the characters became when Sweeney was back for revenge. This film is slightly different, instead of showing the acceptance of the character, the plot leads to a tragedy ending that was caused by the misunderstanding of the society to contrast with the theme of acceptance and understanding from society. Also for the theme of appearances vs reality, it is rather illustrated by the main character’s wife and Ms Lovett rather than the main character this time, which is rather interesting. Therefore, through Tim Burton’s choices of mis-en-scene, it illustrated the themes that fit his body of work.

2. Iconic director's choices Color Contrast: The use of bright and delight colors of the town’s people’s clothing style, make up, and architecture style to contrast with the dark and gothic style of Edward. This emphasizes the differences between Edward and the society. Mis-en-Scene (Make up): Once again Tim Burton gives the main character Edward a pale white make up accompanied by dark and black eyeshades as well as other make up. This emphasizes the main character as being an outcast of the society. Later on Edward’s clothing style changes a bit because he is trying to conform within the society. However, when he wasn’t accepted, his clothing style and make up returned to the state before he had met the town’s people.
 * Edward Scissorhands **

Flashback: Throughout the film there was a lot of intercutting of the character’s flashback. This did not disrupt the flow of the film, however it helped build suspense and a nostalgic tone.

Mis-en-Scene (Make up): Especially for Lydia, her gothic clothing style and make up changes when the ghost couple accepts her. This shows the process and result of acceptance from others.
 * Beetlejuice **

Color Contrast: The color contrast once again is used to distinguish between the outcasts and the society.

Flashbacks: The film is actually carried out by Edward Bloom’s flashbacks. It helps the flow of the story and shows a rather parallel structure between the reality and the past. It also helps build suspend and a rather comical tone.
 * Big Fish **

Lighting: The lighting for scenes where Edward is pursuing Sandra are lit with a rather soft light and as well as edge light. This shows the happy, pure, innocent state of mind the characters are in. It also creates a holy and magical tone for the scene.

Mis-en-Scene (Style): The clothing style and the setting change back and forth when the main character changes. When the normal Vincent is presented the setting and style of Vincent is rather normal. However, when Vincent Prince is presented, the setting and the style become more dark and gothic. This creates a contrast between the outcast and the society.
 * Vincent **

Mis-en-Scene (Style): The style contrast is rather obvious. The style of the Halloween town is dark and gothic, while the style of Christmas town is rather colorful and joyful.
 * The Nightmare before Christmas **

Color Contrast: The bright and colorful colors belong to the Christmas town, and the dark color belongs to the Halloween town. More bright and colorful colors are incorporated in the Halloween town when they try to accept the styles of Christmas town.

Cinematography/Editing: There was a scene where Sweeney is walking to Ms Lovett’s pie shop where the cinematography suddenly speeds up. It uses first person viewpoint to move around the setting. It makes the audience feel like they are flying through the streets of London. Although this was achieved with the help of editing. I think this choice is unique because I’ve also seen it in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” when Willy Wonka shows Charlie around in a elevator that moves really fast. The technique caught my eye and gave me a realistic feeling as if the audience were able to feel the speed and paste of the film.
 * Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street **

Mis-en-Scene (Style): The change of Sweeney’s state of mind is followed by the style change of Sweeny. His make up and clothing style changes greatly comparing with the times when he was living happily with his wife and the time when he came back to London to seek revenge.

Lighting: The lighting changes as well when Sweeney’s state of mind changes. The lighting before when Sweeney was happy, it was rather soft and lit with edge light. However, when Sweeney is back to London seeking for revenge, the lighting becomes rather dark and is lit with side lighting to emphasize the change of Sweeney’s state of mind.