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One notable stylistic theme in Burton’s films is the unique use of mise-en-scene. Burton uses distinct colour contrasts in his films, and this is certainly evident in these three films. In Edward Scissorhands, Burton portrayed Edward’s mansion by using low-key lighting and grayscale colours, yet the suburban town was depicted in vibrant pastels. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Burton portrayed Charlie Bucket’s house in similar grayscale colours, yet the Wonka factory was filled with bright and imaginative colours. Sleepy Hollow also shared this unique colour contrast: much of the film was depicted in low-key lighting and grey colours, whereas Ichabod’s dreams of his parents were often richly coloured with impressive visual effects.Even the costumes reflected the same goth-styled themes. Tim Burton likes to use black and white contrasts in many of his costumes. Edward Scissorhand’s main outfit was a black jumpsuit that contrasted with his pale face.  In Sleepy Hollow, Katrina, portrayed by Christina Ricci, wore Burton’s trademark black and white stripes in a dress in the final scene. In addition, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory also reflected this unique pattern in the Oompa Loompa’s socks and sleeves, as well as Wonka’s cane topper.

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One notable stylistic theme in Burton’s films is the unique use of mise-en-scene. Burton uses distinct colour contrasts in his films, and this is certainly evident in these three films. In Edward Scissorhands, Burton portrayed Edward’s mansion by using low-key lighting and grayscale colours, yet the suburban town was depicted in vibrant pastels. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Burton portrayed Charlie Bucket’s house in similar grayscale colours, yet the Wonka factory was filled with bright and imaginative colours. Sleepy Hollow also shared this unique colour contrast: much of the film was depicted in low-key lighting and grey colours, whereas Ichabod’s dreams of his parents were often richly coloured with impressive visual effects.Even the costumes reflected the same goth-styled themes. Tim Burton likes to use black and white contrasts in many of his costumes. Edward Scissorhand’s main outfit was a black jumpsuit that contrasted with his pale face.  In Sleepy Hollow, Katrina, portrayed by Christina Ricci, wore Burton’s trademark black and white stripes in a dress in the final scene. In addition, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory also reflected this unique pattern in the Oompa Loompa’s socks and sleeves, as well as Wonka’s cane topper.

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Due to his love for the unconventional, his films fit quite comfortably in the fantasy genre. They incorporate characters that one would not usually find, in situations that would never occur in the real world. For example, you would not find a ghost who wants to marry a human in real life. Nor would you come across a resurrected dog or someone who is able to chop hedges with his Scissorhands.

His films are characteristically quirky; they explore concepts that could never exist in the real world. Since his films are so typically ‘fantasy’, audiences come to expect quirky, unusual stories when a film is associated with him. However, even though they feature things that do not really exist, the films are centred around themes that are very human and relatable.

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Tim Burton is an incredibly talented director, writer, artist, and animator. His unique artistic ability has enabled him to influence unforgettable films such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Batman, and more. In fact, because his artistic influence is so powerful, Burton is often cited as a proof for the existence of the auteur principle, which suggests that one person is the driving force behind the style, treatment, and content of the film. Although some critics may deny the auteur theory, Burton’s overpowering use of recurrent stylistic themes in the mise-en-scene elements, character quirks, and cinematography clearly add credibility to auteur theory.

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Tim Burton spent the majority of his childhood as an outsider. He grew up in suburbia (Burbank, California) and because he wasn’t like everyone else, he was often misunderstood. His childhood experiences living in the suburbs left him with the belief that society tries to stifle anything that makes people individual. His anti-society views started early on.

Burton spent a lot of his time as a child watching horror films (especially monster movies) and drawing. He enjoyed watching films with monsters who were misunderstood by those around them. The films that moved him were mainly stop-motion animations and films that reflected German Expressionism. Before he started directing his own films, he enjoyed the conceptual work he was able to do for Disney studios.

He was very introspective, looking at things in a symbolic and very poetic way. While he was not an avid reader, he did identify with the work of Edgar Allan Poe, Dr Seuss and Roald Dahl for its imagery and symbolism.

His experiences as a child helped give him a distinct point of view that now shapes his films in adult life. It’s these beliefs that give his work their own distinct style.

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These costume schemes worked well with Burton’s frequent use of religious, occult, and/or gothic themes. In fact, the use of such themes is almost a trademark of Burton films. In Sleepy Hollow, the entire plot circulated around the occult and witchcraft, especially since it was the method used to summon the Headless Horseman. In Edward Scissorhands, Esmeralda was a character portrayed as overly religious, and this was emphasized by showing her religious decorations in her house, as well as her accusations of Edward’s arrival as having something to do with Satan. And while Charlie and the Chocolate Factory didn’t address religion directly, Burton’s gothic black and white stripes appeared in many of the wardrobe elements.

Besides the recurrent costume and religious/occult themes, Burton’s films also feature themes of wealth vs. poverty. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Veruca Salt was a spoiled brat who had the blessings of wealth, but Charlie Bucket’s humble family lived in extreme poverty. In Sleepy Hollow, Van Tassel was a wealthy farmer, and this wealth served as an important part of the plot. Likewise, in Edward Scissorhands, Edward lived in a mansion, while the people below lived in the suburbs. These differences in classes or status often appear in Burton’s films.

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Films made by Tim Burton are easily identifiable. They incorporate his beliefs and values. They feature actors and crew members that are frequently a part of his team. Furthermore, the stories are told from his perceptive, both in terms of themes and the style (mise-en-shot).