Tim Burton

Tim Burton standing at the entrance of the LACMA. (http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/tim-burton-w ())

Imagine the weird antisocial kid in your class growing up to be an Oscar winning, history changing, notable figure.  Well, that's exactly what happened to Timothy Walter Burton.  As a kid he was a abnormal little boy who was obsessed with horror films and spooky pranks.  Born on August 25th, 1958 Burton grew up in a town called Burbank, "Burbank is a suburban town where many movie and television studios can be found.  Tim was a very contemplative boy and very quiet, yet he did have a passion for movies" ("Tim Burton Biography"). Transforming from nobody to a worldwide producer that inspires many. Some of his most famous, award winning films are; The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, and Frankenweenie. "In 2008 he was honoured with the Scream Immortal Award, for his unique interpretation of horror and fantasy"(Pringle).  An inspiration is the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative, as defined by google definitions.  A hero must possess inspiration, generosity, and creativeness, all of which perfectly describe Tim Burton. Burton is an inspiration because not only did he impact the way people saw abstract movies, while changing the history of movie-making styles,  but also by inspiring people to be unique as well as to be themselves.  His persistence and hospitality in attempts to get better from depression helps many individuals, and encourages people to donate to foundations.

Tim Burton created a whole new genre of films by taking regular movies and putting his own unique twists on them, by doing this he influenced many young people's views on how they see themselves. He showed that its okay to stand out and be their unique selves. "The unique style he has created of horror and comedy is considered an art. Through his weird, creepy monsters it paints an interesting story that's entertaining and fun to watch"(Burton). His different view on movies creates an artistic point of view. The hard work of stop motion gives the final product much more creativity and detail. His style is out of the ordinary, which paints an entertaining set. Influencing many different artists styles, Burton adds a little darkness to their view. In Tim Burton's book he unfolds, "It goes back to childhood: I just remember that feeling that what people call 'normal' is not normal and what people call 'abnormal' is abnormal. And that's why I always responded to characters and monsters, and cultures... I always felt there was more life there" (Burton). Reaching out to many teens and children, Burton informs them how  they shouldn't listen to society's standards and continue doing things they find passion in. By sharing his advice, Tim Burton's words can impact how people see themselves in a more confident and accepting way. In an interview for the New York Times, Burton expresses:

I felt like an outcast. At the same time I felt quite normal. I think a lot of kids feel alone and slightly isolated and in their own world. I don't believe the feelings I had were unique. You can sit in a classroom and feel like no one understands you, and you're Vincent Price in "House of Usher." I would imagine, if you talk to every single kid, most of them probably felt similarly. (Itzkoff)

He showed how you don't have to be normal, that sometimes it's better to be different because that makes you more creative in your own way. Tim Burton is saying how being unique and different from everyone else means you're more of a creative person.

Burton attending a ceremony with his characters. (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/celebrity ())

While overcoming troubles, such as depression and isolation, Burton managed to come up with unique ways to deal with his issues, by showing persistence he helps people use creative ways to get through. In his autobiography Burton states, "I don't know why but I always related to characters like Frankenstein. I think a lot of kids do; it's easier to relate to the monster in the sense of he's alone. Growing up, you could feel those feelings and the way you felt about your neighbors is like they're the angry villagers" (Pringle). Tim Burton shows how you can overcome boring and sad situations with creativity. He grew up locked in his room, which led him to having expanded creativity, he influences kids to overcome certain situations with imagination. By creating characters with his boredom and sadness, he uses art as a getaway from reality.  Burton shows how if you put your mind to it, any dull thing can become fun with a little of imagination and creativity: "But I felt very tortured as a teenager. That's where "Edward Scissorhands" came from. I was probably clinically depressed and didn't know it" (Itzkoff). Living a depressing childhood, Burton shows how you can draw out your feelings, and with of those drawings you can inspire others. He proves how drawing out emotions can become meaningful to you and others who feel the same. His persistence with art helps people find a method to deal with depressing and anxious thoughts. By being inspired himself, Burton tends to spread encouragement: " When I started to go to CalArts, and a couple of teachers said: 'Don't worry about it. If you like to draw, just draw.' And that just liberated me" (Itzkoff). Getting influenced by other figures, Burton tries to influence artist by saying that you should never give up on your passion. In other words, do what brings joy to you. He tries to get people to not care too much about other people's opinions, just be yourself and that's all that matters. Tim Burton wants to help those who struggle to pursue their dreams, and be themselves just because they are scared of being judged. Giving his own personal experiences,such as his past memories,  he tries to reach out to people with his words of encouragement, showing people how it's okay to be themselves, and provides ways to overcome certain situations.

Burton and his sketches from the movie "Big Eyes" (http://www.vulture.com/2014/12/photos-tim-burton-o ())

His generosity of donating to foundations, encouraged many people to participate in a fun event while raising awareness to the foundation. Out of generosity Burton created a fundraiser to spread awareness,"Diabetes UK's new mass-participation event, Dress Diabolical, calling on people to dress up for Halloween on Friday 30 October, to raise vital funds for the charity" (Gallo). Burton's heroic idea raised so much awareness to something not much people paid attention too. By creating this event Tim Burton became a hero to many thankful families who suffered with someone in their family having diabetes. According to "The Body" research program it states, "Almost everyone knows someone who has diabetes. An estimated 23.6 million people in the United States -- 7.8 percent of the population -- have diabetes, a serious, lifelong condition"(The Body). By spreading awareness to the foundation Tim Burton has helped inform many people about Diabetes.  

Whether you're a lone werewolf or an assembled pack of superheroes, Dress Diabolical is the perfect way to have fun while fundraising. All the money you raise will help us to care for, connect, and campaign alongside even more of the 3.9 million people currently living with diabetes and as we continue our work to prevent and, one day, cure the condition. (Gallo)

This encouraged many people to donate, in a fun way. A hero does something out of kindness and generosity, not because it benefits them. Tim Burton's generosity helped spread awareness about Diabetes, which helped the National Diabetes Foundation raise money for research.

A scene from the movie "Corpse Bride". (https://moviepilot.com/posts/2840362 ())

Tim Burton's generosity and persistence of getting through depression, makes him a true hero. He completely changed how people saw horror and introduced the new concept of stop motion animation. By being his unique self, Burton managed to become an award winning film-maker. Trying to influence people's thoughts on what is considered 'normal' has helped many children and teens change how people saw abstract. Doing this, he has influenced many into wearing styles that aren't seen as 'ordinary', and made them often relate to some of his unique characters. "I define this as a person existing quite outside the bounds of the conventional notion of normality, usually (but not exclusively, as I include Burton's Ed Wood in this) because of some extreme physical peculiarity. Every one of the films, without exception, is built around at least one freak" (Pringle). He inspires people to be themselves, and motivates them to be a little weird and creepy, while making people feel accepted. With his unique art style, it has inspired many painters and artist to adapt to a more 'creepier' artstyle. Tim Burton is such a huge inspiration to me and many others. With his creative works and kind words, he has managed to create such an influential art style. My whole life I was trying to find an art style or a technique. After rewatching some of Tim Burton's movies that I adored as a child, I fell in love with the unique, creepy, and creative style. An additional way he is an inspirational to me, is how his movies can bring families together. I remember sitting with my family, cuddled up next to each other, watching his old movies. After some rough turns in my life, his movies always brought comfort to me. Adapting his art style has made me inspired to pursue my career as an artist. Whenever I watch one of his movies, I always end up with my sketchbook in my hands doodling my own monsters. Even though being a little creepy and crazy, Tim Burton will forever be known as a generous genius who inspired and encouraged many.

Works Cited

"Tim Burton Biography." Biography, A&E Television Networks, October  

26 2016, http://www.biography.com/people/tim-burton-9542431

Burton, Tim. "Childhood in Burbank." Burton on Burton, edited by Mark Salisbury and

foreword By Johnny Depp, Faber and Faber,2006, pp 1-3.

Gallo, Leah. "Tim Burton calls on people to Dress Diabolical this Halloween to raise funds for                                                              

Diabetes UK." Diabetes UK, no. 215199, CO, 21 September 2015,    

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/News/Tim-Burton-calls-on-people-to-Dress-Diabolical-this-Halloween/.

Itzkoff, Dave. Tim Burton, at Home in His Own Head. New York Times, Sept. 19 2012          

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/movies/tim-burton-at-home-in-his-own-head.html

Pringle, Gale. Tim Burton: how a strange childhood gave him a taste for the bizarre. Belfast

Telegraph, BT CO, October 6 2012, http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/tim-burton-how-a-strange-childhood-gave-him-a-taste-for-the-bizarre-28870904.html

The Body. "Diabetes Overview." The Body.com, U.S. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, 2017,

http://www.thebody.com/content/art51694.html