Product Description

A revised edition of the only book to explore the unique brilliance of director Tim Burton's work, including a new chapter on the making of Sleepy Hollow.

Still only in his thirties, Tim Burton has established himself in the past fifteen years as one of the great visionaries of film. With the Batman films, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, and, most recently, Sleepy Hollow, he has continually broken new ground both visually and thematically, exploring the dark anguish--as well as the dark humor--that animates many of his characters while also creating a densely textured, sometimes bizarre look specific to each film.

In Burton on Burton, Burton talks to Mark Salisbury about his training as an animator at Disney, the importance of design in his films, and the recurring themes present in his work. In this revised edition, he also discusses the influence of 1950s sci-fi and 1970s disaster films on Mars Attacks! as well as how he conceived his highly stylized approach to the content and setting of Sleepy Hollow, his acclaimed retelling of the Washington Irving story that stars Johnny Depp, perhaps the actor most identified with Burton's work. Enhanced by stills from the films, storyboards, and illustrations of set designs for all his major films, Burton on Burton provides insights and information about the man and his work, throwing light on both his unique artistic vision and on the extraordinary films that have been the result.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #926267 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780571205073
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"[Burton] is, to me, a true genius and I wouldn't use that word with too many people, believe me. You can't label what he does. It's not magic, because that would imply some sort of trickery. It's not just skill, because that seems like it's learned. What he has is a very special gift that we don't see every day. It's not enough to call him a filmmaker. The rare title of 'genius' is a better fit . . . in not just film but drawings, photographs, thought, insight, and ideas . . . I have never seen someone so obviously out of place fit right in."--Johnny Depp, from the Foreword
-- Review

Review

About the Author
Mark Salisbury is a contributing writer for Premiere maagzine. Among his other books are Behind the Mask: The Secrets of Hollywood's Monster Makers

Customer Reviews

Like its subject... dark, involved, and challenging
If you've seen Tim Burton in a broadcast interview, chances are that you know that he is not the most fluid of speakers, and for this reason I approached this extended interview with trepidation. However, beneath the sombre dust-jacket is an energetic and lively human being, who infuses the most simplistic life experiences with an infectious enthusiasm which makes this book an absolute joy.

The prose simply sparkles with intelligence, and probably just scratches the surface of his brilliance. Burton impresses with his underlying sense of artistic integrity, but amazes with his heartfelt discussions about art and character. He wants you to share the sense of fun that these experiences have given him, and speaks passionately on many aspects of life. Here is someone not afraid to relate the most pedantic details if he considers them to have impacted his vision, and this is where the book excels most. In many ways, the talk about his actual films is comparatively mundane when compared to recollections of the experiences that shaped them.

Topped off with a selection of Burton's distinctive artwork, this is a fine addition to the library of any movie fan, and it will leave you in awe of one of a cinematic talent that defies categorisation. In the foreword, Johnny Depp calls Burton a genius, and having read the man's take on the world, I think that it's a label I wouldn't argue with. This book is an exemplary example of the interview form, and proof that the best medium for preserving discussion will always be the written page.

More like Burton on Burton's movies
When I first got my hands on Burton on Burton, I couldn't put it down. Tim Burton is a genius who has the ability to get under your skin, especially in movies like Edward Scissorhands. However, I would have enjoyed it more if it were more in-depth on the man himself, rather than his feelings on the movies he's created.

It's still a very interesting read, with amusing anecdotes (such as his description of working with Danny Elfman for the first time) scattered about. His sporratic descriptions scratch the surface of his personal life (for example, he discusses how Lisa Marie found their dog, Poppy) reflect his personality well.

It would be interesting to see another revised edition, covering from Apes onward.

Into the Mind of Hollywood's Most Original Director
I bought this book wanting to know a bit more about one of my favorite directors, and I got much more in return. Burton writes about his life as a child growing up in Burbank, California, from his time at CalArts in Valencia, his stay at Disney, and the launching of his own directorial stardum. The forward, which is written by Johnny Depp, tells of their first acquaintance, and almost instantaneous partnership.
Burton really does go through much detail of his life, both in career and personal aspects, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Certainly a must for Burton fans, but also for anyone interested in knowing more about the creative genius behind such unforgettable masterpieces.