Realms of the Burtonesque: Tim Burton's Unique Style and Gothic Influences in Sleepy Hollow

Abstract

My thesis explores the core features of Tim Burton's cinematic style. In details I am going to introduce the influences that had an impact on his works, these influences are the Gothic genre, Surrealism and German Expressionism. First, I am going to give a basic introduction to the Gothic genre, because it has the most tengible influences on his art and films. Moreover, I am going to analyze these aspects in one of his films, Sleepy Hollow from 1999. Burton utilizes the impacts in many ways: in the form of creating the mise-en-scéne, the character portraying, and color symbolism, as well.