Analysis of Mise-en-Scene Analysis of Mise-en-Scene in Edward Scissorhandsin Edward Scissorhands

Kieron Barrett & Joanne Kieron Barrett & Joanne LambertiLamberti

Introduction – Why Edward Introduction – Why Edward Scissorhands?Scissorhands?

It follows a classic narrative structure It follows a classic narrative structure and is therefore easy to understand and is therefore easy to understand as a ‘mainstream’ viewer (decoder).as a ‘mainstream’ viewer (decoder).

There is obvious use of conventional There is obvious use of conventional codes and a ‘signature’ twist codes and a ‘signature’ twist (common in Tim Burtons films) which (common in Tim Burtons films) which allows us to apply the term ‘auteur’allows us to apply the term ‘auteur’

Plan of Action! Plan of Action!

Aspects AnalysedAspects Analysed

Analysis Scene 1Analysis Scene 1

Common theories/debates Common theories/debates appliedapplied

Analysis Scene 2Analysis Scene 2

Aspects AnalysedAspects Analysed

Camera anglesCamera anglesPropsPropsLightingLightingMoodMoodVerisimilitudeVerisimilitudeCharactersCharacters

Theories/Concepts Applied Theories/Concepts Applied Throughout:Throughout:

Binary Oppositions – Levi StraussBinary Oppositions – Levi StraussSignifier/signified - SaussureSignifier/signified - SaussureDenotation/connotation/myth - Denotation/connotation/myth -

BarthesBarthes‘‘Otherness’ – BahktinOtherness’ – BahktinGerman Expressionism (chiaroscuro German Expressionism (chiaroscuro

lighting, abstract shapes etc…)lighting, abstract shapes etc…)‘‘Auteur’ debateAuteur’ debate

Just some examples of other VERY similar Burton characters…

Tim Burton describes Vincent Price as an inspiration in many

ways in his book ‘Burton on Burton’.

For this reason, it could be argued that the cogs

in the background are symbolic in the way of

thought process

For example!

•That Vincent Price influenced Tim Burtons ideas

OR EVEN!

•Vincent Price’s character contemplating breathing life into a machine