Tim Burton

Tim Burton (Timothy William Burton) was born on August 25, 1958 in Burbank, California. He was not a very good student; instead, he liked painting, drawing, and watching monster movies. He was a fan of actor Vincent Price.

In 1976, Burton attended the California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), and after his graduation, he was hired at Walt Disney Productions' animation studio, to work on The Fox and the Hound (1981).

In 1982, Burton made his first animated short, Vincent, based on a poem written by himself about a young boy who fantasizes that he is his hero, Vincent Price.

In 1984, he created his first major live-action short, Frankenweenie. The actor that embodies the character Pee-Wee Herman saw this movie and decided that Tim Burton was the chosen one to direct the full-length film, called Pee-Wee’s Big adventure (1985); the film was an instant success.

After three years of not doing any films, he was offered the script for Beetlejuice. This film was the perfect fit for his vision, and it was an even bigger hit. Because of this, Warner Bros. offered him to direct Batman.

Batman (1989) created a new model for superhero adaptations that is still seen today in many movies such as superman and spider-man. It is consider a blockbuster film because of the merchandizing that it generated, although Tim Burton was able to put his own stamp. The movie is Burton’s biggest box-office hit to date and one of the most influential Hollywood movies of the last few decades.

The success of the film helped establish Burton as a major director and also he was given the opportunity to make any kind of film he wanted. This film was Edward Scissorhands (1990); he had full control over the film, both regarding writing and producing. It marked the beginning of Burton being taken seriously as an artist.

Many important movies followed, such as: Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow, Planet of the Apes, big Fish, Corpse Bride and Sweeny Todd.

Burton is mainly known for his innovative live action features, although he has had a strong influence on the world of animation. That is why last year (2009) he received the Winsor McCay Award, given by the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood. This award is one of the highest honors given to a person in the animation industry in acknowledgment for the contributions to the art of animation.

Director filmography

· Vincent (1982)

· Frankenweenie (1984)

· Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

· Beetlejuice (1988)

· Batman (1989)

· Edward Scissorhands (1990)

· Batman Returns (1992)

· Ed Wood (1994)

· Mars Attacks! (1996)

· Sleepy Hollow (1999)

· Planet of the Apes (2001)

· Big Fish (2003)

· Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

· Corpse Bride (2005)

· Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) - Golden Globe Award for Best Director

· Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Producer filmography

· Edward Scissorhands (1990)

· Batman Returns (1992)

· The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

· Cabin Boy (1994)

· Ed Wood (1994)

· Batman Forever (1995)

· James and the Giant Peach (1996)

· Mars Attacks! (1996)

· Corpse Bride (2005)

· 9 (2009)

· Frankenweenie (2011)

· Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

Animator filmography

· Stalk of the Celery (1979)

· The Fox and the Hound (1981)

· Luau (1982)

· Tron (1982)

· Family Dog (1987) (animation designer, executive producer)

· Amazing Stories (1987) (episode 1)

Cameos and other film work

· Singles (1992)

· Hoffa (1992)

· The Nightmare Before Christmas (deleted scene)

Art filmography

· Frankenweenie (1984)

· The Black Cauldron (1985)

Internet shorts

· The World of Stainboy (2000)