Edward Scissor Hands

EF Elisabeth Forsyth January 12, 2021

Edward Scissor Hands - FOW

Director: Tim Burton
Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Synopsis of the film:
Edward, a synthetic man with scissor hands, is taken in by Peg, a kindly Avon lady, after the passing of his inventor. Things take a turn for the worse when he is blamed for a crime he did not commit.

As you view films, consider how the cuts, camera angles, shots, and movement work to create meanings. Think about how they establish space, privilege certain characters, suggest relationships, and emphasize themes. In addition to short distances, angles, editing, and camera movement, note details of the narrative, setting, characters, lighting, props, costume, tone, and sound. Ask yourself the following questions:

Who is the protagonist?
Edward - he's an incomplete creation of his scientist maker, who lived in a big mansion located on a hill away from people downhill. He is left with scissors for hands as the name of the movie suggests.
Who is the antagonist?
Jim - he's Kim thuggish, violent and bullying jock 'boyfriend', who discriminated and scorned Edward for not being a real human.
What is the conflict?
When he was being introduced into the town, he struggles with flirting into the town and being accepted. He is shown as innocent and unknowing throughout the entire story. He becomes a hedge clipper then, a haircutter.

A modern-day fairy tale which tells the story of Edward, a 'man' created by an inventor who died before finishing him and left him with scissor hands where he should have hands. One day when the local Avon representative calls at the historic mansion where he has been living alone, she takes him home to stay with her family.
What is the theme? (summarise in 1 or 2 words)
Self-discovery and Isolation
How is the story told (linear, with a flashback, flash-forwards, at regular intervals)

Exposition: They clearly introduced, comprehensive description and background information of an idea, person or thing.

Rising Action: A series of events or actions that lead to the climax, usually escalating the problem.
- Edward is being framed for burgerly by Jim
- This makes the town people around no longer trust him
- This makes the town people aggravated

Climax: The highest emotional point of a scene story/plot. Usually the scene with the most action.
- Edward fights Jim
- Kim then helps Edward
- Edward ends up stabbing Jim which leads him to die

Falling Action: A series of events that lead to the resolution following the climax.
- Edward and Kim see the mob coming
- Kim tells Edward that she loves him
- She runs downstairs, leaving Edward at the top of the castle
How do camera angles and camera movements shape our view of characters or spaces? What do you see cinematically?
The film format reflects the genre as a film noir. A 35mm and 70mm format is used in Edward Scissorhands as the film is shot in colour in order to convey the varying tones and shades in the film, which then help with lighting and creates a specific feeling of atmosphere. Camera Techniques is a broad element that details all angles, movements, lens and shot types a camera can attribute to.
How are the characters costumed and made-up? What does their clothing or make-up reveal about their social standing, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age? How do costume and makeup convey character?

The use of costumes is used to generate feeling and emotions in the audience. There's a huge difference in what Edwards and normal people wear. The use of costumes that are used in this movie wants to tell the audience into thinking about what kind of characters the people will turn out to be. Which they want us to judge at their looks first. Which at the end the message clearly states out to Do Not Judge A Book By Its Cover.

Typically in 1950s people dresses in very bright colourful clothes, and are looked very prim and proper. Most casually wears work clothes (men) and women dress appropriately. The colour seems to show that people are much more normal. The use of makeup on the women is very bold which also where the character Diane sells make-up products. The industry she's involved in represents a very materialistic world and perhaps a fickle society. The houses are also very bright and false looking, almost like dollhouses.

In the other hand Edward, in contrast, is very dark and wears dreary clothes. The make-up on him makes his skin looks pale, very close to what a ghost looks like. He is very gaunt-looking and gives the appearance of skulls. He wears all black which makes him look gothic and hives the audience his an 'evil' person. Edward himself is very scary and sinister, which makes the audience wary of him.