Stylistic Techniques In Batman Returns Film Studies Essay

Stylistic Techniques In Batman Returns Film Studies EssayTim Burton is known for his obscure and unconventional methods of film-making. His stylistic techniques, influenced by German Expressionism, are very unique. For this reason I have chosen to look at a short clip from Tim Burtons Batman Returns. Batman Returns was produced in 1991 and released in 1992.When Selina Kyle, the receptionist of max Shreck, discovers some crooked business plans, she is thrown from the top of a building by her corrupt boss, provoking her transformation into the mysterious and mischievous character of throw awaywoman. The impression in which this happens is very significant to the overall narrative of the film and to the development of the character of Selina Kyle.As Selina lies in the snow after being thrown from a building, there is a c honest-to-god and harsh atmosphere as many cats surround her and nibble on her hands. The bright red colour of her blood that Burton gives is a contrast to the colo ur of the rest of the scene, such as the grey buildings and white snow. It stands out very noticeably and is therefore much striking to the audience, creating an even great sense of unease. As Selina enters her apartment it is clear to the audience that she is not in a sound commonwealth of mind. Selina starts to knock things over violently in her interior(a) and she starts to shred away any evidence of the woman she used to be. There is a clear sense of irony in terms of the mise-en-scne in this scene. All of the walls in her apartment are painted pink. This gives off a sense of girlishness and innocence. These are characteristics of Selinas that will no longer be relevant to her personality. The marvelous walls and numerous stuffed toys are effective visual devices used by Tim Burton as a method of narrative. This particular use of mise-en-scne al sufferings the audience to see Selinas old personality and her naivety before it is all stripped away. The fact that Tim Burton ch ose to create a feminine and controlled setting for Selinas apartment makes her deterioration a lot to a greater extent(prenominal) effective. Her violent behaviour and the use of props, for example, when she dishevels her stuffed toys with a kitchen knife, is a premonition of her violent behaviour which is to come. The use of this prop makes the scene a lot more shocking. Cat imagery is very evident in this scene. Not only does Selinas home become invaded by alley cats, but she also adopts the characteristics of a cat as she pours milk into her mouth carelessly and licks her lips in an animalistic manner. This truly shows her changing state of mind as the old Selina would never behave in this way. The use of contrasting colours in this scene is also very evident. Burton chooses to contrast the girlishly pink walls with black paint which is frantically sprayed along them by a manic Selina. Through his use of visual styles and the new setting of Selinas apartment, Tim Burton has cre ated an evil, sinister and vengeful atmosphere which coincides with Selinas creation of the evil, sinister and vengeful character, Catwoman.The lighting at the stolon of this scene, as Selina lies in the snow, is low-key and Tim Burton creates a lot of shadows, which are very reflective of his expressionist influences. Like the beginning of the scene, the lighting is also low-key in Selinas apartment. During some of the frames in this scene the lighting is placed beneath Selinas face, creating shadows which give off a sense of insincerity. There are large shadows as she charges just about her apartment trashing it piece by piece with exaggerated movements creating a frightening atmosphere. The low-key lighting in this scene is further emphasised when Selina breaks the light bulbs in her home. Here I think Tim Burton is extremely successful in portraying an evil and villainous atmosphere. As she smashes the light bulbs of her neon-lit sign she transforms it from a welcoming commun icate which used to read Hello There to an uninviting and menacing message which now reads Hell Here. The lighting in this scene becomes even dimmer than before, signifying the extent of Selinas transformation into Catwoman and unleashing an even more hellish setting.The editing at the beginning of this scene is very slow paced. As Selina strolls into her apartment in a state of shock there is a continuous long shot. The camera pans and tracks across the apartment, following Selina around. The slow editing evokes a state of calm. As the scene progresses and Selina becomes more and more infuriated the editing becomes a lot more rapid. There are a lot more cuts and there is a greater shape of camera shots. The audience are presented with many unsettling shots from extreme close ups of Selinas face as she licks her lips frantically to close ups of her stuffed toys in her kitchen sink being destroyed in an act of aggression. These shots are excellent in portraying a sense of panic amo ng the audience. Burton uses point of view shots as Selina begins to construct her Catwoman attire. This makes the audience feel bid they are a part of the action and is successful in provoking sympathy and empathy as the audience try to relate to the feelings that Selina is having.Much the same as the editing, the sound in the beginning of this scene is a lot more calm and slow paced until the scene reaches its climax and the music becomes a lot more frantic and loud. The use of strings is clear in this scene. The music is very low in volume to begin with and is very high pitched which gives a very eerie tone to it. There is a lot of suspense created and the whining sounds of the strings convey a feeling of tension. There is also diagetic sound in this scene such as the creaking of the door and the cat meowing. As Selina destroys her home the music becomes a lot louder and fast paced. The pitch of the music becomes low and threatening. This symbolises Selinas new found control ove r her life and foresees the threat that she is about to bring onto the city of Gotham.Tim Burton uses all elements of film language in this scene and throughout the film effectively to achieve his desired aims and emotions for the audience. In this scene he is very successful in showing a complete alteration from the quiet, dumb character of Selina Kyle to the dominant, sexual and ruthless character of Catwoman.