Tim Burton and Ed Wood are both
cold directors. As said in the Jonathan Ross documentary, Ed Wood had a “very distinctive,
absolutely unusual style” and I think that very much applies to Tim Burton too.
They are both weird and unique individualists and it shows through their film
work. In any case of difference, Wood was more of the type to actually be awkward
with his cross dressing; Burton comes off as more of an appreciator of
awkwardness. Together they exploit the awkward state of being by producing their
films and instilling themselves in their productions. Certain elements used in
Burton’s Biopic of Ed Wood were ones of conformity, outcasts, family, and
passion. In the film Ed Wood, we see similar suburban neighborhoods. Burton and
Wood both felt constricted by their areas of living. For Ed Wood it was more of
his way of living that held back his wearing of women’s clothing side of him.
Tim Burton’s dysfunctional family and their depiction of an ideal lifestyle
turned him against what was deemed as acceptable and conformist. Both Ed and
Tim had a habit for gathering people of their kind to work and act for them. By
people of their kind I mean others who were outcasts and misfits in the
conformed world. The two directors are known for bringing together the strange
and offbeat and creating a comfortable togetherness of a family. Like Maila
Nurmi, who played Vampira in one of Ed Woods films, said in Jonathan Ross’
documentary “birds of a feather flock together”
I like the use of the word "cold" to describe Wood and Burton. Unusual, strange, and weird are words that are usually used to describe these type of men, but "cold" brings out another side that totally makes sense. "Appreciator of awkwardness" is also a perfect way to describe Burton, and the fact that Wood was embarrassed of his awkwardness made me think that Burton's acceptance of his strangeness might have helped his success, while Wood's reluctance to show his held him back. Finally, I loved how you connected how the two men ended up hating the idea of suburban life and conformity. Their reasons were very different, but brought upon the same exact opinion. Tim Burton's family being incredibly dysfunctional turned him from suburban life, while the fact that Wood couldn't be accepted wearing women's clothing in the same suburban life changed his mind about conformity. Bomb stuff Gibby!
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