Tim Burton on His Life and Movies Coming Full Circle with 'Frankenweenie'

THR 's awards analyst Scott Feinberg sits down with Oscar nominated filmmaker Tim Burton. 'Frankenweenie' is Tim's second Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.

[@mirraa2497]

Tim Burton seems so nice and friendly and down to earth.

[@reemkadri4394]

so humble, we need more people like him in our world

[@globalcombattv]

+Reem Kadri He can donate more to charities.

[@reemkadri4394]

+Stormy Molnjavichen you only think that because it's not publicized when he does..

[@globalcombattv]

Reem Kadri I hope so.

[@reemkadri4394]

+Stormy Molnjavichen that makes two of us

[@TimBurtonsSkeleton]

@@globalcombattvit’s also his money plus you don’t know if he has or not

[@MsVamp91]

Tim Burton, your work is perfect in every way.

[@amberbledsoe4746]

He has such a beautiful mind. In class, we studied his techniques and I basically could teach about him. If I could have a world of my own, it would definatly be a mix of Tim Burton, Edgar Allan Poe, and Stephen King. My greatest inspiration is Tim Burton, and it would be amazing if I could meet him. And in a way, he helped me see that no one is actually different, we each just have likes and dislikes, and shouldn't be catigorized or put in groups or cliques specifically for that. If you think differently, everyone thinks your dark and Tim Burton isn't dark. He just sees beauty in things that are a bit broken, and misunderstood because they have a story to them. To me, nothing is beautiful unless it's a bit broken. Then it has value. Because it has a story to it.

[@Caroline-pb8xx]

Amber Bledsoe +

[@abigailalvarado4781]

I agree

[@darkerthanblack4430]

I had the same idea basically !! Tim Burton, Frank Miller, and a mixture of my own. I write and drew so much to the point where I thought nobody else had the same idea.

[@emiliohc6914]

what about now?

[@guilhermeferrari7807]

Accurately written lady! That's it!

[@farrahdanny9958]

When he says that people can notice if a movie is a Tim Burton movie, I agree. But when I notice, it's not a bad thing. I love Tim Burton so much and he has his own sense of creepy, odd style that I love so much. When I saw the commercial for the 2012 Frankenweenie, I knew right away that it was a Tim Burton film because it had the touch of darkness and extreme creativity that I have never seen anyone show except for Tim Burton. He is truly a one of a kind person.

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

For me at least, Coraline kind of looks like a Tim Burton movie, even if it is not. Interesting.

[@MephProduction]

@@andreialexandruparfeni7129 But Henry Selick worked with Tim several times, and being stop motion used many of the same crew members.

[@Dragonspeak30]

Hahaha....he's got Einstein hair! And Einstein had a thing for imagination...and Tim Burton is VERY imaginative. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” ~ Albert Einstein

[@Thomas-jf3eu]

Vox Populi adding on that, he's actually the same enneagram type as Einstein, so he should have a similar personality. If you know what enneagram is.

[@nuclearcatbaby1131]

Danny Elfman wrote in an early Oingo Boingo song “I might’ve been an Einstein”

[@shuvcat]

He looks more like Einstein as he ages

[@andyroobrick-a-brack9355]

He looks ke a perfect mix of Einstein and Nick Cage.

[@hbclestrange476]

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter are the cutest couple ever! I love them so much!

[@BelatedCommiseration]

I love the fact that, as Tim Burton has matured, he definitely is a lot more articulate than he used to be. He was always interesting and a creative director, but now he seems more at ease with himself and with expressing his opinions. To my mind though, the older he gets, the more he sounds like Woody Allen :D I particularly relate to what he said about 'phases' in life...sometimes I feel I know less now than I did at fifteen.

[@nebulousisgod]

I know what you mean. Easy to feel stagnant after so long. We don’t actually know everything at 15, we just thought we did.

[@akashmakkar7187]

Almost as if he has some sort of delay, a neurodevelopment delay? Which one of those leads to one being labelled as weird and not being able to fit in?

[@BelatedCommiseration]

@@akashmakkar7187 Maybe...I have thought that Edward Scissorhands is very much a visual representation of what it is probably like to be an autistic person...Edward does not understand the social world he lives in and 'rips' through it... but all unintentionally and only with the urge to reach out and 'touch' someone in mind...so I have often thought that Burton may be very on the 'spectrum' and I believe he has expressed some thoughts on this too...but that he is not particularly bothered to have an official diagnosis at this point in his life as he has made use of his art to deal with it and engage with the world...and lucky for him, people love what he does and want to make movies with him!

[@MICHAEL91210]

He's a open book. Great guy.

[@marisiadelafuga7502]

what a pure genius ! Using his talent with such a generosity and awesomeness!

[@carolineguercio4057]

Love Tim Burton. Fellow INFP!

[@godlikemf9285]

Same...

[@amna0alhawaj]

Is he infp or enfp 🤔

[@xoltarkahlisi5938]

@@amna0alhawaj I would say he is more infp cause of how he likes his alone time as he says where he stayed in a room with his mind and thoughts and ideas for drawing

[@nuclearcatbaby1131]

Danny Elfman is also an NFP

[@gabe_s_videos]

Say what you will about his movies, but I really, really like Tim Burton as a person and an artist. There's no ego with him whatsoever, he "gets" the twisted logic of show business and Hollywood and I feel like that's why he he's been able to stick around for as long as he has and make the kind of films he's made. And while I'm not crazy about some of his newer stuff, he's very good at making things that, for better or worse, nobody asked for.

[@Cherry28K]

Honestly, I thought he was just one of those incredibly creative weirdos... Instead, I'm amazed at his wisdom and humility... such a beautiful mind and take on life!

[@marcos.1984]

Tim Burton, one of the greatest Directors we have. There's nothing more to say!

[@michaelforthriller]

i'd love to see a Tim Burton remake of ''THE WITCHES''

[@nerdsman567]

I'd love to see him remake "The Addams Family."

[@NA-rp1zj]

nerdsman567 The Addams Family is such a classic~ besides it was already remade? But yes I agree I would love to see Tim's twist~

[@wilsonwijaya.design]

it could work due to his natural goth-like art style.

[@TheDisney1901]

So would I, Ken my man. Illumination Entertainment and Tim actually were going to remake Addams at one point. -S.

[@sspdirect02]

Robert Zemeckis is slated to direct.

[@jamlym4974]

I can see him going down in history as a great artist.

[@RYN988]

Love his humility. Gifted filmmaker.

[@wistfulchameleon]

Two of my four year old brother's favorite movies are The Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas. He watches a lot of Tim Burton's movies because he's my favorite director. He idolizes Jack Skellington. He gets into trouble at preschool a lot for talking about it. My grandparents think that the movies are giving him nightmares or are going to give him nightmares. But if you look at him while he watches any Tim Burton movie it absolutely captivates him. I love that Tim Burton's movies can interest people of all age groups.

[@winni223]

Although I admire Tim's works, here I 'd like to say some good words addressing Scott - always good at taking interviews - always nicely prepared, good questions, not formal 'dry' style of interviews, really interested in the subject

[@istoleyourlatte]

The interviewer did an amazing job honestly

[@Ur2ez4me81]

Such a amazing talented man right here. Can’t remember a bad Burton film growing up as a kid, everything from Pee Wee to Corpse Bride... His work along with Danny Elfman’s music has always been so brilliant...

[@D0NTST4RT]

How hasn't Nick Cage played Tim Burton in a movie before?

[@KadenThompsonShaolin]

watched this last night. Loved it !!

[@jamlym4974]

Someone should make a movie about Tim.

[@misinlaguna]

I adore Tim Burton.....he's my genius!

[@tacomasters2106]

I grew up with frankenweenie. Tim burton is maybe the only reason I wanna become a movie director. Hes an huge inspiration for me and probaly other people in this world.

[@alexkesteris3425]

His hair is like his characters

[@emilygingewalker]

This man is just genius on legs! My inspiration! My favourite celebrity!

[@void2657]

Me too. When I was a kid I loved Tim Burton movies, and I still do. His movies were some of the only ones I would watch.

[@Kewkumber]

Great questions !! Admire Tim so much 🙌🏼

[@starcatchfilms4367]

A unique and beautiful legend, We are lucky to have his films in our world x

[@Lunamoonx.x]

His mind is so beautiful

[@scotty]

Sweeney Todd, I'd always loved it in the various productions, excited and concerned when I heard it was to be a movie Until I heard who was going to be in it and who was going to direct. I am very pleased how it turned out. Just beautiful.

[@LivingDeadGoth89]

Frankenweenie scared me to the core as a kid. And I didn’t even watch it. Still gives me the Heebie jeebies

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

Wasnt a fan of any of his work until i started watching his interviews. What an incredibly likable guy. Now i love his films knowing the man

[@MareshahGee]

Watching this 5 years later & I love how Scott Feinberg brought up Dumbo & now Tim Burton is releasing his own version of Dumbo in 2019

[@yamama3510]

Very detailed interview

[@D00R]

Tim, people’s contradicted reactions to your movies means you have reached people globally with your work and have every reaction you can receive from humanity. It’s very impressive and don’t see it as daunting pal.

[@Skinnypiglove]

I love all of Tim Burton's movies!

[@randomlysunny]

He's so brilliant. Favorite film maker!

[@sofiaweahkee1550]

he need so much more recognition

[@etf7054]

I love tim burton he's so great

[@ChristionGirl45]

It took me 10 minutes to see that Tim was wearing a brace, sling thing on his arm. It blended in with his outfit!

[@LivingDeadGoth89]

I only noticed after reading your comment hahahaha

[@rockingbrowneyedgirl]

@@LivingDeadGoth89 same. Hahahaha I didn't even notice until I read the comment. Lol

[@RawbSalter]

Great interview! My only little critique is that the lighting in the interview could for sure use some improvement.... it's so natural like daylight on one side and then all yellowy on the other..

[@NA-rp1zj]

Tim Burton is such an inspiration to me~ I've really started to develop an interesting style of art to which people say it reminds them of Burton's style?

[@NA-rp1zj]

Iain McManus Nice drawings your style is quite Burtonesque

[@NA-rp1zj]

Iain McManus could you also check out mine? Maybe?? instagram.com/sweetcandymist/

[@wickeddragongoddess]

love tim burton!

[@tomjones2348]

it's unfortunate they couldn't find a better interviewer for this.

[@devinmonsini4788]

My greatest inspiration . I always felt like a misfit and have found comfort in chaos because of this man .

[@dexterWES]

from 10:00 to 12:00 Tim is like 'man, I never understood a fuck about how my movies are considered, it's a fucking mess'

[@elainejones6345]

Love him he's amazing

[@charlottemadadi]

I‘ve always been a big fan of Tim Burton. I got the VHS of nightmare before Christmas for my 7th Christmas and watched it twice a day for 2 weeks. I think I saw Batman at the same age or earlier, didn’t traumatized me at all.

[@FirstNameLastName-pg3pi]

i don’t think it traumatized anyone

[@tristawhitedove6027]

If Tim hadn't created the movies and things he did my inspiration for art my art as well as some of who i am would not be the way it is today at half his age :) Love him and all his works!

[@Xelos-wq1xh]

One of my favorite directors :D

[@martynak4960]

*YOU KNOW* I love this guy! 😂❤️

[@jesusrios9482]

I'm pretty sure a lot of people agree that Tim Burton's Batman was the best Batman movie ever made.... And the funny thing about it is that the new Batman that just came out to me had a lot of elements of timberton's movie... And look at the great reviews it got....

[@meepmeep3831]

Ahhhh I wanna meet Tim burton soooo bad

[@lorenaalamilla5099]

Happy birthday Tim burton

[@pattyparedes3159]

AMAZING MAN

[@haleylewis693]

This is great! Tim is a genius and has never came across to me as scary. When I was a kid his movies always made me laugh and happy! I can't wait to see what he does next! He is just so inspirational!

[@MarcusStaAnaBurSelF]

Tim Burton, you are awesome!

[@twoboys9717]

A living LEGEND

[@EduardaSilveira]

He's the best

[@shankarbalakrishnan2360]

Make some movies again❤❤

[@PackCorey]

You and me both!

[@christasmith4146]

I totally agree with u

[@linkfan160]

Tim is not a bad Director. Far from it. His earlier films are absolutely amazing. I think he's just lost his touch recently and needs to go back to his roots. I hope Dumbo does well.

[@jerrelljones9991]

Dumbo was not a very good remake it lacked heart and substance but I still love Tim Burton movies and Im still a huge fan of Burton

[@Starmangler]

I am inspired by him to make poems and be myself,

[@briisawhoreheckyeah7706]

Tim Burton you are the Best!

[@leafyishereisdumbnameakath4259]

1:21 so humble

[@RickyCespedes]

Tim Burtons style is so definitive and unique that I believe that there will never be anything replacing it in the future. Or any way that it can be reinvented. From the music to his intro texts and over all attitude. It's like trying to reinvent water or air. There's no need and you just can't do it. And if I'm not mistaken Tim Burton basically invented this type of look a style in film making right? There wasn't anything like it exactly before him? It's like almost inventing the whole goth scene as we know today.

[@MephProduction]

Tim did not invent German expressionism or british horror the two things that he basically has adopted for his style.

[@hollyfusco2000]

We stan supportive teachers

[@kryptonitespider-bitedynam7305]

Combs: exist Tim Burton: we don't do that here

[@vandalsavage6990]

I wonder what was Tims first thought🤯 when the interviewer😔 asked him that cliche question....🤘

[@victoriawhite8176]

My grandpa hired him to draw a movie for him i am not lying this is true all of that was in dallas texas i live there

[@cyndifoore7743]

I would think that the most important thing for the director would be his art and how his movie makes an audience feel. I think the most important thing for the studio is money 💰

[@pame_molina2]

he awesome

[@jamlym4974]

I just realized how ironic it is that they would fire him around the time of Black Cauldron.

[@PackCorey]

If Oz: The Great and Powerful didn't already happen, I would've liked to see Burton make an Oz remake that was a non-musical and was more of a action-adventure epic with a dash of spookiness and suspense. Just think of a Pirates of the Carribean meets Alice in Wonderland type of Oz. I could see Johnny Depp as the Scarecrow, Robert Downey Jr. as the Tin man and John C. Reilly as the Lion and maybe Hailee Steinfield, Chloe Grace Moretz or Elle Fanning as Dorothy. I think that would be Great!

[@MephProduction]

he did try and make a Oz tv show

[@Xavier-my8wg]

Edward scissorhands scared the shit out of me as a kid

[@kristapettibone7896]

Best man ever

[@renetrimble7064]

Luv his brain@!!!!

[@varunemani]

Once u can relate to Tim's work & eye to detail sometimes with no point of clear reference except pure imagination, u would know that no director since is any where even close to capable of creating a true to the comic books Batman movie that was as much a exciting treat to watch visually & narratively than the first 2 movies he made with the right actor for Bats & Wayne - Mr. Keaton. Also He just had the technical craft in him that enabled him to 'Show & not tell' but that's not the case with the recent purely pretentious Nolan movies with his annoying signature parallely setup story lines that honestly just makes every movie he made look like another Inception.. I must say that guy nolan just used the blue print of what our genius here had left there on the silver screen ages ago! CHEERIO..!

[@julesthompson6690]

Genius.

[@wolfgangmami111]

TIM BURTON IS MY FAVORITE IDGAF

[@tylerpretorius1339]

Tim Burton is Ray Harryhausen

[@benjaminhenjamin6774]

What a stud

[@FirstNameLastName-pg3pi]

ew

[@TrackpadProductions]

Ah, Tim Burton. Where everything is either too colorful or not colorful enough. Gotta love him =)

[@theechoecho749]

Tim Burton is a Virgo

[@frosinablazevska6691]

Oh noo..worst sight ever

[@shankarbalakrishnan2360]

Well said❤❤😂😂

[@alyssagonzalez3175]

his cute lil chunky cheeks ♡

[@latinstuff1]

Alyssa Gonzalez so are you

[@anasynthetic2483]

Like a lil hamster

[@frosinablazevska6691]

​@@anasynthetic2483he is human hamster 😂🎉

[@eduardovelasquez1488]

I wonder if Tim Burton would like to possibly collaborate with Steven Wilson in some way. His music would greatly compliment Tim Burtons films

[@henrikmichael1875]

A genius

[@ashtonhunt2652]

What happend to his arm?

[@yamama3510]

Should’ve been a little bit of Tim Burtons style in the Matrix 🤤

[@PackCorey]

Do you mean Oz: The Great and Powerful or a remake of the original? If he was supposed to remake the original, I wonder why he didn't make the film. I think it would've been a huge success both commercially and critically. In-fact, it probably could've turned out to be an Oscar-worthy masterpiece, if he made it right.

[@Popunkwillneverdie]

I joined a convent ..... at the church of river phoenix... it's very agnostic

[@dafalzonAUS]

Sleepy Hollow, loved it

[@pcastle-piccolibrividi3205]

YOU KNOW

[@assassinsknight]

I still want to see superman lives

[@Inceptions661]

You know