Music

Tim Burton is closely related with his use of spooky soundtracks in his films. Burton was originally better known for his visual techniques in film but the music and sounds in his films have become more and more well known as they shape and reflect the general creepiness and darkness of what we see. Danny Elfman, a talented composer, has worked in close relation with Tim Burton on the vast majority of his films having scored all but three of his works ('Cabin Boy', 'James and the Giant Peach' and 'Ed Wood'). Elfman has also had many voice roles in Burton films. It is needless to say that Tim Burton and Danny Elfman go hand in hand.

As far as Burton’s placement of this eerie music in his films goes, you will see that it always reflects the dark and creepy nature of the mis en scene (everything in the shot) as demonstrated in the opening credits of Edward Sissorhands …

Another example of this would be in Sleepy Hollow where Burton uses music a lot to enhance the mood created by his stunning and shocking visuals ...

But Burton knows how to place music not only to make the audience uncomfortable and creeped out but also to invoke sympathy and other emotions. I am going to play Penguin's death again but this time I want you to play closer attention to the music ... The music changes when he dies, the violins are sombre and slow and then as the penguins come out an oboe starts playing. The music is sad but still has a creepiness to it with the tingling bells, which are heard in many Burton films, over top. This stays true to Burton's style whilst invoking sympathy in the audience.