Edward scissorhands film techniques

October 19, 2016 To what extent is this statement true: “Edward’s problems are all caused by his kindness and good-heartedness.” Brainstorm at least three of Edward’s conflicts and the cause of each problem. Is this enough to justify agreeing with the statement? If so, why? If not, why not? Consider the problems Edward faces that are not caused by his kindness and good-heartedness. What themes are involved with this topic?

Discussion warm-up What conflicts does Edward cause? What conflict(s) is Edward caught in? Who’s the monster? Edward, the townspeople, Edward’s creator, others? How is Edward both ugly and beautiful? Would you say he is a monster? Or would you say that society has made him a monster? How does society treat people who are different? How has knowing Edward changed Kim’s life? How has knowing Kim changed Edward’s life? What do you think Peg means when she says to Kim that she has made a mistake by bringing Edward to live with them? What do you think of the Blogg’s family? Do you think Edward wanted to belong to a family? Explain your answer.

Eye-Level Angle To make the audience feel comfortable with the character and to increase comedy, as though we are sitting across from him.

Full shot Helps to explain Edward’s isolation and fear of outsiders. There is little light and he emerges from the shadows, elevating his mysteriousness and the decaying world in which he lives.

High Angle To make the audience sense Edward’s vulnerability as he appears smaller when viewed from above, especially surrounded by the predatory housewives, all clamouring for his attention. Helps to establish the scene in complete contrast (juxtaposed) with Edward’s mansion to which we are firstly acquainted. The audience immediately notices the pastel colours (lack of passion) and the uniformity of the houses, nature strips, and roads. The message is that this is Suburbia and Edward is very different.

Long shot This simultaneously shows how small and vulnerable Peg is and how foreboding the setting is so that the intertextuality of Gothic settings (lack of color, spiral staircase, cobwebs, large and open spaces) is immediately established, and the audience is prepared for something ‘grotesque’ awaiting Peg.

Close up shot To highlight the universal nature of love to the audience, all of whom are likely to have experienced, in some sense, love and loss and can empathize with the impossibility of Kim and Edward’s situation. The scissors in the foreground convey the message that this feature is paramount in any relationship Edward attempts to have; he cannot help but hurt the ones he loves.

Low angle shot To fill the screen with Kim’s pure and innocent joy at Edward’s hands as he creates ‘snow’ while sculpting ice for her family. This makes the audience feel vulnerable as she takes up the screen from this angle. Jim also sees Kim from this angle, emphasizing his vulnerability and lack of ability to make Kim this happy.

What type of shot is this and what message is being sent What type of shot is this and what message is being sent? What “literary” devices can be applied to these two images?