Introduction
In order to conduct my study, I analyzed the character design of the following movies: Beetlejuice (1988), Edward Scissorhands (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1994), Corpse Bride (2005), and Frankenweenie (2012).
Data Collection Tool
In order to gather information, I developed a data collection tool which focuses on the following two major aspects: the character construction and the emotional connection between the audience and the character through both character identification and character engagement. Having said that, what follows next is a brief outline of what I analyzed in each section.
Character Construction
- The grotesque and the uncanny portrayed in the character design.
Emotional Connection Through Character Identification
- Connection on a Surface Level between the character and the audience (through physical appearance, gender and sexuality, race or ethnicity)
- Connection on a Deeper Level between the character and the audience (through personal backstory, embodied experience)
Emotional Connection Through Character Engagement
- Levels of Sympathy towards the character (through recognition, alignment, allegiance)
- Levels of Empathy (through emotional simulation, affective mimicry)
Gathering Data from Tim Burton’s movies
