Tim Burton: Beetlejuice director says the internet makes him feel depressed

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Tim Burton made a brief stop from shooting the newest season of Wednesday to check out the exhibition in London before it officially opened.

Director Tim Burton has expressed that his experiences on the internet often leave him feeling "somewhat down."

Before the launch of a significant career retrospective in London, he shared with BBC News, "Anyone who is familiar with me understands that I'm not very comfortable with technology."

"I noticed that spending time online has been pretty draining for me," the 66-year-old explained. "It worried me because I felt like I was slipping into a negative mindset. So now, I make an effort to stay away from it, since it doesn't do me any good."

The Design Museum is showcasing "The World of Tim Burton," an exhibit that includes 600 pieces. The organizers describe it as a unique opportunity to see his creative process up close. This marks the exhibit's debut in the UK, opening to the public this Friday.

Burton is most recognized for directing movies like Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Alice in Wonderland, along with Beetlejuice and its recent follow-up.

Looking back on his time spent online, Burton expressed, "I tend to feel down pretty fast, perhaps faster than most. It doesn't take much for me to start feeling overwhelmed and lose my focus."

The filmmaker mentioned that staying occupied and engaging in simple activities like watching clouds improves his mood. He also finds joy in his collection of ten large dinosaur models, featuring a 20-foot T-Rex, which he displays in his backyard.

Burton takes out his phone and shares a photo of a 50-foot Brontosaurus with us, clearly excited. He mentioned that he purchases the versions typically found in amusement parks, while adding that actor Nicolas Cage owns some authentic ones.

Tim Burton posted a picture of one of his dinosaur sculptures.

"People Were My Biggest Fear"

Items related to movies, ranging from Catwoman to Corpse Bride, have been borrowed for the exhibition.

Burton was born in a suburban area near Los Angeles, California, but has made London his home for the last two decades.

"I felt like an outsider in my own homeland," he shared with the BBC when discussing his experience in London. "Even though I was a foreigner when I arrived, I found a sense of belonging here, as it's a place where I truly feel at ease."

Burton has often been seen as a misunderstood outsider who embraces his uniqueness. During his childhood, he expressed his imagination through art and was captivated by classic horror films and monster movies, which fueled his fascination with creatures.

He remarked that it was obvious, from King Kong to Frankenstein to the Creature from the Black Lagoon, that the monsters were the most expressive characters. In fact, it was the humans that frightened him more.

They resembled the furious villagers from Frankenstein—similar to how people behave online—these faceless individuals [Burton imitates the monster's roar]. Despite being perceived in a particular light, the monster displayed the deepest emotions and feelings.

"Every monster typically has a certain depth of feeling and a touch of humanity that the humans themselves often miss," he remarked.

Items associated with films like Catwoman and Corpse Bride have been borrowed for the new exhibition from Burton's own collection, film studios, and the private collections of collaborators, including designer Colleen Atwood.

Tim Burton/20th Century Studios

Exhibition curator Maria McLintock pointed out that every Tim Burton movie starts with a sketch.

Over the past five decades, Burton has produced a diverse array of work that includes music videos, animated series, illustrated books, and a deep love for photography.

Burton remains unsettled by the fast progress being made in artificial intelligence.

"I can hardly wrap my head around it," he remarked, recalling an event from last year when AI was utilized to reimagine Disney characters in the style of Tim Burton.

You can't truly grasp it until you experience it yourself. It was deeply unsettling for me—both in my mind and in my feelings. It was as if a piece of my very essence had been stripped away.

It's similar to how some cultures express the sentiment, 'please don't photograph me, as it feels like you're stealing a part of my essence.' It reflects the idea that certain actions can strip away our sense of humanity.

All I can express is that I get why people from different cultures might feel as if their spirit is being drained.

Burton Says Goodbye To Batman

Burton started his career as an apprentice animator at Disney, where he made significant advancements in stop-motion animation. He later directed major films like Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992).

When questioned about the possibility of directing another superhero film, he quickly replied with a firm "no."

"It seemed fresh back then," he recalls. "There was a lot of tension since it was a major film and offered a unique take on comic books. That created some stress, but it wasn't the same kind of pressure that exists today."

When asked about his next project, Burton hesitates to reveal his plans. Could it be that he's considering the iconic horror film Frankenstein?

"Not at all," he chuckles. "I already created my take on that with a dog in my 2012 movie Frankenweenie. That's good enough for me."

He acknowledges that he's been energized by the recent achievements of Beetlejuice and the Netflix series Wednesday, for which he directed four episodes.

"The journey in Hollywood is similar to Alice's adventures in Wonderland. There are highs and lows, and everything often feels unpredictable. That's just how it goes," he remarked.

"What I've come to understand, perhaps due to my age, is that I'm going to pursue what makes me happy. If you're interested in joining me, great! But if not, that's perfectly okay—you don’t have to be a part of this journey."

The popular Rave’N dance dress sported by Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Jenna Ortega in the Netflix show, stands out as one of the top costume features.

Over 32,000 individuals purchased advance tickets for The World of Tim Burton, marking the largest pre-sale of tickets in the Design Museum's 35-year history.

Since 2014, the exhibition has been showcased in 14 cities across 11 countries. However, the version in London features over 90 new items.

Guests will have the chance to explore a replica of Burton's personal studio, featuring a tiny model of Godzilla on his desk, showcasing his passion for Japanese Kaiju movies.

However, Burton was initially reluctant to permit the exhibition to take place in London.

"It's quite unusual to expose five decades of your artwork and personal experiences for the whole world to witness," he remarked.

"Working together with the Design Museum for this last destination was definitely the right decision. They have a deep appreciation for the art."

The exhibition features a vast collection of personal artworks, including pieces from Burton's childhood as well as early projects that were never completed.

Tim Marlow, the CEO of the Design Museum, stated, “Throughout his remarkable career, Tim Burton has combined elements of gothic horror and dark humor, blending sadness with magic, quirky charm with a broad creative vision to craft imaginative cinematic universes.”

When talking about his achievements, Burton mentions that he doesn't like the term "Burtonesque," even though many people in popular culture commonly use it to refer to his body of work.

"I've never been fond of that," he states with conviction. "I don’t want to turn into an object. I’ve spent my entire life trying to be more human."

Tim Burton's World will be on display at the Design Museum in London from October 25, 2024, to April 21, 2025.