Tim Burton: The internet makes me quite depressed

Tim Burton, the Oscar-nominated director, recently took a break from filming his new series Wednesday to visit an exhibition in London that celebrates his career. This exhibition, titled The World of Tim Burton, is set to open to the public on Friday at the Design Museum. It features an impressive collection of 600 items that provide a rare glimpse into Burton's creative process. Known for his distinctive style, Burton has directed beloved films such as Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and Alice in Wonderland. However, he has expressed that spending time on the internet makes him feel 'quite depressed. ' In an interview with BBC News, the 66-year-old filmmaker admitted, 'If I look at the internet, I found that I got quite depressed. ' He described how the internet can lead him down a dark path, which is why he tries to avoid it. Instead, he finds comfort in simple activities, like looking at clouds, which help him feel better. Burton also has a fascinating collection of giant dinosaur models in his backyard, including a 20-foot T-Rex. He enjoys sharing pictures of these models, which he purchases from amusement parks. Reflecting on his childhood, Burton shared that he was often scared of humans rather than monsters. He grew up watching classic horror films, which fueled his love for creatures and the emotional depth they represent. 'It was very clear from King Kong to Frankenstein that all the monsters were the most emotional,' he explained. 'The humans were the ones that scared me. ' The exhibition includes various objects related to his films, such as Catwoman and Corpse Bride, which have been loaned from his personal archives and the collections of collaborators. Burton has lived in London for the past 20 years and feels more at home there than in his native California. He describes himself as a 'tortured outcast' and a 'weirdo,' embracing his uniqueness and the creativity it brings. The exhibition also showcases sketches and drawings that illustrate how each of his films begins. With over 50 years of creative output, Burton's work spans music videos, animated series, and photography. He expressed concern about the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly how it can impact creativity. He recounted a disturbing experience where AI transformed Disney characters into his style, saying, 'It felt like my soul had been taken from me. ' He believes that technology can sometimes rob us of our humanity. Burton began his career as an apprentice animator at Disney and later directed iconic films like Batman. When asked if he would return to the superhero genre, he quickly replied 'no. ' He reflected on the pressure of making big movies, noting that it feels different now compared to when he first started. Despite this, he feels invigorated by the recent success of projects like Beetlejuice and the Netflix series Wednesday, which he directed. He likened his Hollywood journey to an Alice in Wonderland adventure, filled with ups and downs. 'What I realize now is OK I'm just gonna do what I want,' he stated. The exhibition in London has already sold over 32,000 advance tickets, making it the largest pre-sale in the Design Museum's history. Visitors will have the opportunity to see many new items and a recreation of Burton's private studio, which features a miniature Godzilla. Although he was initially hesitant to share his work with the public, he ultimately decided to collaborate with the Design Museum because they understand his art. The exhibition will run from October 25, 2024, to April 21, 2025, showcasing Tim Burton's extraordinary career and creative journey.