Tim Burton

Timothy William Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American film director, writer and designer known for his off-beat and quirky style.
Especially in his stop-motion animated films, he is known for the exaggerated style of his characters, which still retain their serious, humanlike characteristics i.e. the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
He first came to note directing the Warner Brothers film Beetlejuice, which was followed by the blockbuster success of Batman in 1989. Following which he continued to make blockbusters as well as smaller dramas that continue to study loneliness in a style influenced by Gothic fairy tales.
Planet of the Apes was a commercial success, grossing $68 million in its opening weekend. The film was a significant departure from Burton's usual style, and there was much subsequent debate about whether the film was really Burton's, or if he was just a "hired gun" who did what he was asked.
Burton went on to direct Big Fish (2003), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Corpse Bride (2005), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature Film: all of which have adopted his typical gothic fairy style

A few of his trademarks:
Frequently uses the name Edward
Visual style and themes heavily influenced by Gothic horror films of the twenties and thirties, especially those of James Whale and F.W. Murnau, along with the films of German Expressionism. The illustrations of Edward Gorey are another major influence.
Frequently works with actor Johnny Depp. The two collaborated in the films Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Corpse Bride. Tim wanted to cast Johnny in his movie Mars Attacks (he wanted cast him in the role that eventually went to Michael J Fox)
Frequently shows dead dogs, clowns, sheep, twisted trees, jack-o'-lanterns, scarecrows, butterflies, and redheads in his films.
His films frequently have dinner table scenes.
His films often have gothic subtexts.
Personalizes the production logo in the beginning of his films.
Opening credits usually utilize a tracking shot. They also tend to go either on, through, or into something.

What kind of consumer am i?

As i said in class you cant pigeonhole a consumer into any of the four cs yet can crossover into many of them. I personally consider myself as a mainstreamer, at times an aspirer and attempt to be a reformer. I actively consume well-recognised brands such as coca cola and watch mainstream texts such as Eastenders. I also consume high status brands (when i can afford it), however with society generally becoming more aware of eco-friendly products it has encouraged me to buy products such as fair trade although this is not as active as mainstream consumption.

Shock HoRoRr!!

After many discussions with "Bush" about why so many departments/teachers at school label Media Studies as "easy" or as even one teacher said "it's like teaching the ABC"...i've come across an article in the media guardian which confirms this. I would imagine millions of people read The Guardian so has the article permenantly tainted the image of Media Studies or is what is said as insignificant as those green-eyed teachers at school?
http://media.guardian.co.uk/mediaguardian/story/0,,1864368,00.html (Media Studies? I'd prfer a law degree)

My comment
Cambridge Uni has practically signposted it as a"Mickey Mouse subject over the door of the media studies department in every school, college and university in Britain." Perhaps they are just not ready to see the "value of new subjects" or is it actually a lightweight academic subject? Cambridge uni amongst other top unis insist they do not 'explicitly' discriminate upon a students choice of a levels but they may well do with "advice" such as this. I think that if the media is such a big instituion in (post)modern society today with a greater influence on our lives than ever before; surely it deserves as much recogniton or if not more as an academic A Level subject. Cambridge also went on to say that business studies is considered a weaker subject and that students are strongly advised to pick two academic subjects at least such as English or history and then accompany them with Media studies. Nevertheless, there is evidence that there has been some warming to the subject.. "Observer editor Roger Alton says: "The nature of the media governs the way we think. Even people within the industry often aren't aware of what's going on, and it repays study." Well what do you think? Feel free to comment.