Tim Burton has had quite the career. Known for his signature Gothic style, he has been turning out beloved classics since the 1980s — from 1988’s “Beetlejuice” all the way to – well – this year’s long-awaited sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” which will premiere this September. What better time, therefore, for the currently ongoing Tribeca Film Festival to debut a brand new docuseries about Tim Burton’s distinguished career?
Part one of the four-part documentary series, untitled as of yet, has just been screened at the New York-based film Festival. The director Tara Wood, known for her previous director retrospectives “21 Years: Richard Linklater” and “QT8: The First Eight,” attended the festival for a post-screening conversation.
Justin Waldman at “Elements of Madness” praised Tara Wood’s “encyclopedic level of knowledge” about Burton. He commented that it “opens a world of great intrigue and provides some insight into one of Hollywood’s weirdest minds.”
It features interviews from a colorful cast of Burton’s regular collaborators, including a slew of A-List stars such as Johnny Depp, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, and Helena Bonham Carter, and behind-the-scenes talents such as composer Danny Elfman and producing partner Derek Frey.
The untitled docuseries was first opened to the market at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Whilst no official release date has been confirmed, this year already marks a massive year for the director releasing “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” in addition to the second season of his Netflix breakout success “Wednesday.”
Never-before-heard stories, such as Johnny Depp having to fend off competition from Tom Cruise and Michael Jackson to star as the titular Edward Scissorhands, will be shared. Depp, in particular, is a very vocal supporter of the documentary, commenting that Burton was the “most important filmmaker who changed my life completely.”
Tara Wood assembled quite an array of interviews, with editor Carissa Bronson putting it together to create the four-part extravaganza. Regarding the director’s career, Bronson said, ” Whatever you do or where you come from, Tim’s story will inspire you.”
