With the Batman films, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Ed Wood, Tim Burton has established himself as one of cinema's great visionaries. Formerly an animator with Walt Disney, Burton's ascent through the studio system to his current position as one of Hollywood's most successful directors has been swift. But while his movies are box-office gold, his approach is distinctly personal. In this fascinating and enlightening book, Burton talks about his childhood in Burbank, his time at Disney, the recurring themes present in his work, and how his films are fuelled by emotion, symbolism and sometimes inner torment.