THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STAGE DESIGN AND NARRATIVE IN STOP MOTION FILMS: TIM BURTON'S 'CORPSE BRIDE'

Abstract

Stop-motion animation is a unique art form that has attracted audiences since its inception because it offers a new and effective viewing experience. In a fictional space and in a world created by real objects, it gives the viewer an inescapable sense of spontaneity. This sense of reality gives a strange but familiar feeling of being in another space parallel to the real world, detached from the reality of time and space in the movie. The contrast between realism and the fantastical adds to the unique appeal of stop-motion animation. In stop-motion films, stage design plays a critical role in storytelling. The creation of physical worlds creates an atmosphere that allows the audience to focus and believe in the story. In addition, it reflects the emotional tone and atmosphere of the characters’ world. Stage design is one of the key elements of stop-motion animation. The space is very important for the audience's acceptability of the atmosphere and story in the animation. If the structural elements of the space are not established correctly, stop-motion films cannot mature sufficiently. This study aims to examine and analyze the role of the relationship between space and narrative in Tim Burton's 'Corpse Bride', one of the most important stop-motion animations, as a proposal to the problem of application in stage design. Burton's visual and stage design's impact on the film’s narrative structure was investigated and analyzed. It is thought that this study will contribute to the literature in terms of emphasizing the importance of stage design in stop-motion animations.