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Tim Burton Is No James Cameron

Tim Burton directs Mia Wasikowska in ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Tim Burton reveals he's not "in love with technology." Could he be taking a jab at someone who does.... like James Cameron?

Tim Burton whose ALICE IN WONDERLAND in 3D opens March 5th recently spoke to CineMovie during a press conference in Hollywood. In a response to our question on whether there were any technological difficulties in realizing his vision of ALICE IN WONDERLAND, the talented auteur preferred to concentrate on the artistic side of filmmaking rather on the technical aspect during filming.

MOVIE CLIP: Watch Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter

According to the Edward Scissorhands director, "I never try to focus too much on the technology. The fun of it for us is the artistic thing of it and feeling like you're making a movie and not get too overly involved or in love with technology."

Burton's filmmaking philosophy led to his decision to shoot ALICE IN WONDERLAND in 2D rather than using the cumbersome 3D cameras which drew criticism from James Cameron before filming. James Cameron publicly criticized Tim Burton's decision to shoot ALICE IN WONDERLAND in 2D while addressing a 3D convention in December of 2008. Cameron felt the conversion process did not deliver a true 3D and was nothing short of a gimmick.

MOVIE TRAILER & PHOTOS: ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Although no names were mentioned throughout the discussion on 2D versus 3D Tim Burton and Johnny Depp at Comic Con 2009 during our time with Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, his co-stars, and his crew, perhaps he was indirectly addressing a filmmaker such as James Cameron (Aliens, Titanic, True Lies) who seems to really be in love with technology. After all, Cameron personally involves himself in creating new technology for his movies particularly with the much talked about and ground-breaking Avatar. Cameron personally created new cameras to capture the actors using motion capture which advanced filmmaking technology and helped Avatar become the all-time highest grossing film.

Why did Burton chose not to shoot in 3D? The Corpse Bride director didn't feel the need to rely on 3D cameras when the technology for his re-imagination of ALICE IN WONDERLAND was already at his disposal.

"There is no point in shooting in 3D when there's nothing to shoot. We're using so many techniques. We didn't go motion capture. We had live action. We had animation. We had a little bit of virtual sets, and a little bit of sets. When we did the conversion from Nightmare (Before Christmas) and Ken Ralston (Senior Visual Effects Supervisor) and I looked at things that were shot in 3D, and shot in 2D conversion. We always knew it was 3D."

Burton's Director of Photography Dariusz Wolski, ASC elaborated on Burton's decision not to shoot with 3D cameras on set. "Why bother? Why add another 40 days to the schedule, " said Wolsk. "The most important thing for Tim is to have a relationship with actors and performance -- basically act like any other movie unlike those motion capture movies that everything is done completely later. There was this performance level that was crucial to Tim."

The cinematographer of the three Pirates of the Caribbean movies and Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Barber Street further added the 3D cameras would not allow for "flexibility, intimacy" and Burton's spontaneity on set, a trademark of the imaginative director.

Ken Ralston, the Senior Visual Effects Supervisor, took on the task of fulfilling the former Walt Disney animator's vision for ALICE IN WONDERLAND using the actors as much as possible. The biggest challenge for the veteran visual effects guru (Forrest Gump, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Back to the Future trilogy) was Alice's varying sizes in the film in respect to the other characters. Ralston spent most of his time on Burton's set making sure he got what he needed for the visual effects in post production. He explains the process of a scene with a giant-sized Alice holding a much smaller Mad Hatter in her hand.

"Traditionally you'd shoot her holding a green soccer ball, talking to it. Then you'd shoot Johnny separately and then put them together later," says Ralston. "We didn't want to ruin the performances by breaking it up. So we shot as many of the scenes with the actors in it at the same time. I had to make sure those were set up correctly so I can worry about it later to increase their size but still have her (Alice) right in there with Johnny."

While Tim Burton prefers not to use motion capture for his actors, would Burton's frequent collaborator Johnny Depp take on a role that required suiting up for a motion capture? The Mad Hatter who was dressed in his usual hat, glasses, blazer, and wrapped in various colorful scarfs replied, "I suppose. I don't care. I'll put anything on" he joked. "Doesn't matter.... obviously", he says as he points to his own clothing. "Look at me. I don't mind."

Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter in ALICE IN WONDERLAND

While Johnny Depp may be up for anything, filmmakers like Tim Burton and James Cameron have their different approach to filmmaking but ultimately everyone shares a common goal - to make a good, entertaining movie.

Starting March 5th, audiences will make their own preference for a 2D or 3D Wonderland when Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND opens in movie theaters nationwide.

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