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Tim Burton's 'Big Fish' Tale

Aired January 02, 2004 - 15:20   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, in a time of big fights on the big screen in "The Last Samurai" and Lord of the Rings," it's time for the "Big Fish." The fantasy filmed in Alabama is coming to a movie screen near you.
And Andy Culpepper has our fish story focusing on the flick's director.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDY CULPEPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One look at scenes from "Big Fish" and it's obvious no ordinary filmmaker crafted this feature.

TIM BURTON, DIRECTOR: Remember, like on yours, it was really close. So just back it up, yes.

CULPEPPER: Tim Burton's filmography includes "Sleepy Hollow," "Edward Scissorhands," and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," among others, each revealing a different aspect of Burton's skewed world view, something the director professes not to dwell on.

BURTON: I try not to think about it, because, it's like, you know, because it's a business, you know, at the end of it all, you know, the film, it's like, I don't think about it, because I don't want to become a thing, you know? If you start thinking of yourself as a thing and not a human being, you know you're in trouble.

CULPEPPER: "Big Fish" gives Burton plenty of material to work with. A father and son story, it takes on the look and feel of a fable, a giant, a witch, a carnival barker, and, of course, a fish of mythic proportions. It's the stuff Burton revels in. And, apparently, so do his actors.

BILLY CRUDUP, ACTOR: Tim Burton is a fantastic, imaginative, unique director. And I think people are drawn to that in his filmmaking.

JESSICA LANGE, ACTRESS: He has such great energy and enthusiasm and a -- you know, an eccentric way of looking at things. I mean, there is nothing kind of ordinary about Tim.

CULPEPPER: But the native Californian, who makes his home in London, is like any other man in at least one regard. He's become a father recently with girlfriend and "Big Fish" co-star Helena Bonham Carter. It's a life-altering event even a guy like Burton can marvel at. BURTON: Nobody prepares you that it's the most surreal thing that can happen in life. And we're all the result of it. And yet that's why I'm always amazed by people that think things are strange. It's like, well, how come nobody's mentioned this? This is the strangest thing that could happen. So it's great.

CULPEPPER: Somehow, somewhere down the road, you just know Burton will be telling a "Big Fish" story to his own son. And wouldn't that make an interesting whopper of a tale?

For "Entertainment Weekly," I'm Andy Culpepper.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired January 2, 2004 - 15:20   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, in a time of big fights on the big screen in "The Last Samurai" and Lord of the Rings," it's time for the "Big Fish." The fantasy filmed in Alabama is coming to a movie screen near you.
And Andy Culpepper has our fish story focusing on the flick's director.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDY CULPEPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One look at scenes from "Big Fish" and it's obvious no ordinary filmmaker crafted this feature.

TIM BURTON, DIRECTOR: Remember, like on yours, it was really close. So just back it up, yes.

CULPEPPER: Tim Burton's filmography includes "Sleepy Hollow," "Edward Scissorhands," and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," among others, each revealing a different aspect of Burton's skewed world view, something the director professes not to dwell on.

BURTON: I try not to think about it, because, it's like, you know, because it's a business, you know, at the end of it all, you know, the film, it's like, I don't think about it, because I don't want to become a thing, you know? If you start thinking of yourself as a thing and not a human being, you know you're in trouble.

CULPEPPER: "Big Fish" gives Burton plenty of material to work with. A father and son story, it takes on the look and feel of a fable, a giant, a witch, a carnival barker, and, of course, a fish of mythic proportions. It's the stuff Burton revels in. And, apparently, so do his actors.

BILLY CRUDUP, ACTOR: Tim Burton is a fantastic, imaginative, unique director. And I think people are drawn to that in his filmmaking.

JESSICA LANGE, ACTRESS: He has such great energy and enthusiasm and a -- you know, an eccentric way of looking at things. I mean, there is nothing kind of ordinary about Tim.

CULPEPPER: But the native Californian, who makes his home in London, is like any other man in at least one regard. He's become a father recently with girlfriend and "Big Fish" co-star Helena Bonham Carter. It's a life-altering event even a guy like Burton can marvel at. BURTON: Nobody prepares you that it's the most surreal thing that can happen in life. And we're all the result of it. And yet that's why I'm always amazed by people that think things are strange. It's like, well, how come nobody's mentioned this? This is the strangest thing that could happen. So it's great.

CULPEPPER: Somehow, somewhere down the road, you just know Burton will be telling a "Big Fish" story to his own son. And wouldn't that make an interesting whopper of a tale?

For "Entertainment Weekly," I'm Andy Culpepper.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com