Meeting the Mentor

I was meeting Tim Burton. I was 14 years old. This was the most exhilarating day of my life.

My dad and I went to MoMA and got to visit the Art of Tim Burton exhibit. Inside we saw puppets from all of his stop motion films, costumes, and his own art.

In his sketches, you learned so much about him. His sense of humor- dark and twisted. His background- he had been trained, but he took his own style to it. His ideas- a sketch turned that would later be turned into a film. And his inspiration- German Expressionism, but with his own flare.

He was my inspiration. I wanted to tell stories like him. Something original, filled with heart, and set in the world of my mind. He was my mentor. To this day, as a senior in college, he still is.

It was finally time. We got in line. I could see the book signing from afar. You couldn’t really see him while in line until you rounded the bend to his table.

There he was. Tim Burton. In the flesh. My mind was racing. I didn’t know what to say. Do I introduce myself? I had only been to one book signing prior with an artist who wasn’t as well known as the legend in front of me. What could I say that would make me stand out from the crowd and that hadn’t been already said before? I didn’t know what to do. I was getting closer and closer and oh crap I was next in line. I still don’t have a plan for what I want to say. It’s me. Oh my god I'm walking to him. My heart is in my throat. I give him my book. He’s RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. He says hello and smiles at me. He stretches his out his hand.

We shake hands.

He signs my book.

I really don’t remember if I said anything. In my mind, I think I remember saying thank you for all that you’ve done. But in reality, it’s all just a blur.

He gives the book back to me. He thanks me.

I may have said something, but I remember walking away with tears in my eyes.

My dad met him and thanked him too. After he got out of line, we called my mom. We told her how amazing the experience was. How nice he was.

I was in tears through all of this.

To end the day, we got to see Tim Burton open the showing of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.

Meeting Tim Burton was one of the best days of my life. Even though I don’t know him personally, I constantly learn from him.

Be yourself and tell your stories. Someone will always want to listen.