Filmmaker Tim Burton. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"I'm very lucky, as I can dream when I am awake. I can see interesting things in a strange way," he says.

The whimsical side of the books he read in his childhood, such as those starring such ghouls Frankenstein and the Werewolf, has been another source for inspiration.

"When I was a child, I found monster films to be beautiful, emotional and poetic, although some people think they are horrific," he says

Beginning his career as an animator for Disney, Burton established his own style with the 1984 live-action short Frankenweenie.

Interestingly, he was fired by Disney as the animation giant regarded the tale as too dark and horrific for children.

But Burton has never stopped exploring.

Now he is seen as an iconic figure who has reinvented genre films in Hollywood over the past 30 years.

"Whether filming or doing something else, the most important thing for me is to create things," he says.

The 58-year-old director jokes that his secret has been to remain 13 years old mentally.

"Children always see things as new, as most things are new to them. It's important for us to look at things through a child's eyes," he explains.

Asked how he balances the studios' commercial demands and his pursuits, Burton says he's lucky that he can be himself.

Burton says he visited China once before, many years ago, and met some artists.

"I'm happy to be here again to experience the culture," he says.

"I've been very inspired."

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn