Auteur Theory

1. Auteur Theory

3. French Auteur Theory These critics defined themselves against making films based on film scripts written by literary figures. The tradition of quality advocated a conservative style of film making but the new French directors focused on style instead of script. They admired directors such as Hitchcock and Welles who worked against the scripts imposed on them by the studios.

4. Hollywood Auteurs An auteur in the Hollywood studio system is a director who transcends the script by imposing their own style and vision. An auteur film involves personalized film making, rather than the mechanical transposition of a script on to film, mainly through mise-en-scene. The director does not need to subvert the script to make a personal statement, but can intensify the script to create meaning.

5. Auteur � developed Nowadays auteur are not exclusively directors but can include script writers, stars and producers. They should manifest a consistency of style and them across their films Even a particular studio or production team can constitute a �collective auteur�

6. Famous Auteurs- Hitchcock One undisputed auteur for all auteur critics would be London born director Alfred Hitchcock. Certain themes are found in his films: Shared guilt Influence of Catholicism Homophobia and misogyny There are also regular narrative techniques: investigation of a murder Mistaken identity Suspense The perfect murder There are also elements of stylistic unity Emphasis on editing and montage High number of POV shots Shooting in confined spaces

7. Famous Auteurs � Wim Wenders German film maker Wim Wenders is an auteur of the New German Cinema Main themes in his films include: The influence of North American culture Road movies Male bonding The impossibility of male-female bonding Main stylistic elements include: An emphasis on the image rather than narrative An avoidance of action and drama in favour of observation

8. Contemporary Contemporary Hollywood Directors are marketed as auteurs, with their own brand image Their name can gain pre-production deals and be used in distribution and marketing of films Defining film by auteurs is, in some ways, the opposite to defining films by genre

9. Your Project The purpose of the auteur project is to develop your research and critical skills The research should be motivated by a problematic or proposal. Reference should be made to at least three films There are two parts to the project: A catalogue, commentary and evaluation 1,000 words - 30 marks A presentation script outline � 1,000 words � 20 marks