A Question of Authorship: Auteur Theory

A Question of Authorship: Auteur Theory • Who speaks? Who is the author? Who controls what the text (movie) "says"? • In film (especially in American movies) this is often difficult to establish • Commercial model of moviemaking • Many “cooks”—Read those end credits • Remakes/Sequels/Prequels/Adaptations • Etc.???

Auteur Theory Andre Bazin l. Auteurtheory developed by French writers in Andre Bazin's journal, Cahiers du Cinema during the 1950's (other theories--realism, genre theory)

Auteur Theory • 2. An auteur is noted to have a distinctive style and preoccupations--themes, visual & production styles, ways of handling scenes, etc. . . . recurring motifs • NOTE: • Iconography = widely understood cultural symbols vs. • Motif = recurring theme in a single film (or a set of films by same auteur)

Check out the black leather jacket • NOTE: • Iconography = widely understood cultural symbols vs. • Motif = recurring theme in a single film (or a set of films by same auteur)

Strangers on a Train • NOTE: • Iconography = widely understood cultural symbols vs. • Motif = recurring theme in a single film (or a set of films by same auteur)

Auteur Theory • 3. Is an auteur always a director? • Auteur = director? • Auteur = star? • Auteur = screenwriter?

Auteur Theory 4. "Film-style" shooting gives the auteur artistic power

Auteur Theory • 5. Can we identify an auteur empirically? • (Patrika Janstova, 2007 masters thesis, Cleveland State—the case of Jane Campion (The Piano, In the Cut) • Content analysis of all 6 Jane Campion-directed films as of 2007 plus a matched sample of 18 “non-Campion” films (random sample of films matched on genre (drama), years, English language) • Measured 56 form (techniques) and 113 substance (themes and character quality) variables

Auteur Theory Campion films significantly: Fewer male leads More female and male nudity More sex (esp. oral sex and kissing) More often using female POV More physical and sexual abuse to opposite gender More identity change due to marriage, religion More instances of psychological disorder More characters traveling, living abroad, appearing lonely, Less non-diegetic music More closeups of face, hands, feet, arms, legs, touching More shots of mirrors, windows More slow motion More hand-held camera More use of color filters (red, blue) Greater presence of angels

Auteur Theory • Tempering Auteur Theory with Reception Theory • Assuming an active audience • “The text proposes, the viewer disposes.”

Let’s watch a portion of Hitchcock: The Man and His Movies (1975, D: Richard Schickel)

Alfred Hitchcock as Auteur • Common Thematic Motifs • falsely accused man • "The villain doesn't kick the dog - - he's a charmer.“ • aloof blonde woman (e.g., Grace Kelly, TippiHedren, Eva Marie Saint) . . . sexual fire beneath a cool exterior • malevolent crowd • ironic use of religious symbols • use of some important cultural artifact (a "safe" place) at the narrative climax (e.g., Albert Hall, Mt. Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, a train, a merry-go-round) • "Film is life with the dull parts cut out.“ • Carefully planned mise-en-scene (memorized his storyboards) • Hitch's own cameo appearances--a gimmick • Key production techniques . . . e.g., high-angle shots, canted camera angles, CUs, tracking shots • Bomb theory of suspense • Hitch's own fears & phobias • MacGuffin theory of dramatic foils

Let’s watch a portion of Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (1985, D: Kevin Brownlow)

Buster Keaton as Auteur • Common Thematic Motifs • The Keaton character - - stone-faced, he is considered a brainless idiot, & is kicked around (literally!) by others. . . but in all things perseveres & prevails. • The plot - - a young man courts a woman whose social position is more respectable than his own. Through ingenuity, & feats of daring & imagination, he wins her. (NOTE: Keaton did all his own stunts.) • Keaton's adversaries: machines & nature • Usual shot is LS, to show relation of man to natur

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A Question of Authorship: Auteur Theory