Consider the significance of t
Consider the significance of the auteur theory to the development of film theory and film culture. Is it still a relevant concept?In this essay, I shall endeavor to outline the beginnings of the auteur theory, and show the arguments that support and oppose the relevance of the auteur theory in modern film. It is my opinion that it is still relevant, though ultimately only to the individual. That is; the theory may be more relevant to a follower of the industry, and in particular a follower of a certain director, than to a person who takes a film at face value and has no interest in its connection with past works. There are a number of arguments both favouring, and against this theory, which I will look further into. I will concentrate on the work of Steven Spielberg, showing the influences through his work and the relevance they have with regard to auteur theory.Arising in France in the late 1940s, the auteur theory was the production of the cinematic theories of Andre Bazin and Alexandre Astruc. The theory of 'director as author' was first put forward in Bazin's periodical Cahiers du cinema, (founded in 1951). Two of its theoreticians, Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard, later became major directors of the French
The auteur is, by definition, a director who incorporates his personal style into his work, and shows various aspects in his/her films throughout his/her career. One such case is the work of Howard Hawkes. His first film was a television movie, the highly acclaimed Duel (1971), a suspense film about a motorist being terrorised by a truck. Brode, Douglas, The Films of Steven Spielberg, Citadel Press, 1995. This abundance of material, in my opinion, has lead to the devaluation of film as an art form, instead making film another everyday source of entertainment, which is subject to floods of bad quality that reduces the overall image. However the coming of sound in 1927, and the establishment of the Hollywood Studio System in the 1930s, gave way to the idea of cinema as entertainment, and producers and stars became more important in the marketing process than directors. Everyone will have their own personal opinion on this matter of auteurism, but taking Spielberg as an example, I feel it is a relevant concept today, as it can be seen in a number of modern director's work. Unknown Author, The Steven Spielberg Directory, http://www. com/Hollywood/Academy/9128/, accessed 02/12/2000. He constantly produced his films, showing conflict of shots, which could be further seen in all his works and recognized as being his style of film making. The creative source of the film was then taken to be the writer of the original work rather than the director.
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Acceptance Essays
