What is Auteur Theory?
Film theories have evolved over the past century to encompass a variety of different studies and roles in filmmaking. The earliest film theories were merely an argument as to the fact that film was in fact an art, worthy of further study beyond the basics, in academia. Later film studies would shift focus. With theories representing film as a basis for how our unconscious thoughts are created. And then, further focusing on simplistic patterns in film that give way to visual queues. You might be thinking, “What is auteur theory?” But do you know what it means?
What is Auteur Theory?
Auteur theory represents the argument that every film is merely the reflection of the director’s artistic vision. This theory essentially argues that each film a director creates has underlying visual queues.
They feature recognizable patterns or themes that make it consistent with the director’s artistic identity. Auteur theory further states that each director thus has an artistic identity that can be defined in the director’s filmography.
History of Auteur Theory
Auteur theory can date back to the French film journal which represented the French New Wave for directors. The French journal was said to have originated this film theory.
However, NYU professor Julian Cornell states that the auteur theory was actually around a bit prior to the journal’s release of this data. But had yet to be documented clearly.
According to the French New Wave, auteur theory represents the development of the notion that people develop in relation to a filmmaker and his or her artistic concepts.
The French New Wave, although not responsible for the origination of the auteur theory, is responsible for the popularization of the idea that each director has an underlying artistic key or queue that can be visualized in the various films that they create.
Applying this Theory
Think about some of your favorite directors over the years, or just some of the most widely respected. You’ve got Spielberg, Coppola, Tarantino, Scorsese, Kubrick, and Fincher as well as so many others.
Now think about their style. Can you find elements that carry forth in each of their films that are representative of their film style or auteur theory?
Auteur theory is especially noteworthy in the strong stylization of some directors. As well as in some of the most minute elements that carry out in the films directed by others.
In many cases, when a film was directed by one of the above individuals and you’re familiar with their auteur theory elements, you can view just a few frames of a film and you’ll know it was directed by that individual – pretty amazing, isn’t it?