FIST 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Auteur Theory, Alexandre Astruc, Studio System
Document Summary
General principles: thinking of the director as the creator/central figure of the film. Explores issues of creative control & individualist vision of the director. Seeks to align film with other media. Challenges the idea that the studio is a factory: studio systems can produce art/artists as well. Many film directors considered auteurs also write their own screenplays this lends them an authorial edge: often work with the same cast and crew (ie. wes andersen, martin scorsese) Transcend genre/subject matter (themes not necessarily bound to genre) Cahiers du cin ma (1951) director is the primary author of a film. Paying respects to others" work/influences, using similar aesthetics, themes, styles, etc. But homage can be different to distinguish from the original work. Middle ground (vs. andrew sarrow) see article on authorship via connect. The auteur position can be employed as a principle of analysis instead of as a source of critical evaluation . Director"s persona and marketing (tools); name becomes a brand.
