Auteur
Ryan Henderson
ENGL 375
April 8, 2014
Professor Richard
Homework
Francois Truffaut wrote an essay titled “A Certain Tendency in French Cinema.” In this piece of work, Truffaut claimed that film is a great means for expressing the personal ideas of the director. He believed that this meant that the director should be regarded to as an auteur. Auteur Theory refers to the reflection of the director’s personal creative vision and style. “Auteur” is a French word for “author.”
Auteur Theory suggests that a director can use the commercial equipment of filmmaking in the same way that an artist uses a paintbrush to paint. Auteur Theory is an avenue for the personal artistic expression of the director. The film theoretician, André Bazin, explained that, “Auteur theory is a way of choosing the personal factor in artistic creation as a standard of reference, and then assuming that it continues and even progresses from one film to the next.”
The style of art and personal expression of an auteur distinguishes them from other directors. An auteur makes their work stand out and special, like a piece of art, such as a painting. An auteur takes their time on a film and nurtures the film, like a mother to an infant.
For example, the director that I believe qualify as auteur is Orson Welles. Orson Welles meets the definition I have provided because as a director he was able to effectively express personal ideas. The film “Citizen Kane” marked the first time the technique “Deep Focus” was used extensively and effectively. In this film Orson Welles was able to express his vision and apply the deep focus technique effectively.
Another director who I qualify as an auteur is Spike Lee. Through Spike’s Lee film “Do the Right Thing” his work was able to stand out not only to critics but also to the public eye. The elements of the film allow the audience to experience visiting Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, on the hottest day of the year. The moment the film comes on,
ENGL 375
April 8, 2014
Professor Richard
Homework
Francois Truffaut wrote an essay titled “A Certain Tendency in French Cinema.” In this piece of work, Truffaut claimed that film is a great means for expressing the personal ideas of the director. He believed that this meant that the director should be regarded to as an auteur. Auteur Theory refers to the reflection of the director’s personal creative vision and style. “Auteur” is a French word for “author.”
Auteur Theory suggests that a director can use the commercial equipment of filmmaking in the same way that an artist uses a paintbrush to paint. Auteur Theory is an avenue for the personal artistic expression of the director. The film theoretician, André Bazin, explained that, “Auteur theory is a way of choosing the personal factor in artistic creation as a standard of reference, and then assuming that it continues and even progresses from one film to the next.”
The style of art and personal expression of an auteur distinguishes them from other directors. An auteur makes their work stand out and special, like a piece of art, such as a painting. An auteur takes their time on a film and nurtures the film, like a mother to an infant.
For example, the director that I believe qualify as auteur is Orson Welles. Orson Welles meets the definition I have provided because as a director he was able to effectively express personal ideas. The film “Citizen Kane” marked the first time the technique “Deep Focus” was used extensively and effectively. In this film Orson Welles was able to express his vision and apply the deep focus technique effectively.
Another director who I qualify as an auteur is Spike Lee. Through Spike’s Lee film “Do the Right Thing” his work was able to stand out not only to critics but also to the public eye. The elements of the film allow the audience to experience visiting Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, on the hottest day of the year. The moment the film comes on,