Fateh Khaled

*Auteur Theory

*Introduction*The term ‘Auteur’ is French for Author.

*The Auteur theory was introduced during the 1950’s.

*The theory was proposed by French directors like Francois Truffaut; he focused on particular aspects such as the contribution that directors made towards the style and form of a film.

*According to Francis Truffaut; “A true film auteur is someone who brings something genuinely  personal to his subject instead of producing a tasteful, accurate but lifeless rendering of the original material”

*In the simplest form, an Auteur is a film maker whose style is distinctive and recognisable to it’s consumers which ultimately creates a signature Auteur status.

*Truffaut expressed that directors should use mise-en-scene to imprint their vision of their work; an Auteur can also use staging, setting, lighting and editing to add to their vision.

*However this has been heavily criticised by Aljean Hermetz who argued that the Auteur theory “collapses against the reality of the system "suggesting that realistically a lot of these features are not available in most studios.

*Key Information

*Additional Information*According to Truffaut “there are no good and

bad movies, only good and bad directors”

*After Truffaut introduced the Auteur theory, it was further developed by American film director Andrew Sarris; he developed it through ‘The Village Voice’ and it had originated from his essay ‘Notes on the Auteur Theory’.

*Sarris used Auteur theory as a way to analyse what is actually define as a director through the study of respected directors.

*Emphasis on collaborative work*In the Auteur theory, there is great emphasis on

group work (collaborative work).

*For example, making a music video; the director is considered as Auteur, however the task cannot be accomplished independently.

*So instead, they team up with actors, writers, cinematographers etc, but the Auteur is still considered as the leader who controls everyone and others will take an Auteur’s order.

*An Auteur would place a distinctive visual style which would be easily recognised by the audience.

*HYPE WILLIAMS – CASE STUDY

*An Example – Hype Williams*Harold ‘HYPE’ Williams is a key example of an

Auteur in terms of music videos.

*Hype is an American film and video director who has worked with many famous artists such as Kayne West, Wu Tang Clan and even Missy Elliot!

*He launched his company on 1993 and created his first major music video in 1994 for Wu Tang Clan’s “Can it be all so simple”

*Within only a few years, Williams became an award-winning director with multiple awards MTV, (best rap video 1998) and NAACP (image award 1997).

*Distinctive Styles*One of the key features of an Auteur is to have a

distinctive style which is recognised by its consumers.

*Williams did this and had particular noticeable features within his music videos:

*For example coloured banners were used significantly instead of the conventional black letterbox (black banners seen in most music videos - 16:9 aspect ratio)

*Use of fisheye lens*Williams used fisheye lens quite frequently in his

music videos, fisheye lens is a type of camera lens which has ultra wide lens.

*The name fisheye derives from American Physicist and inventor Robert W. Wood and based it on how a fish would see (hence the name).

*R&B and Hip Hop themes*Williams also reinforced the R&B/Hip Hop culture

through his work, some key conventions of the Hip Hop Culture was rich cars and money!, not oDollar

Sign (Money)

Fast cars = Money and wealth

*His name on music videos (watermark)

*Like film directors, Williams puts his name on each of his music videos. This is like a personal watermark, so the audience can familiarise with his work.