CONTEXTUAL STUDIES: Auteur Theory & Auteur Director Choice

The auteur theory was introduced in the late 1940's by 'New Wave' directors. It is the theory of filmmaking in which the director is viewed as the main creative force in a film. The theory was an outgrowth of the cinematic theories of Andre Bazin and Alexandre Astruc.

The auteur theory is different to the genre theory as auteur draws our attention towards what is different between film, rather than what is similar. Many media texts are meant to be considered as a product of individuals creativity and many are just 'products'. E.g. Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas is an auteur as you recognise his individual style of gothic tones. 

Tim Burton

(1)

I think that you can describe Tim Burton as an auteur because of his distinct style. Throughout all his films you can see that they follow the theme of being dark, gothic and very quirky, along with twists which are also dark and eerie.

                     

Burton uses the same actors and actresses such as Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. They are able to take on Burton's direction to who their characters are and how they behave, and portray his characters exactly the way he would like them to be. He also has the same musician, Danny Elfman, who has composed all but 5 of Burton's films. It can be seen that Burton usually bases his films around one main, unpredictable character. E.g. Sweeney Todd is a twitchy and quirky character, he is also strange to watch and his behaviour is usually erratic and unusual, similarly to his other main characters, such as Edward Scissorhands, Willy Wonka and the Mad Hatter from Alice In Wonderland. 

Sweeney Todd (2)

Willy Wonka (3)

Mise en scene is something Burton has full control with in his films, you can tell that he has his say in every single scene from the actors to the symbols which help tell the story and reach the audience. Burton uses the same camera techniques in his films such as the dutch angle/tilt. This technique is usually used for setting a dark mood - it is a strange angle which gets the audiences attention as they have to work out why they're looking at the action at this angle. It can also be used to show the feeling of imbalance or uneasiness. Burton uses this in the Corpse Bride to show the edgy and insecure feeling that Victor feels walking towards Emily while she is playing the piano. 

Flashbacks are a thing Burton likes to include in his films. E.g. in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Willy Wonka is always having flashbacks to his sugar-free childhood and in the Corpse Bride and Alice In Wonderland, Alice has flashbacks of her past in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter has them of his Wonderland war. These are all but a few of the many things which make Burton one of the best auteur directors. 

However, some people disagree and think that he lacks the meaning aspect in his work. From the use of the same actors and actresses to his consistent dark theme, as the audience we always know we are watching one of his films as he makes them his own, because of this he is a true auteur.  

(1) http://roalddahl.wikia.com/wiki/Tim_Burton
(2) http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/sweeney-todd-school-play-takes-realistic-too-far-leaving-two-boys-hospitalised-with-neck-cuts-a6972406.html
(3) http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-reasons-burtons-willy-wonka-actually-serial-killer/