Auteur Theory

Auteur Theory suggests that particular directors who control all aspects of production, and abide by their own style, produce film that is recognisable as theirs by the audience. This theory explores the concept of three concentric circles, consisting of the ‘auteur’, ‘stylist’ and ‘technician’. On the outer ring is the ‘technician’, this includes technical features that are congruent throughout the Auteur’s productions- including camera angles and editing. The second is the ‘stylist’; this entails the personal design of the film, such as costumes and action. Finally, the centre is the ‘auteur’- the interior meaning, perhaps presenting women as vulnerable or an inevitable happy ending.

For example, Michel Gondry has a consistent style which flows through each music video he produces. Gondry has worked with artists such as Paul McCartney and Kylie Minogue. Throughout these, and his other videos:

· Ingenious technical attributes are used

  The screen is cut into three frames, displaying skill in editing.

  Madonna falls back and transforms into an array of crows, also presenting difficult technical effects.

· Repetition is used

The actresses are all dressed the same so to give the impression of the woman being repeated in the shot.

 This shot has been edited so that are three Madonnas are present on the screen.

· A single long shot is used, rather than multiple short cuts

· There is a requirement for the audience to watch the entire music video to understand the concept and full narrative

I have used screenshots of the music video for the ‘Chemical Brothers’ single ‘Let Forever Be’, as well as from the music video for ‘Frozen’ sung by ‘Madonna’, as both of these videos were produced by Michel Gondry and display the features I have listed which consider him as an auteur. As well, the music videos are below as watching them through it is clear that few cuts are used instead of many, as well it is apparent that to fully grasp the concept of the music video you must watch it to the end.

However, as I have no prior music videos to continue aspects through into the one I shall my producing for this project, I shall not stray too far from the expectations of an Indie music video so to stamp my mark on the video. This is because with no other video comparisons the audience would not recognise this music video as one produced by Elli Smart.