Assessment (Component 1A)

Assessment

This part of the exam will require you to discuss both films in the following areas:

The auteur and auteur theory
Institutional contexts of Hollywood cinema

The idea of the auteur as a critical approach derives from an earlier period of Film Studies when critics aimed to demonstrate that films are ‘authored’ by individuals, most obviously the film’s director, rather than being generic products. Today, the concept of the auteur can be applied to a film or group of films in order to identify and explain its distinctive characteristics, arguing that these derive from a principal creative individual (most commonly the director, but it may also include cinematographers, performers or institutions). You will be able to demonstrate the following:

how auteurs determine the look and style of a film in relation to the collaborative approach to film production within Hollywood cinema
how auteurs, through the imprint of their ‘signature’ features, can make a significant impact on a film’s messages and values.

The idea of the auteur - Hollywood 1930 – 1990

This idea of the auteur places filmmakers within the context of the Hollywood film institution in which they worked. You should consider:

to what extent it is possible to identify the distinctive contribution of creative individuals, most often directors, within a large industrial production process
how far it is appropriate to talk about these individuals as auteurs
how far it is more appropriate to consider filmmaking as a collaborative process.

Common Definitions:

• French term meaning ‘author’

• A film-maker, performer or studio with a visible and distinctive ‘signature’

• The principal creator of a film

• The principal source of meaning in a film

• A film-maker who makes films of artistic merit as opposed to those or commercial value

• A film-maker who makes films with an individual style

• A film-maker who makes films with similar themes

• A film-maker who adopts a ‘jack of all trades’ approach to film-making

Statements to debate:

'An auteur (French for author) is usually a director whose work is characterised by distinctive THEMES and STYLISTIC TRAITS visible across a number of films.'

'True auteurs stamp each work with their personality.'

'An auteur director is one who brings to film, signs of their own individuality - perhaps in the way narrative is constructed, the way certain themes are explored or within their visual style.'

'The auteur functions as the main creative force and controlling presence'.

'Other key personnel such as a films' star, a cinematographer or composer can also be described as auteurs if they bring a distinct contribution to a body of films'.

WHAT IS THE EXAMINER LOOKING FOR?

An example question for Component 1, Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 (comparative study):

Compare how far your chosen films reflect the auteur signature features of their filmmakers [40]

Although you are expected to discuss the auteur in terms of a film's director, any significant role (e.g. director, cinematographer, star, editor, composer or studio) is acceptable and will be assessed if included.
a discussion of an auteur signature in terms of stylistic and/or thematic
a recognition that some auteurs have a stronger signature than others with a corresponding focus on the degree to which both films reflect auteur signature features (which may form the basis of the comparison of the two films)
some consideration of the tension between a single auteur and the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Band 5 responses (see bands below) may consider factors constraining an auteur (such as the relationship with the producing institution or a conflict between two auteur styles, such as star and director).

Assessment Objectives

Another example question could be...

Compare how far your chosen films reflect their different production contexts. [40]

How you could answer this question...

For a question like this, you may discuss the production context in terms of the Hollywood studio system or in terms of production companies and their relationship to Hollywood as an institution. Either approach is acceptable.

You could include...

how key features of the films reflect their production contexts (e.g. stylistic features, the presence of stars, the nature of the narrative and production values)
a discussion of production contexts in terms of budget, institutional working practices, technological resources and possibly the target audience as defined by the institution
a recognition that production contexts are likely to have an impact on the nature of the narrative and its representations (which may form the basis of the comparison of the two films)
some consideration of the relationship between production context and the aims of the director.
Band 5 responses may consider how a film may reflect a director challenging production constraints or being given more freedom

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