The Auteur is usually a director who characterises and influences their film, having creative control and 'leaving their mark' on it. An Auteur is seen to start conventions - and not follow them, whilst, due to their technical confidence and use of film language creating a unique style, usually tackling deeper issues and meanings than the ones initially perceived.
This Lecture mainly focused on 'the Auteur' Alfred Hitchcock, and his long career (directing more than fifty films in sixty years). Described as 'The Master of Suspense', Hitchcock has been incredibly influential in film, especially to psychological thrillers and slashers, having said:
'There is no terror in the bang of the gun, only the anticipation of it'.
His work is not art-house and attracts mainstream audiences, illustrating that cinema can involve innovative styles and framing whilst also attracting attention.
His mastery of suspense and causing the mundane to seem macabre has even created the phrase having a 'Hitchcock Mindset'. By using a clever use of montage and cuttings he creates tension even in quite 'normal' settings, leaving the audience in anticipation. This is illustrated in his famous 'Shower sequence' in the film 'Psycho'. Hitchcock also made effective use of techniques and equipment to enhance his story-tellings, for example by using the Dolly Zoom in his film 'Vertigo'.
However, the concept of a film being influenced by an 'Auteur' usually causes the roles of other members of the film crew to be overlooked. For example having a good storyboard artist could be a 'making' point of the film, yet credit would be given to the Auteur despite the fact they can never fully be in control of all aspects of the film, for example a good Actor may influence the actions of their character.
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