French film fans noticed after World War 2 that directors often had consistent styles, techniques, and themes across their films. They developed the theory of "auteur theory" which considers directors who exhibit a distinctive and consistent visual or thematic style across multiple films as the authors of those films, similar to how authors are considered the authors of books. Famous directors considered auteurs include Akira Kurosawa, Michael Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and Steven Spielberg. J.J. Abrams is also considered an auteur for his identifiable and mysterious sci-fi style seen across films like Mission Impossible 3, Star Trek, and Super 8.

1. Auteur Theory
- After World War 2, years’ worth of films made it to France.
- Film fans watched films by the samedirector in quick succession and started
to notice patterns in the techniques used/storytelling.
- The film fans theorised the director of a film could be considered an author of
a film.
- An “Auteur” film director could be considered an author if they have similar:
o Themes
o Technical construction
o Dialogue/scripting
o Actors
- They will have an identifiable style, however many directors who have an
identifiable style may not be considered Auteur.
- Famous Auteurs: Akira Kurosawa/MichaelScorsese/Alfred Hitchcock/
Stanley Kubrick/Steven Spielberg
J.J. ABRAMS (started on TV – developed his style – known for mysterious sci-fi)
- Identifiable style
- Mission Impossible3/Star Trek? Super 8
- Mystery Box - Deliberately introducing mystery into the narrativeearly on –
hooks the audience earlier on.