Directors, Writers, and Auteurs

Film is relatively new medium. It was silent until 1927, and black and white until 1939. As a result of only recently entering into its adolescence as a genre, it is possible to argue that it has only recently become possible for a filmmaker to be a true master of the the medium.

These  masters, who seek to exert creative control over as much of the filmmaking process as possible are called “Auteurs” the French word for “author.” The idea is that  some filmmakers have such involvement in the process, including writing, directing, producing, and even perhaps editing or designing sets, that they are the ultimate cause for the final effect of the film.

Autuer theory has its roots in early french film criticism, mostly surrounding the work of an early film pioneer named, Jean Renoir. His film Le Grande Illusion, was the first foreign language film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. In the wake of Renoir, other virtuoso filmmakers began to be referred to as Auteurs, including Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, and Alfred Hitchcock. As the technology of filmmaking developed, the stories and images of films became more ambitious. Filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppola, and Woody Allen began to develop the medium.

By the 2000’s there were literally dozens of filmmakers who were considered to have a distinct enough voice, or trade mark look, to be referred to as “Autuer.” Among them were many of the most popular directors of today: Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Terry Gilliam, The Coen Brothers, Wes Anderson, Harmony Korine Clint Eastwood, and countless others.

However, while many critics use the term autuer as a form of praise, it is usually reserved for the director. In fact in the French criticism community in which it came to prominence, some critics even argued that the director was without question the single most important member of a production team, surpassing the rest of the crew and even the screenwriter. So the question has remained, can a screenwriter be an autuer? In some cases like P.T. Anderson, Tarantino, and Woody Allen, the screenwriter and the directory are one and the same. It is much more difficult to point to a screenwriter who does not direct that has a sufficiently distinct voice to be recognizable regardless of production, or studio interference. So the question remains, can a screenwriter be an Auteur?

These films were all written by their director as well. 

The Godfather – Francis Ford Coppola

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou – Wes Anderson

Mulholland Drive – David Lynch

The Dictator – Charlie Chaplain

La Grande Illusion – Jean Renoir

2001: A Space Odyssey – Stanley Kubrick

Annie Hall – Woody Allen

Pulp Fiction – Quentin Tarantino

Punch Drunk Love – Paul Thomas Anderson

2001: A Space Odyssey

2001 A Space Odyssey poster thumbnail
Year:1968
Director:Stanley Kubrick
Written by:Stanley Kubrick (Screenplay), Arthur C. Clarke (Novel), Arthur C. Clarke (Screenplay)

Script Synopsis:Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.
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Top 5 Space Film Scripts

Films set in outer space, dealing with extra terrestrial elements and man’s quest for the search of life elsewhere in the universe have been a constant source of fascination for the audience and revenue for Hollywood. These movies, through years, have captured all the fears, hopes, struggle as well as the technological advancement of mankind to perpetuate the space quest. Although before 60s, space film did exist in one form or other, it was really after man set food on Moon that the production of space movies accelerated. While many of them severely lacked imagination and were not much appreciated critically, some of the films contained all the essential elements of art and human imagination.

Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey came out in 1968 and it was one of the most debated about films of the year. The explored such themes as the origins of humanity and the technological advancements of mankind. This and other similar films then set in outer space continued the capture the avid attention of the viewers throughout the world. With the advancement of technology, the special effects being utilized in space films have also increased considerably and they continue to improve.

Following are the scripts of 5 of the best space films from Hollywood:
2001: A Space Odyssey Script (1968)
Armageddon Script (1998)
Alien Script (1979)
Star Wars IV: A New Hope Script (1977)
Apollo 13 Script (1995)

 



Stanley Kubrick Movie Scripts

With a stunning filmography of some of the most iconic films ever made, legendary writer-director Stanley Kubrick requires little to no introduction. From his doomsday black comedy Dr. Strangelove (1964) to his sexual suspense thriller Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Kubrick has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.

Browse through his scriptwriting filmography yourself with this complete collection of Stanley Kubrick scripts:

1.  Eyes Wide Shut Script (1999)
2.  Full Metal Jacket Script (1987)
3.  The Shining Script (1980)
4. Barry Lyndon Script (1975)
5.  A Clockwork Orange Script (1971)
6.  2001: A Space Odyssey Script (1968)
7.  Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Script (1964)
8.  Lolita Script (1962)
9.  Spartacus Script (Dialogue Transcript) (1960)
10. Paths of Glory Script (Dialogue Transcript) (1957)
11. The Killing Script (Dialogue Transcript) (1956)
12. The Killer’s Kiss (Dialogue Transcript) (1955)