Functions of the Auteur for Contemporary Hollywood and its Audiences

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Functions of the Auteur for Contemporary Hollywood and its Audiences
For a very long time in the film, the director has always been considered as the most important person. This view is credited to the fact that the audience tends to acknowledge the person who produces the final product of artistic work and who in this case is the director.
In most cases, films are perceived to represent the director’s personal view of the world since he/she plays a big role in developing the final product. Even though this is the case, there are those who still do not believe in this concept known as auterism. Therefore, this explains why there is an increased interest in theauteur in Hollywood and why it is necessary to look into the functions of the same both commercially and culturally. Generally, auterism has played a big role in redefining the movie industry especially Hollywood based on the type of movies produced and the significance placed on these films. Various changes in the industry, technological advancements and opportunities, and even marketing strategies have all played a role in bringing up this auterism. In effect, auteurs carry out different functions including maintaining control over audiences by making films accessible to all, making room for personalized narratives and helping address the needs of diverse audiences. Furthermore, technology is used by auteurs in the form of DVDs to bring about change in the film industry while giving audiences a chance to enjoy quality work through the competition by directors to be given the auteur status. These are only some of the roles of an auteur, and this paper will, therefore, largely focus on the functions of auteurs as far as the Hollywood industry and audiences are concerned.
In contemporary Hollywood, the auteur is used as a marketing tool for the industry. AsElsaesser(pg.283) points out that, in the modern age, “auteurs are notable less for a signature style than for a signature product.” By stating this, it shows that the Hollywood industry is more concerned about the auteurs’ ability to produce good work that is equally marketable than for those kinds of directors who identify with a certain style that is not so outstanding. Inarguably, the industry is interested in the type of directors that can give excellent work because that way, development is possible on the part of the industry. Lucas (famous for directing the Star Wars series), James Scott and Spielberg are good examples of directors whose works have largely impacted the industry. Considering the technological advancements and the rise of other competing industries, there has been an increased need for these auteurs to help in marketing Hollywood. Examples of these include technologies such as the emergence of YouTube videos and media platforms plus other movie industries like Bollywood that all present very strong competition for Hollywood. In this regard, having influential auteurs, therefore, helps to maintain the reputation of the industry because they market it through their exemplary works.
Closely related to being a marketing tool to promote the Hollywood industry, an auteur is the means by which the industry makes money. This is a...