David Wharton – författare

Combining the creative perspectives of filmmakers with more analytic academic methods, this study invites film students to take an active approach in learning to understand how audiovisual language is used to create meaning in films. While the main focus is on the concept of film language, case study readings of The Warrior (2002) and Traffic (2001) place these films in their institutional contexts to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of how meaning is created. This study gives particular emphasis to understanding cinemaphotography, editing, music, and setting. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own responses and develop reading skills through a range of online classroom activities that demonstrate how audience interaction works to create meaning in film. Technical terms and techniques are explained in an extensive glossary and in special explanatory sections illustrated by a range of films.

Auteur study is a key element of Film Studies, and has become increasingly important in Media Studies, thanks to the popularity of cult auteurs such as Tarantino and Fincher. However, this theoretical aspect of film can seem obscure and difficult to communicate. Teaching Auteur Study provides a coherent and clear approach to the topic. Using examples throughout, the guide outlines the main elements of Auteur theory, provides an overview of how it developed, summarising some of its main proponents, and considers the influence it has had in the way we think about film. It summarises the criteria for defining a filmmaker as an auteur and explores issues of creative control. The guide also looks at the idea of film authorship from the point of view of the audience, and how it influences audience expectations and marketing campaigns.