How Directors Shape Meaning in Film
The collaborative nature of cinema exists as a fundamental characteristic of the medium; however, the director holds primary authority over the creation of cinematic meaning. According to auteur theory directors function as film "authors" who establish their personal artistic style which viewers can identify throughout their complete body of work. The visual and technical components of a work show its authorship most clearly. The filmmakers use cinematography and lighting and editing and sound to create specific emotional responses from viewers. Christopher Nolan used advanced editing techniques and multiple camera angles in Inception to create a depiction of how dreams exist in an unstable state. The story development of the film becomes more complex through this technique which enables viewers to experience the mental states of the characters. Directors use their film projects to examine identity and control and reality as their main thematic focus. Nolan uses Inception to...