Auteur Theory

Auteur Theory - James Cameron

We began looking at the Auteur Theory in lesson which is the Theory of a Director being the main creative force like an author of the film I decided to look at James Cameron's work to see if he could be a Auteur and Auteur usually has Recurring Themes, A unique Visual Style or Recurring Cast. 

Recurring Themes

Cameron's work has Recurring Themes and subtexts this usually includes one or more of the following:

Conflicts Between Humanity and Technology for example the Terminator Films and Avatar which is arguable considering its not between humanity and technology but instead an alien race and technology. Strong Female Characters for example Rose from Titanic and Ellen Ripley from Aliens finally some form of Romance subplot like Titanic and True Lies

Visual Styles

James Cameron doesn't have a Visual style per say but his work usually has the following:

Lots of special effects in most films Terminator, True Lies, Titanic, Aliens and Avatar all use lots of special effects. Massive build up to a dramatic scene's for example Titanic building up to the inevitable ship sinking scene and plays on your emotions using recurring sounds and songs including sad sounding violins. Avatar has the massive build up to the destruction of the home tree which has a massive period of silence as the tree falls building suspense.

Recurring Cast

The most Recurring Actor in James Cameron's work is Bill Paxton Who appears in The Terminator, Aliens, True Lies, Titanic and Ghosts of the Abyss. Arnold Schwarzenegger also appears in a Terminator and True Lies

Significant Body of Work

There is 16 Films currently released by Cameron which will all share a theme or cast member with at least one of his other films.


Auteur?

I would say that in some ways James Cameron is an Auteur but when watching a film there is nothing truly defining that would make you say "this is a James Cameron Film"