This week we looked at ‘auteurs’, a descriptor developed by critics within the study of cinema. We learnt the history of the term, and how it considers the wider range of people involved in the production process when critiquing cinema rather than one singular member. However it can still be reduced to a small part of the production process, or even a single person who pushes and ties together the specific theme(s). On the other end of the scale, we could argue huge entities such as Disney are auteurs.
I would argue that Walt Disney himself was an auteur because of his attention to detail and desire to ensure every part of the production process met his standards. I found this blog post by Barry L. Linetsky, which spoke of some interesting insight into how much Disney oversaw and managed each creative decision on his films, ensuring they were the creative, magical artforms that are still beloved to this day. While the blog post also notes he withdrew from his on the floor approach to management in later years, I would also argue by then his vision had been poured so deeply into the foundations of the Disney company that, even with a more hands off approach, his earlier efforts meant his vision was still being meticulously crafted to his intentions. And therefore, I would also argue that even after Walt Disney’s death, the corporation still carries that intention.