New Hollywood

New Hollywood ran from 1961 to 1990. Well known directors include Steven Spielberg, who directed films like 'ET', the Indiana Jones movies, 'Jurassic Park' and 'Close Encounters'. Spielberg also directed one of the most famous films of the 70s - 'Jaws' that was released in 1975 and was the first major film released by him. The film was based on the novel by Peter Benchley and was a huge global hit but the budget for the movie wasn't high and Spielberg struggled to make the shark model (nicknamed 'Bruce') work on camera. 

George Lucas was a producer during the New Hollywood era and produced films like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', 'Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull' and directed the original Star Wars movie as well as The Phantom Menace. He also produced films in the series. Films shifted to high budget productions but films like 'Star Wars' were surprise hits but worked by targeting the teenage demographic as they can relate to the coming of age and the films being about trying to find acceptance in their life.

In New Hollywood, there was a new method used that accepted characters who were not traditionally motivated and a new European style of editing was used. Roger Corman who was a producer at this time is known as one of the most respected in cinema for his many successes. He directed over 50 films and produced over 300 films. He is known for his low budget film pictures which he produced  rapidly with 9 films being released a year including 'the little shop of horrors' which only took 2 days and 1 night to film.

Another popular director at the time was Francis Ford Coppola who is considered one of the greatest filmmakers. He directed the Godfather films and in 1979 brought out 'Apocalypse Now' which is famous for its lengthy production time as it took four years to make. The movie is centred around the Vietnam war. Some critics said that Coppola sensationalised the violence and glorified it. Other critics saw the film as expressing the horrors witnessed in a war that only left victims and losers with no winners. The aftereffects of war on servicemen was shown in films such as First Blood with Sylvester Stallone as a 'Vietnam Vet' encountering small town hostility and the rage he felt back towards these people and that turned to violence (he suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the horrors of war). Coppola in Apocalypse Now provided violent outbreaks on screen too which corresponded with social outbursts at the time from anti-war campaigners.

In 1993 Coppola's use of violence became less real life when he brought out 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' which was based on the novel by Stoker and was a close adaptation of the book. In his films, the families he portrays come in all shapes and sizes and have conflict, love and loyalty as being important - like the Corleone family in 'The Godfather'. This is due to his fascination with family structure and how they can be different. Another auteur signature of his is the protagonist who is usually a man in his films who goes on a journey of discovery and by the end, comes to terms with himself and is more mature and his character more developed.