Tips on How to be a Film Critic by Film Critics heard at @DIFFest

Over the weekend I sat in on a @DIFFest workshop by Film Critics talking about what it takes to
be a Film Critic and a good writer.

Here are some of the tips they shared:

• If you see a film and you say 'I hate it!' or 'I love it!' you are criticising the film.
• The Film Critic is a Bridge between the Filmmakers and the audience.
• Read as much as you can
• Read other film critics
• Read your own reviews 
• Do they make sense?
• Watch the movies that were made 30 years before you were born
• Watch it with the audience
• Get the spelling of the Cast and Crew correct, especially the Director.
• Pay attention to every detail
• Show your piece to someone for advice if it is good or not.
• Check if the Film is having it's World Premiere, find out before you state that.
• Check the dates are correct
• Have fact checkers if you can or do it yourself
• Read widely
• If you are starting out try writing a blog at first of film reviews
• Print out what you have written and read it sometimes you can pick up errors that way
• Try to think in sentences
• Look at something interesting in the film, look for a specific angle, talk about that
• If you feel it's a good film, ask why, substantiate it
• Look at your gut emotional response to a film
• What is the film's director trying to say?  Why is he doing this and not that?
• Does the movie need to be made?
• Was the movie made with passion by the Director?

The panel was facilitated by Nashen Moodley (Aus / SA) and included among others 

David Stratton (Aus) ,  Telesphore Mba Bizo (Cameroon) , Theresa Smith (Independent Newspapers SA) and Peter Machen (SA) 

Article written by Fred Felton find him on Twitter - @fredfelton 

Are you a Film Critic or Writer?  What tips do you have?  Leave a comment and let us know.