How To Become A Film Critic

Sometimes you happen to have some luck.  During the Durban International Film Festival 2013 I happened to sit in on a session with well known South African Film Critic Leon van Nierop.

He had some free time and decided to share his knowledge with the small group of writers who wanted to know all about being a film critic.

These were some of the tips he shared with us:

• Always remember the Director is trying to share something with you
• Don't tell the story, only write about 2 or 3 lines about it.
• A review should open the film up for debate and analysis.
• I never read reviews because it influences you.
• Never go into a cinema with preconceived ideas.
• The style of the film is so important
• A good film critic cannot be bought
• Be honest
• A good camera interprets
• You are working with peoples lives
• Your review must be eloquent and entertaining
• A review must be accessible
• Ask your audience 'What do you think?'  
• Make up your own mind about the film.
• What was the film trying to say?
• Does the director give you insight into the character's soul?
• Is the camera a character?
• Ask 'Why has a camera been placed there?' 
• Look at the music, how is it used?
• Look at the lighting, how is it used?
• Do they all work if so why?
• Do they all fail if so why?
• Watch lots of movies.
• Does the film communicate with me?
• Does it motivate me?  
• Does it entertain me?
• Know about the history of a film eg Superman
• Know the history of a genre
• Talk about the film afterwards with your friends

For those of you that were there it was a wonderful session.

What tips do you have to share on being a film critic? 

Article by +Fred Felton 

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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.