Becoming a great Film Critic

Here are some tips in become a great film critic.

1. Enroll in a college that is known for their school of Journalism or broadcasting, making it easier to get a job in the long run.

2. Set up informal interviews with future employers to see what their standards are for the film critic.

3. Gain experience by writing reviews for plays, concerts, and shows for your college newspaper or radio show. You will gain great experiences and polish your skills for the future.

4. Take courses about the Entertainment Industry. You will need some knowledge about the history of the industry to make your writing more effective.

5. Become familiar with all sorts of art. Your future employer might want you to write about things that are not part of your expertise.

6. Obtain an internship with newspapers or stations during college. This will help you get a entry level job following graduation.

7. Consider working for a freelance critic to gain experience for your resume.

Want to be in the Film Industry.

For those of you interested in getting into film, her is a few tips into making it a little easier for yourself.

1. Movie to LA or anywhere that movies are made quite often. You wont be able to get a film job (unless you're really lucky) in a small town in Pennsylvania.

2. Decide what area of film you want to work in. If you're not specific, then you might end up as the re-recording mixer and not the script writer you wanted to be. So, if you get the chance to get into the film industry, tell them, right away, what part of film you want to be a part of.

3. Meet people that work in Film. Go to parties, screenings, film festivals...etc. This is important to get your name out on the market so people can start hiring you.

4. If you would like to do production work look into journals such as the Hollywood Reporter production breakdown. This will tell you what independent films will need production assistants. This can get you acquainted with people all over the industry.

5. If you are in college, look for internships in major studios or independent production companies. Make sure you get to know the people you are working with, this will also help you get great connections.

6. Once you have got the job in the industry make sure you work hard and make everyone know that you want to be there. This will help in becoming popular with other productions in the future.

Observe and Report.

A couple weeks ago I decided to spend my Friday night out with friends instead of working. So, we treated ourselves to the new Seth Rogan film "Observe and Report." I was excited for this film, considering I've been satisfied with other Seth Rogan films. But, the first couple of scenes started off with some naked man flashing women in the parking lot and Seth Rogan cursing... a lot. Usually I think cursing is funny coming out of Rogan's mouth but not in this movie, it was a little too much and went a little too far. However, I did enjoy the story line (if you break it up in peaces and put it back together in a better more structured way). It had a dark side to it; a man with mental issues who was struggling through that as well as keeping mall security at top notch. But, unfortunately, that was ruined with a whole bunch of drug use, lots of blood, terrible comedy, and slutty girls. And my dreams were haunted because of the five minutes of a man running completely nude...Not fun.


Rating: 2

The problem with the review.

In recent posts I've been using the article from Stanford University. Because it is an informative essay about the movie reviewer, I will use it again for the last and final time. One of the biggest problems of the movie reviewer are the different ways of seeing a film and for reviewers to become authoritarian in their writing. Reviewers see over 100 more films then their readers do a year, which creates the way the reviewer responds to the film. The reviewer sees technical problems in film, as well as seeing the technical improvements in films. They see the small things that most viewers don't see (like the general public don't recognize as often as the reviewer does). Such as when a person has a different hair style one second and then the next second looks completely different. Of course this information is useful to the reader and essentially enlightens the audience but it also helps in the reviewer becoming cocky over their work and looking down on their readers. This leads to the authoritarian writing in their reviews. At some points reviewers start to become self-important in the writing, and the begin to tell the reader how to think and this generally makes the reader feel insulted. So, when writing a review, make the reader enjoy your writing by sharing your opinion but not in the "if you don't listen to this review, you are not worth liking movies," way.

Sundance Film Festival

One of the biggest independent film festivals in the U.S. is the Sundance Film Festival. The festival is shown in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and the Sundance resort in Utah. It originally started in 1978 in Park City, Utah in efforts to attract more filmmakers to Utah. Back then it was mainly for independent filmmakers to make a name in the Independent film making world. But now, because of its popularity, it has become a big film festival for all sorts of celebrities. At the most recent Sundance there are some movies that are more popular and others that were mostly independent (a list of movies that won). Although the prices to go to this festival ranges from $325 to $195, the festival does have some great reviews and if you're willing to spend money, you will have the great privilege to see some great works.

The Film review...again!

According to the article from Stanford University that I mentioned a couple posts ago, Film reviewing is a form of "consumer reporting,"(what the movie's about), a account about how good the movie was, a teaching opportunity ( how is this an example of a drama, comedy, thriller…etc.), and a form of entertainment. So, ideally, the review is essentially something that enlightens, entertains, and answers whether you should see the movie or not. But each (as was stated in many of my blogs) can be objective or subjective. The “consumer reporting” aspect of the review is mainly objective because you are only telling the reader about the film. The account about the movie (if it was good or not) can usually be very opinionated, which, in some cases, is to be expected. People have their own preferences about certain things in life, and if something isn’t good, I’m sure you’ll hear about it. The teaching portion of a review can either be objective or subjective. As you know, there are good teachers and bad teachers, and if the movie isn’t portraying what it really should be, then the teaching is obviously off.

But, if the writing is good in a review it is pleasant to read and because film reviewing is the least formal out of all journalistic writing, subjectivity is much appreciated.

You want to be in the Movies?

Throughout the semester I've been researching websites that allow people like you and me become extras in movies or stars in t.v. commercials. The way I found these particular websites was while I was surfing the web and on one of the advertisements it said "Do you want to be an extra on the Office?" and because 'The Office' is my favorite t.v. show I immediately clicked on it and found out how to become an extra. First you must sign up for this website called, talenthunter.com.

On this website you put your name, a picture of yourself, a summary of your experience, and where you live. The basic networking to get yourself known. Then after you're finished with this task, you wait a couple days and you begin to get e-mails from talent scouts who would like to help you find work. While I was a member (unfortunately, not anymore, because they wanted me to pay 33 dollars a month, money that I'm not willing to give up) I got 5 messages from 4 different scouts. One wanted me to be the lead in a commercial, another wanted me to be an extra in the second coming of Twilight, and the others wanted me to be an extra in t.v. shows, one of them being "The Office," which I would of loved to be a part of, but the only way I could become an extra is if I paid monthly.

So, if you're willing to spend money every month, go ahead and see if it works!

The differences between a reviewer and a critic.

Throughout my blog I have been interchanging reviewer and critic. However, after reading an article from Stanford University, they are completely different. A film reviewer writers for Newspapers and weekly magazines, and their audience is reading this review primarily to figure out whether they would like to go see the film or not. The reviewer is sharing their opinion, and helping their reader appreciate the art of film. The critic, on the other hand, writes essays about films usually for journals or classy magazines. The audience usually reads these essays to better understand film, not to figure out how to spend a Saturday evening. Critics usually have a good background on how films are made, and their history. Movie critics write for people who care about movies as an art form.

A popular movie critic, is A.O. Scott. He was originally a Sunday book reviewer for Newsday, and he also had many other publications before he became a film critic for the New York Times.

Unfortunately, the public interchanged reviewer and critic too, so according to society, A.O. Scott is a reviewer as well.

Magazine's of Importance

Although papers like the New York Times or the Philadelphia Inquirer have certain sections that are devoted to films and film journalism, there are a few magazine that are completely devoted to film and all its wonders. For instance, Filmmaker Magazine has interviews with filmmakers, stars, and also adds movie reviews. Throughout one of their issues they discuss film festivals, and the big winners during them. They also go through movies that are in production and will soon be put on the big screen. They have interviews with leading independent film directors and so on.

Another magazine that is solely devoted to film is MovieMaker magazine. According to the publisher's statement, this magazine is one of the best film magazines in America. 75% of it's readers are independent filmmakers, 52 % are in the film industry, and 82% are planning film equipment production within the next 12 months. Throughout this magazine, it will discuss the "how-to's" of movie making, have in-depth interviews with the leading people of the industry, and it will introduce you to the behind-the-scenes of the business of movie making.

You want to talk Film?

The best way to bring people together to talk and share their opinions about film is discussions after a film is shown. Usually the film is fresh in their memory and they're able to remember the good and the bad. Recently, on the ESU campus, they had discussions about the film "Watchman," but because I was unable to attend, I was not sure how it went, but I do have a feeling that people shared and learned of people's opinions and possibly formed new attitudes as well.

There is a website (http://filmdiscussions.com) in which a group of people get together, discuss films, voice record it, and put it up on this site. They have discussions ranging from Saved! to There Will be Blood. Although this group is a bit mysterious (I have no idea where they have these discussions or if they're legit), they do have a great amount of opinions on these movies.

For those of you interested in talking about films. Next semester here at ESU, Two friends of mine (plus me) will be showing free movies every week in Stroud 113, and we are hoping to have discussions on these movies afterwords (more information will be following).

New York Times.

I recently was strolling around the New York Times website, and found many interesting people who know quite a lot about movies. Such as the carpetbagger, originally carpetbaggers were what southerners named northerners when they moved to the south during the reconstruction period. Now, in modern times, carpetbagger is used for politicians who run for a state that they have no affiliation with. I guess you can say that David Carr (The man you see on the videos) is essentially a carpetbagger. Before making this blog he was a business writer, and now he is doing something that he really didn't have much affiliation with. Carr, goes around to premiers, watches the movies, and shares what he feels about it. Essentially, he's a movie critic, but mostly shares his idea of the winners for the Oscars and for other such awards. Although he sounds like he smoked many cigarettes and drank a lot of coffee in his day, he does know what he's doing. So, if you would like to become a video blogger like David Carr, watch him, a lot.

The Bad Interview

When interviewing actors or actresses, there are always guidelines to follow when asking them questions. If something goes wrong in an interview there can be some consequences to follow.
The first thing you cannot do and must stray away from is the personal question. You may ask a new mom about how their baby is doing but you should not ask them about their new partner, the recently received DUI, or drug habit (if indeed they have one). An interview you may remember is Tom Cruise and Matt Lauer. Throughout the interview Tom Cruise tries to teach Matt Lauer about Psychology, and it essentially becomes an intense argument. Although Tom Cruise brought up the issue, usually someone that's not Matt Lauer would try to calm the situation, if need be.

Making fun of an actor during an interview can be a terrible thing to do. Unless you are known to pick fun at them, it might be okay. Otherwise, if you are making fun of their weight, their looks, or anything similar, you might want to flee the situation. There is an interview with Jonah Hill and Michael Cera (Superbad) in which the interviewer begins to make fun of Jonah Hills weight. This makes Hill angry and he then begins to rant and storm out of the room (unfortunately, there are some crude words involved in the interview so I wont post it here). Either this interviewer wanted to loss his job, or he just doesn't like overweight people. It was still wrong and obviously made the actor mad.

The Director's Guild

The Director's Guild of America is a labor union that embodies the interests of film and television directors. To become part of this guild there are a few things you must follow.

1. Get some experience with shooting film either on film or digital video. If you can't afford film school, or any other kind of training, get your name out there. Tell people that you're a director and you want to show a film that you have done. You would be surprised how well that works.

2. Keep a journal. Write down all your projects, your visions for them, and the ending result. This will help you learn from your mistakes, and essentially build from them.

3. Use the journal to make a resume. It's always good to work for a company that is involved with DGA. So that you can be recommended to be part of the guild.

4. Work hard in your field. This will also up your chances in becoming a member.

How to watch a movie like a director

There is a differences between a movie critic and a movie director. Movie critics share their opinion and either lead the reader to watching or not watching the movie. Directors, on the other hand, look at the technical aspects of the movie.
If you would like to become a director or at least watch a movie like a director there are a few things that you must pay attention too.

1. Pay attention to the camera angles. These angles are considered the eye for audience, and if they are hard to follow, then the movie isn't worth watching. Sometimes camera angles can be a way for a director to tell the story

2. Listen to the dialog. It is up to the director, and a few other people, to decide how a line is pronounced. However, the actor may have different views on the way a line is said, but, in the end, directors direct actors.

3. Look for film techniques. Such as the color, the grain of the film ( how clear the picture is) etc. These also play an important part in telling the story, and making the film. Without some of these techniques, the movie wont be portrayed well.

4. Directors also look for other peoples opinions. Usually, if someone tells them to change something you can see that change in their next production. Opinions from other people usually help you see things in another light.

Mr. Roger Ebert.

After my review of Funny Games U.S, I decided it would be a good idea to read other reviews about the movie. Unfortunately, the movie did not get the greatest reviews. According to Roger Ebert, who gave the movie a half a star, the audience is the lab rat and they are placed in a "Skinner box" ( a movie theater) "and subjected to random negative stimuli (filmed violence, as a substitute for painful electrical jolts.) And Haneke plays the role of empirical taskmaster." And then Ebert goes on to say that an audience member should flee the movie theater and rip the film out of the projector.

Well, Mr. Roger Ebert, I disagree with you! After watching it at 1 in the morning when I was about ready to go to sleep, and simultaneously thinking "Turn it off, I don't want nightmares," and "This is probably one of the best horror films I have seen in a while, keep it on!" I would instead give 4 stars. And by the way, I watched the whole thing.

Funny Games is the kind of movie that gives off a fear that isn't just frightening but uncomfortable. I've never felt that in a horror film before. And, as I was watching it, I felt like I was there in the movie as a standby and watching these preppy boys do their dirty work. That, I have never felt while watching a thriller. I also thought that the script was clever, and with the violent undertones, made it even better.

Movie Review: Funny Games U.S.

The English remake of Funny Games (2007) (written and directed by Michael Haneke) is both vexing and maddening and one of its many goals is to make the audience feel unnaturally uncomfortable. With only a horrible punk rock song played throughout the movie, an opera song in the beginning and talking from a television in the background, the only real scare is the infrequent looks that Paul(Michael Pitt) gives to the camera and the well-mannered attitude that both boys carry. And the only reason for these two boys to torture this family is, well, just for the hell of it.

In the beginning, while driving to their quaint home in the middle of a wealthy town each member Ann (Naomi Watts) George (Tim Roth) and Gerogie (Devon Gearhart) cheerfully await their weeklong vacation that they think will be filled with sun and new family memories. While at their home preparing for the week’s events, they get a visit from a young man dressed in a white polo, black shorts, tennis shoes and white gloves named Peter (Brady Corbet), who politely asks for 4 eggs to bring back to their neighbors house. Unknown to the audience and Ann, this is where the torture starts. Throughout the rest of the film the boys begin to play “funny games” with each of the family members. They include “We bet that in, let’s say, i 12 hours, all 3 of you are going to be kaput, okay?”

Michael Haneke, who also made the first Funny Games, recreated each scene line for line, scene for scene, but instead the 1997 version was in German instead of English. His reasoning for making this movie was to show violence in society and how the media depicts it. His script is original and can be read as funny in some parts and also brings up issues in psychology and even philosophy.

The Movie Review

Movie reviews can be a great way of expressing how you feel about a movie, and the only reason they exist is because it will intrigue the reader to watch the film or not. Some steps to take while writing a review are:
Watching the Movie
Writing a review without watching a movie is like cutting through steak with a plastic spoon...impossible.
Give an Opinion
In movie reviews opinions are accepted (as discussed in my first post), however, if overused, can be kind of cliched. Nevertheless, if you read through movie reviews in magazines or online many critics use opinions, but they also use impartial information so they don't seem bias. And, as a good journalist, this is a good way to keep the reader interested.
Find Out who your Audience is
While writing your review you must consider the probable readers. If you're writing for children then there is obviously a different approach then writing for adults. So, make sure you add things in your review that your reader will enjoy
Synopsis
You should write a little about the movie but in a way that doesn't give much information away. You need to tell the reader vaguely what they will watch on screen. Example, if someone was going to see the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and wanted to know what it's about, then I would simply put, "A man who ages backwards." This statement is short and simple, and does in fact intrigue the reader.
Actors
Discussing the actors in a review is essential. Sometimes, when I read a review before seeing the movie it usually depends on the persons playing in the movie. If I don't enjoy their entertainment, then my hard working money will not be given to to the movie. And, this of course, goes both ways. Also, you may comment on their acting in the film. If it was good, I would certainly encourage a fellow movie watcher to go and see it.
The Script
Discussing the writing of the script will provoke a reader to see or not to see a movie, either by preference or good writing. Some people have partiality towards some pieces, like Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith. Tarantino's writings make you think about what is happening in the movie while Kevin Smith movies usually make you laugh.
Music
Sometimes music can be an important factor in film. Such as the horror film, if the movie doesn't have a good amount of "scary" music, then the movie might not give off the right affect the director wanted.
Read your review
It can be quite embarrassing when you find errors in your review. So, make sure that you check your reviews often and change them if need be.

Comic Con!

As I began to research how "small persons get big interviews" I've realized that most of these people work for magazines, or internet databases and have some kind of background in writing or Journalism. So, the easiest way to get an interview without any previous experience is Comic Con or any other kind of popular convention.

Comic Con is an annual comic book convention held in San Diego during the summer. Normally, at this convention, you see many fans dressed in super hero, villain, or any other kind of comic character garb. Starting in 1970, it has been a complete success for the past 20 plus years. During these couple days they hold a film festival, where they view films and give the fans a chance to ask questions to their favorite stars. Unfortunately, for those of us living in the North East, it can be quite a trip. And it may be kind of prices for those who don't want to spend $75 per ticket. However, it's a nice way to get some of those unanswered questions answered.


Here's a video of the cast of "The Office" at the 2008 Comic Con.

Good Question

As a Film Journalist, one of the many perks is interviewing a Film Star. There are many ways that this can happen. At movie premiers, award shows, during film promotion, and if you're an aspiring film journalist, Comic Con. But, the big question is, how do these lucky men and women of journalism meet and converse with the stars?

Do they do it like Aaron Barschak? A man that calls himself the "Comedy Terrorist." Who, in 2003, crashed Prince William's 21st birthday party wearing a pink dress, and a false beard.Or do they do it like the hosts of E! news or "The Movie Guy"? Well, my friends, it's a good idea to do it like E! news or "The Movie Guy" because Aaron Barschak may be entertaining but it's not essentially politically correct.

The easiest way to get interviews with movie star is if you work for a major network and if your physically attractive (the only interviewers I've seen lately have been quite good looking). However, people like "The Movie Guy," are well-known in a smaller way, through Youtube. His name is Chuck, and he is a pretty good interviewer. Who somehow gets a great amount of interviews with some talented actors. Such as Isla Fischer (Hot Rod, Definitely, Maybe), Kevin Smith (Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich, Burn After Reading) and so on (More about how small persons get big interviews on next post).

Interviewing Ideas of the Week.
When interviewing actors and actresses, there are some guidelines to follow and questions to stay away from, such as the personal questions. When these questions come up during an interview many famous people get defensive, they don't like them and usually divert the conversation to something totally different. So, if at all possible, stay away from these topics. You will never get the answer you want. Another important thing to do while interviewing is asking a question that they have never heard before. Usually, you're not the first person that has interviewed them that day. And the questions you have written down have probably been answered numerous amounts of times. So, be creative, think of something unique and make the actor or actress remember you after the interview is finished.