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.

Film Journalism: How it's done.

In order to become a Film Journalist, the most obvious thing is to write well and to be knowledgeable about film. Some may think that writing about film can be quite easy. However, you must have a balance between objectivity and subjectivity. Opinions are accepted but it’s good to find a balance between opinion and your understanding of film. You must also have a love for film and for those people who don’t have any formal training; you don’t have to worry because passion is really all you need.

According to Tom Charity, Film editor for Time Out, “When you see a film, it’s important to have strong feelings about it. It doesn’t matter whether you like it or not, you’ve just got to feel something about it.” There are many films that are not even worth spending $8 per ticket to see, but if in fact you decided to spend your hardworking money to rip a film, at least you have strong feelings about what you’re watching. And maybe even, if you’re willing, you can write a review about how this movie should have never been made.