How to be Film Critic in 4 Steps

Roger Ebert (1932-2013): One of the greatest Critics
in American Film History

Critics are what make society function. Without them we would not know how to improve ourselves. A critic can be a friend, teacher, or even your arch-enemy. Either way you will get to find various insights about you and your own work.

A film critic is a person who analyzes and rates movies. Although, it might seem relatively easy, in reality, it can be a complex job. It varies as to the type of film critic you want to be. If you are deciding on becoming a hobbyist just commenting on the film you watched then you do not need any prior knowledge. However, if you want to be a person who is acclaimed by the society as a respectable critic then you will need to devote time in studying film.

These steps will help you find your place as a film critic. However, the steps are simply your start. Only hard-work and passion will lead you to the end.

1. Fix your mindset: Do it to help people!

The first and foremost thing before doing any activity is mentally fixing your approach to that certain goal or idea. One of the problems that drag down most critics is that their insights tend to get lost among the massive number of reviews. This usually happens due to the mindset with which some critics write their reviews. The reason is: these people write their reviews in order to get money or fame. But the primary reason should be to help people!

It is highly probable that there are thousands of reviews like yours and mine out there. If you write reviews just to make cheap money then people are going to ignore your words. You can improve your chances by actually trying to help the people get an insight into the movie. This is essential because when you fix your goals to solely help people you will never run out of things to say. Although, this sounds a bit foolish at first, after much practice I realized that helping others is the best way to achieve individual success. This is because when people feel like that you are going out of your way to make something for them, they will not only listen to you but also start to respect you.

The ones in society who gain status or riches do it by helping people solve their problems not by only focusing on selfish needs.

2. Few Points to keep in Mind...

There are few points that are essential for every good review. I have found out that no one informs you about points like these until you mess up and realize yourself. But not to worry! The trusty author will obviously conjure some ideas to help you become the next renowned critic.

Firstly, keep your review as short as possible. Read, Cut, Save. Come back to it next day and repeat until you are left with the bare minimum. This method helps you get rid of the unnecessary details and makes the review compact. Secondly, try to make original statements. There are so many other reviewers out there and it is easy to be tempted by someone else's style. Do not imitate anyone and keep on experimenting with different writing methods. This will help you find out what works for you and what type of readers you are aiming for. Finally, also make sure to convey your own passions and ideas. Do not be afraid to say you disliked a movie but don't just simply force your feelings upon the readers! State your opinion and let the readers decide.

Be eloquent with expressing your ideas and make sure to entertain the reader. They are reading your review to know about a film. Don't leave them hanging, give them what they came for!

3. Know What You are talking About

My First Film Book:
it inspired Me become a Director

There is no point in giving a film review if you do not even know how films even work. Realizing shot elements like fade-in and dissolve and concepts like mise-en-scene can really help a critic understand and analyze the film. If you do not know what those terms mean do not worry! You are reading this article to learn.

People who study film studies usually have the rights to be a critic. But what is film studies? Well, its the studying of films. The course teaches people about history of film and the general concepts about the movie world. It is a great way to learn all the basic terms and realize your own position in the film world. This course also teaches you how to break down and analyze a film bit by bit. This might be a bit tedious at first but once you get used to it the activity becomes fun! Remember, it is not only passion but hard work that will set you apart from other film critics.

If you are currently enrolled in a university or college you can check to see if they offer these courses. If not then you can simple buy or borrow a book and finish the course yourself. I finished the course even before my own sister, and i go to high school whereas she goes to college.

4. Do not Wait for the "Right" Moment

Most people push off their dreams and aspirations off by saying that they are waiting for the right moment. They are not ready to express their passions because it is not the time yet. But is that really the reason? Many people who get to explore themselves find out that time is not the problem. The real obstacle is fear.

People always ask: "What if it does not work out?" or "What if no one reads my reviews?" whereas they could also ask: "What if it does work out and people respect me?" Although most people deny it, the fear of starting something new and getting rejected is what holds us back from pursuing our dreams. But think about it this way: If people like your reviews then that is amazing but if they don't it doesn't mean the world ended. You are no worse off than when you actually started. On the plus side you learned how to analyze and write about films. Not many people can do that so Good For You!

It will never be the right time unless you make it the right time. There are thousands of critic sites out there waiting for you. And if you like none of them then make your own. Do not start tomorrow, or ten minutes later, start now! Go and show the world who you are because if you do not believe in yourself then the world has no reason to believe in you. You can do it and do it now!