|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Previous Issues > March 2008 > What's It Like To BE... > What's It Like To Be A Film Critic?
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
 What's It Like To BE...
What's It Like To Be A Film Critic?
Did you know that there are some people that actually get paid to watch movies? What a great job! Cole Smithey has been a film critic for 11 years. In fact, his movie reviews are read in over 50 publications, print and on-line. Starting in April, Smithey will partner with me to write film reviews for Kidsville News! Well be able to tell you all about the movies that you'll want to go see, or wait for until they hit the video store!
TRUMAN: What does it take to become a film critic?
SMITHEY: The two biggest elements necessary to becoming a film critic are a love of film and a love of writing. You should love all genres of films from all countries and have an ability to set aside personal prejudices in order to give yourself over to the intent of the filmmaker. Then you can go back and put into context where your own opinions of how the filmmaker succeeded or failed at telling the story he or she set out to tell. It also helps to have a good understanding of screenwriting laws and filmic vocabulary.
As for the writing aspect, you have to be willing to spend three or four hours writing a film review that might never be read or published. And be willing to keep spending those lonely hours writing endless film reviews until you begin to develop your writing voice. Eventually something will happen, and you will find someone to publish your work if you can spend as much time sending your reviews to as many editors as you can find.
TRUMAN: When, and why, did you first become interested in this profession?
SMITHEY: I had studied acting, screenwriting, filmmaking and set design in college. I'd attended the Cannes Film Festival twice as an actor and was working for my talent agent in San Francisco when I picked up a copy of the British film magazine Sight and Sound and noticed their huge section of film reviews, which included a separate synopsis sidebar. A light went on in my head, and I knew that I had found my calling. As an only child, I used to go see a lot of movies alone when I was young, and this seemed like a perfect way to put the things I'd learned in college to use.
TRUMAN: What do you do during a typical day on the job?
SMITHEY: First I look to see what films are opening during my deadline window and get in touch with the publicists for those movies to find out about screenings and RSVP for the one I want to attend. Then I look at the list of films that Ive seen recently and choose the one I need to write about. I might spend two, three or even four hours writing a long film review. Later, it's time to go see a movie or two in the evening. I take a notepad and a pen with a little light in the tip to take notes during the screening.
On some days I might go to a nearby hotel to interview the actors and director of a movie. I sit at a round table with a handful of other journalists, and we trade off asking questions of movie stars with our tape recorders turned on. Then I have to go home and play back the recording and transcribe everything that was said and write an intro for the piece before sending it out to my editors.
TRUMAN: What's the hardest part of your job?
SMITHEY: The hardest part is sitting down and starting to put words on a blank page. After I start, it gets easier, but getting in the right frame of mind to sit down and actually be still with my thoughts and the computer keyboard is a tricky beast. It's sort of like trying to get a lazy cat to come when you call it. The little kitty isnt really interested in jumping down from her cozy spot, but if she's hungry enough, she can't help but do it.
TRUMAN: What's the best part of your job?
SMITHEY: The best part is probably reading my work in print and appreciating the writing as if someone else had written it. I love it when I read my own work in a magazine or paper and wonder how on earth I ever organized the observations and opinions on the page. Writing is a magical form of communication that goes much farther than we realize at any given moment.
TRUMAN: What advice would you give kids who are interested in this profession?
SMITHEY: Study English grammar and read everything you can get your hands on. Reading and writing are two things you must always be doing. Never stop looking at ways to improve your writing. Always work on building your vocabulary.
Make sure you see the top 100 films ever made. Find the list somewhere and work your way through the films of Chaplin, Renoir, Hitchcock, Fellini, Bergman, De Sica, Welles, Bertolucci, Murnau, Kubrick, Tarkovsky, Resnais, Keaton, Wadja, Allen and Bunuel, just to name a few. You cant pretend to know good films from bad if you don't know great films from good. All modern filmmakers draw on lessons taught by the great directors of the 20th century. You must know where that lexicon of ideas and cinema language comes from. Being a film critic is a serious job, and you can never underestimate the great debt you owe to the ensemble of actors, crew members, writers and directors that created the art form upon which you build your career.
And finally, read every film review Pauline Kael ever wrote.
TRUMAN: I have to ask, what is your favorite children's film of all time?
SMITHEY: Between The Wizard of Oz, 101 Dalmations, and E.T., I guess I'll go old school and say The Wizard of Oz.
TRUMAN: Wow! You sure know a lot about movies. I am really looking forward to working with you as we bring the film reviews to Kidsville News!
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
