Film criticism can appear daunting. From the outside, it may seem too sophisticated, an avenue that requires encyclopedic knowledge of film history and total mastery of the written word. But film criticism is fascinating because, while the aforementioned skills definitely have their importance, the key to writing about art is having a strong voice. Your perspective, what your eye is specifically attuned to, that’s what will create an engaging piece that captivates readers. The following are five steps you can take to ensure that your idea is strong and able to support thorough analysis.
1. Distill your “take” into one sentence
Zeroing in on keywords can make it easier for you to connect your disparate thoughts together into a coherent subject. This can take the form of a question or a statement, whatever is best for your workflow and brainstorming. ‘What does *blank* have to say about…? *Blank* highlights the connection between…’ This will inform the shape of your analysis. Will it be more analytical, a personal essay, something in between? Having a simple sentence as your guide will help you cement your starting point. This way you’re not grasping at straws once you finally sit down to write. You’ll already know what you hope to convey.
2. Rewatch the source of your analysis
This is the simplest step. Even if you’re writing about something you’ve seen a hundred times, it’s important to have the work fresh in your mind if you want to write about it. You might be familiar with this work, but have you always paid close attention to the themes or the filmmaking style you want to write about? Notes are a vital part of this whole process. Everyone has their method. I’m partial to bulleted lists of important words or phrases, and I tend to avoid fully formed sentences. Notes are also very personal. What matters is that you can extract meaningful details from your observations that can then be fleshed out in your complete piece.
3. Do your research
Read about your subject. Depending on the scope of your piece, you can focus on the development, on the particulars of how it was shot or put together, or even interviews from the cast and crew discussing their work. All of this can provide supplemental detail that can strengthen your overall piece. In your research, you might even stumble upon pieces from other writers discussing your ideas, or ideas very similar to yours. Don’t let this discourage you! Read these pieces as well, and try to discern if your angle is an unexplored one that can be a positive addition to the existing conversation. However, if you find that someone has beaten you to your idea, there’s no shame in letting go of it. It just means you’re free to explore until something captivates your interest once more.
4. Go back to your original sentence and flesh it out
Before you get to work on the piece in its entirety, go back to your starting point. Now, you’ll have your fresh watch, your notes, and your research to help you. Ask yourself if your starting point has meat on its bones, if it is a rich, untapped vein that you can develop into intelligent analysis. It’s normal for an idea to ebb and flow as you turn it over. Don’t be afraid of retooling your original thought or adding more to it. Before you finally settle in to write the full piece, you should have a clear understanding of what you want to say and how you want to say it.
5. Get to work!
Now you can earnestly put your idea into writing. You are ready to share your perspective and delight countless readers with your insight. Have fun!
