When students receive an assignment to write a high-quality film critique, they tend to think it is an easy job to do, because watching movies and talking about them is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, it is much more challenging than that. Professors need much more than just your option, they want you to analyze genre, characters, key idea, logline, etc. Here we gathered tips on writing parts of a good film critique paper which are mostly failed by students. A team of experienced academic writers from https://smartwritingservice.com created a small guide on how to avoid typical mistakes writing a film critique and analyze the most important components of the particular film.
Film Genre
Basically, the genre is what gives an idea about the mood of the film. After all, many people have “their” favorite genre. For this reason, the reviewer must confirm the genre of the film. If several genres are indicated in the description, then it is desirable that the reviewer indicates them in degrees of decrease from the main genre to partial ones. It is very important to understand that in compiling his assessment of a film, the component must put this film on a par with the best films of this genre, in his opinion.Often, the mistake in compiling reviews and assessments is precisely the discrepancy between the genres of the film.
Logline
So, the first stage is watching the entire movie. You can, of course, combine this process, for example, with selection or creativity, but if time allows, it is better to watch the movie for the first time (read the script) as a spectator. At this stage, the editor (or the author of the trailer) answers several questions.
According to modern production rules, the author should be able to clothe the main idea of his film in a short formula of two or three sentences. Best of all, from one, like: “Pensioner against gangsters,” “Spartak is a man of legend” or “Love in a flying saucer.”
The main rule – logline should set the genre and the main idea of the film. Simply put, it answers the question “What is the film about?”. If this question cannot be answered in a pair of sentences, then there is already a problem with the script. This rule works even in the author’s festival film “not for everyone.” As Einstein said: “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old child, you don’t understand it.”
Logline is usually formed by the author at the stage of coming up with the idea when it is presented to the producer. In most cases, the logline is even recorded in writing and, in this form, reaches the author of the trailer.
Dramatic Structure
Identifying the structural features of the film is an important part both for promo and for evaluating its commercial potential.
The easiest way to identify the plot structure is by key points that have many names in different sources, but they have the same essence. This is the moment when the viewer receives new information, and the plot, therefore, moves forward or changes direction. As a rule, these points are most clearly manifested in the words of the characters.
Although the plot moves the action, it is the words of the characters that serve as clues for those who parse the plot.
The main thing is to make sure that these words do not diverge with the action. Otherwise, it will not be a key point, but just an empty verbal husk
Characters in the film can talk without ceasing, but there will always be very few key phrases, no matter how complicated and confusing the plot is.
The main task of this stage is to identify them among the rest.
When writing a film critique it is important not to give just your opinion about the movie, but make sure to analyze the most critical points of the plot and the author’s idea. Your attitude will be seen anyway, so don’t emphasize it. Don’t neglect thorough proofreading and better check the final draft twice before submitting it.
