Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: Writing Reviews for Film
Film lovers unite! This course is open to all film enthusiasts who are eager to share their views on what to see on the silver screen. During our time together, we’ll be examining the art and craft of writing informative, entertaining reviews on films we love—or deplore.
Along with breaking down the five-star rating system into its constituent parts, we will analyze cinematography, acting, editing, screenwriting, scenic and costume design. Genre, set-up, and audience expectations will be discussed after viewing the first 3 minutes/opening scenes of films such as Grey Gardens, The King of Comedy, Weekend, and Catwoman.
We’ll also address the following: What makes film different from other art forms? In what sense is film an art? Who is the artist behind the film?
In addition, we will read reviews from film critics such as Roger Ebert, Pauline Kael, John Simon, Janet Maslin, and Paul Rudnick. And we’ll discuss how to sharpen your writing style with strategic tips on how to edit your prose (taking into consideration that a majority of film reviews are ~500 words or less).
By the end of the course you will have a greater understanding of art of summarizing, attained a working knowledge of basic film terminology, and acquired the enviable ability to analyze films using a variety of interpretive approaches.
Please bring in a 3-4 sentence summary of your favorite film to share with the class.
