We all love movies, spending so much time waiting for, watching them and studying them that we have, in our own way, become a film critic. But what if we wanted to make a career of being a movie critic? It's different to argue with friends about the latest release than it is to write about it for a big media outlet. But if you have the right tools and unique perceptive, you just might be a movie critic.

A Deep Love for Film

You must have a deep love of film, across all genres. The more different films you see, the better the critic you can become. Don't just watch the big Hollywood releases; watch old silent movies, documentaries and Westerns to name a few. Netflix offers a wonderful variety of movies to get you started. Also, find a local favorite video rental store and discuss movies, directors and theory with the clerks. Remember, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino was an avid film buff and video clerk before conquering Hollywood.

Write in College and Beyond

Another important tool is to write. Write every day to sharpen your skills. Read, learn and expand your vocabulary. Write about all things that catch your interest, not just movies. Just starting out? A college background in journalism, writing or theater and film is a great tool and sometimes a prerequisite for many media outlets. Work as an intern for your college paper, local newspaper or an online website. Take notes from your editors seriously, and keep all your work to see your growth and improvement. When at those outlets, track what the paid film critics are covering and write your own reviews. Practice makes perfect. Start a movie blog. It's free and needs very little design work to post new reviews. While you are knocking on the doors of the big media outlets, having a movie blog online shows your work and any fan base and traffic you have created.

Your Unique Voice

Finally, you must have a love for all the arts; Film, Music, Books and Photography. You don't have to be an expert in all these fields but have knowledge of them. Take a guided museum tour, interview a musician, and find out why a photographer works in black and white instead of color. All these experiences in the arts will help your writing and gain a higher sense of what you are writing about. These ideas along with what else we covered will all blend together to create your own voice as a writer and movie film critic. This unique voice will ultimately earn you a living as a credible and marketable movie critic.

Source:

Scout Report Story Links

Tips for Critics

Film Critic's Approach

More Information:

Do Critics Matter?

Movie Critic Speaks

Finding Film Reviews