Hi,

My name is Pamela and I'm an actress. I'm new to writing though I have written a lot. I'm currently exploring the different arenas of writing as opposed to writing for theatre, tv, radio or film as I already do that. What other ways can I earn from writing? any ideas? I'm currently exploring the idea of writing 'Reviews' but I dont know where to start on that either. I'd really appreciate any ideas offered.

Many thanks

Pamela

We have a great pair of review writers on Write Words: Cornelia and Zettel. It is well worth reading their posts on the Film TV & Radio Reviews Forum to pick up tips on how it's done.



- NaomiM

Hi Pamela - sorry I have contacted you before - I've been ill.

Anna Reynolds has passed on to me your note to her about film reviewing. I'm no expert, but happy to offer a few thoughts on what I have learned in the last 4/5 years posting these on WW. I used them as a limited length way of improving my writing. These strike me as important issues:

1. Decide whether you are happy to do 'synoptic' reviews or something a bit longer and more detailed. I don't do synoptic reviews because there are loads of them around in every paper etc for free. Plus such a short review only gives you space to outline the plot and a very general comment.

2. If like me, you want do something more than synoptic then I think the the key thing is try to develop a voice something in the style or the perspective, or the writing - or all 3 - that the reader immediately recognises as yours. With me it is perhaps philosophical references or God help them all, my sense of humour!

3. Using the national press as a base - you will virtually never get more than 1,000 words. So for a complex film that you want to say a lot about - that's a good limit to set yourself. I have offended this more than once but every single one of the those reviews would have been better if I had cut them back to a 1,000. 500-750 is a good length for a popular but not complex film.

4. So set yourself a limit and stick to it. If you are over - then edit - brutally. Go on an 'adjective' or 'adverb' hunt and cut them out. (I should do it more).

5. Try to avoid cliched expressions - we all fall for these, especially in movies - but see if you can say the same thing in a more original way. Definitely try to avoid marketing puff language like 'stupendous' or 'monumental' or 'unforgettable' etc.

6. Don't just TELL the reader a film is good or bad - EXPLAIN or ARGUE your case - the vital thing here is that you want your reader to be mentally ACTIVELY engaged in your piece - it's a kind of mental dialogue between you and the reader. An argument is something a reader can address, disagree with, counter etc; your opinion is a matter of taste and can only be rejected or accepted - neither is much of a result for a writer.

7. Share, don't preach: I like to think (though again I often miss my target) that I SHARE my love of movies through my reviews - not that I know all about them and what a film is 'about'. There is seldom any one thing a film is 'about' anyway - especially if it is any good.

8. CARE about what you write - don't fake it or the reader will know. If you love a movie say so whatever anyone else thinks - I think Message In Bottle is one of the best written and performed love story, romantic films ever - it bombed at the box-office and most critics panned it as sentimental nonsense. So stand up for what you believe in in a movie.

9. The same goes, even more importantly if you pan a movie - knock a movie, kick it to death of you want, but have a reason, something you care about that lies beneath why you have such strength of feeling - otherwise it just sounds as if you're a smartass who can't direct or act telling someone who can that they're no good.

10. ALWAYS warn readers if your review contains a 'spoiler' - this is a review where for the purposes of your review you need to reveal a significant element of the plot. That's OK, often your reader will already know, but often they wont as they haven't yet seen the film - so don't EVER spoil it for them by not warning them your review contains critical plot details i.e. the Butler did it!! This rule should ALWAYS be sacrosanct - it still pisses me off when some genius reveals the ending to Sixth Sense on TV just because they arrogantly assume everyone already knows it. The spoiler rule is as absolute as the 'Father Christmas' rule!

11. Don't try and cover every film - just pick the ones you care about - feel strongly about. I think ALL writing should contain passion - controlled perhaps so that strong feeling is given the best possible form of expression: it takes much more than BEING angry to communicate anger effectively. But faking it is worse: readers, like children always spot the fakes!

Can't think of much more. See a lot of movies. If you can remember a great critic once said a good critic will always try to see something good in a movie - very few Directors or actors TRY to be bad.

If it is of interest I have set up my own site at http://www.zettelfilmreviews.co.uk which is access free.

If you want to read a great writer on films, look out any of the dozen or so books by Pauline Kael - dead now but she used to write for the New Yorker for years. She's the 'gunvor' reviewing-wise. George Melly was good for a few years in the Observer. Nowadays I guess Mark Kermode and Cosmo(?)Landsman in the Times are good.

Good luck. Feel free to contact me at any time if I can help.

regards

Zettel

cc/Anna Reynolds
/NaomiM

Hi Pamela,

I'd also recommend reading the New York Times reviews - they're excellent, among the best, i think.
px

Those are great tips, Zettel - I particularly agree with 6 and 7.

Tip tops Zettel. And always great reviews. Love the site. Will burn my copy of the Time Out Film Thingy and always use yours now.

~Rod

Hi, I've been reviewing for our local city and Southern newspaper for 5 years for our local awards - a prestigious event.

This is amdrams so I don't know how far this will help. Anyway,I have 150 -155 words preferably a first night (or dress rehearsal) review, and it has to be emailed by 7 am the next morning.

The criterea is to include a summary of the story line, just a couple of sentences is all there is room for and obviously not giving away too much if there are twists etc.

Also to mention any players, director, behind the scenes people (designers, lighting etc) and musical aspects if appropriate, who are likely to be nominated or otherwise appeal. It is usual to include a pithy remark about these so can be quoted later.

The first line has to be strong so I usually start with whatever is best about a show, perhaps the director or music, or chorus.

Crticisms of young people's shows are normally kept to a minimum, and blame the director. Adult productions have to take their chances. I normally put that in after the summary if dire or if lesser (first act nerves, got it together in second act) it can be relegated to end. If the newspaper needs to cut for space then they will cut at the end, so anything I really want to comment on needs to be said earlier on.

The editor does the headline, and normally picks up something good or bad to highlight.

The language is not meant to be too technical, as it is for the general public to decide if they would like to see the show.

What is lovely about reviewing with regard to young people is that many go onto a professional career and even if not nominated are often able to use comments made in their name in their CVs.

The worst thing is turning out on a wet night, driving 30 miles to some venue that is difficult to find, minimal parking and the show is awful or boring.

Anyway, all the best, enjoy the shows and events.

<Added>

PS as an actress you will be excellent as a critic/reviewer - as you will pick up things that reviewers like me, with a more general experience would notice.

<Added>

PPs "wouldn't notice" must get it right!

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everone who has replied to my question. I wasn't sure if I'd get any replies, but they have been overwhelming. so thank you all so much.

I wanted to add to my question and the addition is 'How can you earn money from writing reviews?' and 'what sort of fee could it pay?'

Thanks

Pam

You certainly can earn from reviews, Pamela - whether it's writing for a local paper, magazines, websites or the national press. Obviously, the pay scale varies depending on the length of the piece and the commissioning publication. In my experience writing for European papers, the pay has usually been around 20 cents a word - and those words do add up!

My reviews are at a rate of £30 per review. No expenses, although there are always 2 complimentary tickets - more if I ask for them. As a freelance need to pay income tax out of that - if not totally swallowed by expenses as happens if needed to what they call "second reviews" which are unpublished and for purposes of adjudication.

Reviews of professional shows are also at £30.

So no-one is making much out of this I'm afraid, but do it mainly because we like to be involved. The reviews though, as published, did get me accepted into the Society of Authors.