As a part of our overall grade, we are required to produce a film review as well as a postcard for the marketing and distribution of our film.
In order for us to get a feel of how to produce and write up a film review, it was important that we were shown some examples from the industry. We got given examples not from short films, but long feature films, and when reading it we could still apply the features to our short film.
The first article we looked at was an article from the magazine "sight and sound" (which is a magazine used purely for people within the industry) based on a film called frozen, It was released in the United Kingdom in 2004, and was directed by Juliet Mckeon. Based on Juliet McKeon's short film she then went on to make a feature film which was Frozen. We needed to establish that sight and sound is a very different film review magazine, where there were only few articles on short films, therefore to meet the brief, i would have to create an unconventional section of the newspaper/ magazine called "Short Film Special" so that i am able to meet the exam boards brief.
When reading through the article i noted down some of the conventions these reviews have.
The conventions are..
- A synopsis with a picture is included which is a unique selling point for the film.
- What actors are starring in it and how good the casting was, even if the storyline was not good it would still be a watchable film. For example in the magazine it states "Henderson is a good actor as she offers an emotional anchor which creates an effective starting point for the story.
- Comparisons to other films
- Explanations of how some shots were filmed, gripping the reader in wanting to know more about the film. An example of this could be that in this article it states that some shots are filmed underwater.
- Words and Phrases- different words and phrases which are used to be a unique selling point, for example "Prize winning" and "style" make us think that this is a good quality film to watch.
We had to change specific elements of the criteria, as sight and sound is a magazine within the film industry which is very hard to get hold of. We also looked at articles from newspapers, and even the Internet which we analysed and got ideas from, in order to match the marking criteria for our coursework.
An example of the Frozen film article is shown here, as you can see a picture is shown, quite large to gain the audiences attention.
The text is small and formal, as this article has come from an film industry magazine, and the layout is formal, set our in columns making it easier for people to read.
The name of the film, release date and the directors name is shown in bold, making it easier for us to get first impressions of the film.
The language used in this article would be extremely formal, due to it being an industry magazine, therefore film critics, and professionals would be reading and understanding this language rather then the public. Target audiences used would be film experts within the film industry.
The Independent
After reading a heavy film review article, we had a look at some more articles which would come from different resources, and they would be structured and written in a different way from the sight and sound article. We looked at the Independent which was overall very different compared to the other article. It was easier to read and understand and consisted of less technical language, leading it to be less formal, and often would contain some humour within the article from the first sentence.
The Independents film review was based upon the new film called "The Kings Speech".
- It was a positive film review, which the Independent gave the film, and we automatically know the film is a heritage film by the style of written communication and images we see on the page.
- The Image was of Colin Firth, the main Actor, which is also a unique selling point for audiences, knowing someone famous and well known is starring in the film.
- Within the article it plays upon the narrative, and recalls the audiences attention by mentioning that Colin Firth and this film is up for a BAFTA award nomination. This would also bring in global audiences not only British as Americans are interested in the BAFTA's.
The Independent would use formal language aimed t middle class people who would be reading/ buying this paper. However, instead of it being aimed at the people within the industry, it would be aimed at members of the public who are buying this newspaper.
The Guardian
The Guardian was similar to the independent, both being newspapers, and unlike Sight and Sound it is easy to read and understand using more informal language rather then formal. Adults who are not film experts who like to watch films regularly would prefer this type of film review, rather the Sight and Sound.
- The Structure gives alot away about the plot of the film, which draws the readers in, wanting to watch the film, although there is a whole section in the newspaper, which contains a synopsis of the film.
- The guardian has different marketing materials, for example images, video's and information about the trailer.
- The review is comical, making readers laugh and creates a sense of humour, making the readers feel at ease when reading this. It uses simple English and is very light hearted.
The language used in this newspaper, would be aimed at members of the public, and be more informal and humerus when using language to review the film. The target audiences would be different compared to people who would be reading " The Sun" however, the language would be more formal in this newspaper compared to others.
Public film magazines
Public Film magazines are laid out and structures very different compared to the other two forms of reviews we have looked at. This article was taken from Film Guru.net. This film review is of a film called I f***ing Hate you starring John T Woods, and directed and written by Zak Forsman. This is a short film, unlike all of the other reviews we have looked at which are long feature films.
The review is written in first person, coming from a person who has just watched the film, giving their own opinion on what their views are.
The reviewers would usually comment on the camerawork, which in this film lacks accuracy, lighting, mise-en scene (hair make up and props etc).
alot with very little.
After reading 3 different types of film reviews, i have decided about some of the conventions which i will include in my film review.
I will include an image of the main character on set (Isabel)
I will also include a small synopsis of the short film, informing the audience of what happens but not give too much away so there will be no intention of the audience watching it.
Characters names, and who is starring in the film will be essential, along with the director and the length of the film, will be written in small, at the top of the page.
Explanations of how some of the shots were filmed, i will explain how 1 shot is taken, i will do this by choosing on set, the most difficult shot to shoot, which will be a unique selling point and an interesting fact for the readers.
I am going to base my film review on the Guardian review, which i feel will be the most effective, and the one i am most likely to get a good grade in. I like the comical aspects of the film review and find it effective in drawing readers in and wanting to watch the film.
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