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Writing About Movies
What's so hard about writing about movies? After all, we all "know" movies. Most of us could recite the plot of Independence Day more easily than we could recite the Declaration of Independence. We know more about the characters who perished on Cameron's Titanic than we know about many of the people who inhabit our own lives.
It's precisely our familiarity with film, however, that presents our greatest writing challenge. Film is so familiar and so prevalent in our lives that we are often lulled into passive viewing (at worst) or simple entertainment (at best). As a result, certain aspects of a film are often "invisible." Caught up in the entertainment, we sometimes don't "see" the camera work, composition, editing, or lighting. Nor do we "hear" the sound design. Nor do we observe the production struggles that accompany every film-including the script's many rewrites, the drama of getting the project financed, the casting challenges, and so on.
However, when your film professor asks you to write about film, it's precisely those "invisible" aspects that you're expected to see. As Looking at Movies advises, you need to pay attention to the way the camera moves. Observe the composition (the light, shadow, and arrangement) within the frame. Think about how the film was edited. Note the sound design. In short, consider the elements that make up the film. How do they function, separately and together? Also think about the film in the context of when it was made, how, and by whom. In breaking down the film into its constituent parts, you'll be able to analyze what you see. In short, you'll be able to write a paper that transforms your thoughts and responses into writing that is appropriately academic.
It's precisely our familiarity with film, however, that presents our greatest writing challenge. Film is so familiar and so prevalent in our lives that we are often lulled into passive viewing (at worst) or simple entertainment (at best). As a result, certain aspects of a film are often "invisible." Caught up in the entertainment, we sometimes don't "see" the camera work, composition, editing, or lighting. Nor do we "hear" the sound design. Nor do we observe the production struggles that accompany every film-including the script's many rewrites, the drama of getting the project financed, the casting challenges, and so on.
However, when your film professor asks you to write about film, it's precisely those "invisible" aspects that you're expected to see. As Looking at Movies advises, you need to pay attention to the way the camera moves. Observe the composition (the light, shadow, and arrangement) within the frame. Think about how the film was edited. Note the sound design. In short, consider the elements that make up the film. How do they function, separately and together? Also think about the film in the context of when it was made, how, and by whom. In breaking down the film into its constituent parts, you'll be able to analyze what you see. In short, you'll be able to write a paper that transforms your thoughts and responses into writing that is appropriately academic.
53 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
13 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 7, 2019
this was helpful, especially the 'illustrated glossary of film terms' (should add that I was a German student in a British media studies program, so I needed the vocabulary help)
January 24, 2016
This is an excellent book for expanding the average high school English student's range to film critique. It contains all of what I try to teach my students about how to critique film, and more. The writing is pleasant and clear, without inflection, pandering, or academic jargon.
A college or top-notch high school student should be able to tear through the book in about two hours--it is straightforward but verbose, and a 20 page version would have sufficed for good students.
A college or top-notch high school student should be able to tear through the book in about two hours--it is straightforward but verbose, and a 20 page version would have sufficed for good students.
January 26, 2022
I will start off by saying that I regret 1.5 hours of my time finishing this. Could have started on another Berdyaev’s book…
The first part of this book is horrible because it tells the basics which anybody who had ever watched a film youtuber or critic knows. You can just go on IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes and find a well-written review, which you can analyze and base your future reviews off of it. Furthermore, the first part has a lot of references to films which many do not know. I am taking an American Novel class (where this book is assigned, dont ask why) and I am sure that there are no film nerds besides me and 1 other person who would understand all of them. Anyways, the first part is the base for anyone reading a book too… look at the plot, underline, take notes etc.
The second part is a disgrace. It is the most basic principles of writing a college paper which any person with an iq above 60 knows without this book. It is what the teachers usually say during their first time in class.
The third part would have been helpful if the book did not cost almost 30$, and if it included more examples. What I witnessed in this glossary can be found on YouTube for free (browse any “film vocab” video), which completely nullifies its purpose (I would have understood if the book costed 3$).
In the end we have:
A complete waste of time pass. You will not enhance or learn how to write about movies in this book. Nevertheless, you can buy it if you consider yourself a brainless ape (or if it was assigned to you, god bless).
I will also add that when you read, it is necessary to NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON ANYTHING THAT IS NOT HIGHLIGHTED, BECAUSE ITS JUST THE EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS HIGHLIGHTED, AS IF THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE ANNOTATIONS TO ULYSSES.
or simply never consider buying or reading this; read good critics like Anton Dolin, analyze their reviews and try to compel something of your own afterward! The scheme is simple.
The first part of this book is horrible because it tells the basics which anybody who had ever watched a film youtuber or critic knows. You can just go on IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes and find a well-written review, which you can analyze and base your future reviews off of it. Furthermore, the first part has a lot of references to films which many do not know. I am taking an American Novel class (where this book is assigned, dont ask why) and I am sure that there are no film nerds besides me and 1 other person who would understand all of them. Anyways, the first part is the base for anyone reading a book too… look at the plot, underline, take notes etc.
The second part is a disgrace. It is the most basic principles of writing a college paper which any person with an iq above 60 knows without this book. It is what the teachers usually say during their first time in class.
The third part would have been helpful if the book did not cost almost 30$, and if it included more examples. What I witnessed in this glossary can be found on YouTube for free (browse any “film vocab” video), which completely nullifies its purpose (I would have understood if the book costed 3$).
In the end we have:
A complete waste of time pass. You will not enhance or learn how to write about movies in this book. Nevertheless, you can buy it if you consider yourself a brainless ape (or if it was assigned to you, god bless).
I will also add that when you read, it is necessary to NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON ANYTHING THAT IS NOT HIGHLIGHTED, BECAUSE ITS JUST THE EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS HIGHLIGHTED, AS IF THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE ANNOTATIONS TO ULYSSES.
or simply never consider buying or reading this; read good critics like Anton Dolin, analyze their reviews and try to compel something of your own afterward! The scheme is simple.
November 8, 2013
This is a wonderful and succinct book on how to write an effective academic paper. Handy for writing about movies, to be sure, but this book will be helpful to anyone wanting a breakdown on how to write a variety of college papers.
November 25, 2024
Shoutout to this book for helping me with my film papers! The writing was a bit dense at times, making it somewhat difficult to understand. I did really appreciate the glossary of film terms at the end of the book.
January 24, 2021
Excellent companion piece to the IB Film class and Barsam and Monahan's 'Looking at Movies.' Highly recommended for students of film.
January 31, 2022
Read for class
June 13, 2022
Read for class thinking it would help with my college essay writing but it was 98% things I learned in high school so. Best part was that it recommended some cool production design books though!!
February 25, 2015
Good read to get an in-depth look into how to analyze movies. I probably would not have read it if it wasn't a class requirement, but as far as required books go, it wasn't bad. I would probably read it again as a reference in the future if I needed to.
February 17, 2015
First half is specific to film, the second can be found in any writing book. The glossary is the best tool given.
September 14, 2016
Great review! Good checklists.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews