Over the past 12 weeks the ‘role of a critic’ for me personally has changed dramatically. Coming into this class I felt comfortable in my essay writing only through getting substantial results, but this studio really tested my limits about review writing, and how that really does differ from essays. Throughout the semester the most beneficial elements to me was in class time spent analyzing established critics writing, looking at the style and comparing it to my own work. We had many sessions of doing this from watching a film on a reviewer, reading multiple different reviews on the same film and coming as a group to discuss key components such as word choice and structure.
The best reflection on ‘the role of the critic’ for me is to take it in a chronological order as by now in week 12 my understanding of this had developed to a clearer understanding through different tasks and sessions Alexia advised us to do through class. I really appreciated this on her behalf because everyone works in different ways to get the best possible outcome of their work. From writing on one sentence for 25 minutes to analyzing vulgarity of negative reviews I felt we covered all the basis of how we personally can execute a review satisfying to both ourselves and potential readers.
Earlier in the semester I lacked confidence in sharing my work especially when I felt on unstable grounds of expectations and the standard of work. Shortly I began to realize that this didn’t even matter and everyone was in a very similar boat. Giving and receiving feedback has really advanced this for me as a critic, and was one of the most beneficial reoccurring discussions we had in studio times. Firstly, we began by reading four different reviews on the same film, in this case ‘Edwards Scissorhands’. I found this a good film for reflection of reviews as it was well known for all of us. Picking out the different styles of each piece and comparing them in groups developed for me now to be a better critic in terms of style. Through this the importance of a writer’s voice and word choice became really apparent to me as those who developed similar thoughts as me had me more engaged. Through doing this I began to pick up certain aspects that I wanted to start reflecting in my own work. For example, the use of comparative writing creates an image in the audiences head, which to me I think is a good quality of a critic for those whom may not of seen the film or eaten at that restaurant but can get some sort of understanding through past experiences of what it might be like. Furthermore, after reading different reviews of the same film I was more drawn to those that are conversational. For me personally this was extremely engaging and something I feel my writing could benefit from.
In our sessions we spent a bit of time writing in the studio and then some (not me) sharing it with the class. I was very reluctant to this method at the beginning as I struggle to be put on the spot with my writing and feel it flows at times of my own comfort. One task Alexia made us do was develop on a sentence given to us. I quite enjoyed this as a starting point because you could take it however you pleased, and there was no right or wrong. I always feel uncomfortable sharing my work when there is a right or wrong in hope that I haven’t gone off in my own tangent. When doing this I really worked hard on my word choice to create that vision in a potential viewer’s mind, because myself as a review reader this is what I would want to be given.
Having two different critics coming in and giving advice, Yossi Klein and Alex talked about what they do and giving us different tasks, Alex went over our anonymous reviews and Yossi we went through negative already established pieces. I really appreciated Alex making us write an anonymous review to be read out to the class because my issue of feeling uncomfortable to share my work started to fade. This enhanced my role as a critic as the most important part of this studio is critical feedback of my work and even though this may have started late in the semester at least it began!
Week 9 was a turning point of ‘the role of the critic’ for me. From not needing just advice from Alexia sharing my extremely rough draft in weeks 10 crit session helped me so much. What I have become to realize is that I know what I love to read, and what sticks out to me, but through this studio adapting your writing for the readers is an important part of being a successful critic. Through the whole class discussing my piece for a lengthy amount of time it made me confident with my voice and certain aspects that make me a good writer and what I can improve on.
The mutual respect everyone in the studio everyone has for one another made this studio so enjoyable and effective for my personal changing role of being now, a critic. Everybody became so good at giving feedback in a suitable manner which made myself feel comfortable asking for help knowing (eventually) I wouldn’t just be put down.
I have had a great semester and learnt so much from Alexia that will benefit me in my final year.
Unable to attend class from extreme jet lag and then cancelled class on Wednesday, I spent this week for EAC writing a review on ‘Lick the Star’ by Sophia Coppola for review on Monday 18th. I chose this short film over the other two because it was the one I felt most comfortable writing about, and at this point (where our work is being shared in class) for myself, I wanted to write something I felt a little more confident about. I still struggle sharing my work with other people, especially because I feel I lack vocabulary which really frustrates me when trying to describe and create images in my reviews. I quite enjoyed writing this review as i like Sophia Coppola’s other work of ‘The Virgin Suicides’ which I watched from a young age but never fully understand the ideas of isolation, which are reiterated in ‘Lick the Star’. Writing 600-800 words of a short film isn’t an easy task, I defiantly felt I ran out of things to say and feel my concluding paragraph is something I just stringed together through no thought as struggled to pull it all together.
I’m quite disappointed that I missed Monday’s class which was about note taking through films, which I could defiantly use some work on.
Absentia at its finest currently as I am cruising around the French Riviera, unable to attend class but extremely to see my long lost parents. This week I spent time looking at cultural experiences I would be interested in writing about for PB3. I came to the decision of writing about a restaurant in St Tropez which was not only fine dining but one of the most dramatic experiences I have ever encountered. I have felt comfortable writing about films (not to comfortable sharing that work, yet) so thought it was time to branch out to an experience. I feel this is relevant to what was discussed in week 7’s class about switching from a passive voice to an active voice. It gives a more personal effect on your writing and enhances a voice which I think is extremely important for critical writing as everyone wants to be heard, and appreciated.
I am struggling to know where to start with this piece as since it is a restaurant I think the food is important to comment on (as usually that is the most important factor of future customers) but the visual experience of this restaurant is what really grasped my attention. I have begun to write an incorporation of both approaches but am going to seek advice from Alexia!
Although absent in week 6 of ‘Everybody’s a Critic’ I never feel set back with the help of the blog and a clear run down of what we do in every session. This week we focused on curationism and the rise of the curator in popular culture. In the book Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer says “it’s not just what we like, but how we like it,”. I think for today in the 21st century this is a very valid point in the regards of social media and the impact it has on basically anyone who is anyone lives. We all search online about things we may like, healthy recipes, the latest sunglass trends and we like the photo, share it, buy it and just make everyone else very aware that we have something to do with it. When we find someone we like who do all the things we like, then basically they are our personal curator and someone to “clutch as we make our way through the crowd” (Alexandra Moloktow, 2014) ‘The Globe and Mail’.
Many valid points were made through these 2 articles that we look at in class about the role of the curator, but what I couldn’t help but think is how this will eventually die out. To many people now think they have the power to influence others (and probably do) to the point where “no one will care anhymore about the context” (Molotkow, 2014).
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/arts/the-rise-of-the-curator-in-popular-culture/article21504823/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/apr/18/david-balzer-curation-social-media-kanye-west
A short but productive week towards Project Brief 2! I was unable to attend the Q&A session on Wednesday afternoon due to babysitting, but I personally had a great quick, but effective session on Monday. We again prepared a draft of either a review, or our critical profile to swap around the class and get feedback on. I really like this technique because it not only guides you to how to create a better piece, but you are able to look at structure and language of others. I find this really important and useful specifically for my work as sometimes I feel I get quite lost in vocabulary to the point where my language doesn’t quite meet the reference of what I am saying. I am all for expanding my vocabulary, but for this studio I think the reviews that are most compelling are ones whom uses metaphorical language towards the topic of the review from films to a festival.
From the article I read about a film it gave me guidance about how I like my film reviews to be structured in saying, not giving to much of the plot away. Sometimes I get really lost in this. I like to think, if i was reading this what would I want to see? I would like to see all aspects, from the cast to cinematography and music. At this stage in the course this is what I feel is appropriate for my style of writing about films, but who knows that could change!
I am reasonably happy with the outcome of my critical profile, and I tried to take a different aspect for the draft of my review. Writing about the most testosterone built film from a females perspective- hopefully will work the way I intend it to
In our studio on Monday (31st July) we watched the film ‘City of God’ a documentary about food critic Johnathan Gold whom investigates and critics foods all around L.A. I can’t say that I would be willing to watch this film again, but I am sufficed to have had it ticked off my documentary film list. It was a very investigative and participatory film about a reviewer himself, but I really struggled to see a climax other than his well respected opinion around LA. What this film did teach me about being a critic is those whom are most respected by their audiences are those who are fair and reasonable. It can be painful to read reviews that you do not agree with, but holding that respect of knowing it is honest, truthful and knowledgeable is extremely important.
I really appreciated and took active participation on our Wednesday Studio where we looked at 5 different reviews of the same film, ‘Edward Scissorhands’ (a personal childhood favourite). This gave me insight towards what it may be to be a better critic through different styles. What I really valued the most from these articles was the use of comparison and painting a picture in the readers mind. This is something I really enjoy about reviews, because it gives you the closest rendition of what to expect from a film. Specifically, I really liked this from critic Ray Cassin. He compared Edward Scissorhands to old fairy tales such as Beauty and the Beast and Frankensteins, not only me but other viewers would be able to relate to and get a sense for the sort of tone portrayed throughout the film. What was also noticed through these reviews as I can sense that they give to much summary of the film sometimes, rather than leaving the audience the opportunity for their own expectance. In some what this seems fair for a film reviewer as he wants to apply his knowledge and authority to the film, but it can put the audience in a position of weakness knowing to much about the film before watching it.
I feel this was a extremely affective task for myself with my writing as I am beginning to understand what I expect from a review and also what I like to read.
For our class on Wednesday the 26th, each of us brought in a draft of a critic piece, mine being on ’13 reasons why’. Critiquing someone else’s work is not always easy, but I feel it has many personal benefits. My partners work I believe was so well structured, something I really need to work on as I feel i’m a bit of a waffler sometimes. I really enjoyed having to read over her work as it gave me some ideas about how I might restructure my piece. It also showed me that when you use language that relates to what your critiquing, the flow is a lot clearer and you’re points are more justifiable. This is something I really want to work on, I feel I really need to work on expanding my language for the pieces we have to create over the semester. I believe this will make short and sharp sentences that really bring in the reader and my point of view.
For the reading this week, ‘Film Criticism for the next Generation’ I took great notice of film critic Calum Marsh whom is a freelance critic and contributor to Cinema Scope, Slant Magazine and Reverse shot. I really enjoyed reading his comments on being a critic himself as he seems to be extremely realistic about being a critic and believing he doesn’t do feel entailed to be paid for. I think this is a great quality to have because when you take it out of your time to produce something for others that you don’t benefit from, it is always so much realer. Marsh says that “An odd thing about the practice of film criticism in general is that it doesn’t necessarily proceed from a shared or accepted understanding of its intended purpose”. This opened by eyes about trying to be a critic himself, is that no one is always going to agree with what I have to comment, but it is those who can relate that will get the most benefit from what is said.
Today in class we talked about starting our 3 films and the writing that goes along with it. I have completed the filming for the 1st and 2nd film which I quite like the artistic style I am going for and feel it replicates the meaning/matter I am trying to aim for. I have started to write what I am trying to do, and how I will do this for both of the object and action films. I enjoy writing about meaning, I find it a lot easier and feel I can use metaphors for this as well which expresses in depth what I am trying to convey. Although this whole studio has been about disconnecting the meaning I am defiantly ready to start bringing that back in.
Why you are not the ‘star student’ (and how to become one)
Really interesting anecdote we had to read in class today- SO relatable. There are so many people in this world who are ridiculously smart and put in so much effort but never get the recognition for it as they don’t put themselves out there. I completely understand with the author where some people just don’t click as to why they don’t get the same recognition as others, who MIGHT not be as smart but put themselves in the right network. Defiantly in this anecdote it has opened my eyes to the points below that I really do struggle with.
- Being able to talk about your work is critical, but it’s not all about being on stage, 3MT style. You must be able to engage in professional conversations as both a critical and creative contributor
- By spreading herself around, Anna builds a stronger network of support, allies and potential collaborators.
#1: I feel fine with submitting work and getting a grade for it, but I never actually feel comfortable when we have to share this with the class or with other people. I get shy and worried that it is so off from what everyone else is doing/ I don’t want to get judged for it. Something I defiantly need to work on as I want to work in the broadcasting media industry and feel I need to be a confident speaker no matter the out come of what people think.
#2: I defiantly have the personality to have a diverse range of connections, BUT I get comfortable with the people that I relate to easily, therefore do not have a diverse range of friends. This is defiantly something I need to work on for the future as this will lead me to a good position in the world and give me opportunities I would never have gotten without the connections of others.
I am so SICK I can barely breathe out of my nose let keep my brain in activeness throughout class today :-(.
