This might be an act of hypocrisy because clearly I'm not the best reviewer in town and I sometimes don't fallow the advice I wrote, but I thought that just a few tips and basic advice could be forgiven lol.
These are just a few basic ones, if there is something that I missed then tell me by posting and I'll add it to the thread along with your credit. That's why I consider this a project more than a simple guide, and I hope a lot participate and get a lot of people to write their own reviews.
Current Tips:
1. Watch the film and revise your review multiple times
The former isn't something that is required to do, but if you want to write a good quality review then my suggestion is to do it. The latter however is definitely needed. Even a few words mixed up can block your point from getting through and makes your review look sloppy and careless.
2. Use pictures
A single image may be more powerful than a thousand words. It can capture what the viewer will expect when they read your review and watch the film for themselves. It can also be a break from a wall a text that reviews are, especially when they contain lots of information.
3. Have your own style
If you want your reviews to stand out and receive recognition as a reviewer its good to have a special and flamboyant style of your very own. Don't try to copy from other famous reviewers even if originality can be hard. Whether you're gonna go for humor, insightful thoughts, or having a totally different point on films they're all better than ordinary Joe.
4. Don't be afraid to express your thoughts
This is why some people can't achieve tip 3. They're afraid about what other people think and in the end just write plain and boring reviews. Why be afraid? As long as its not something like cursing and swearing at a director like Martin Scorcese its your review, and because its yours you have the right to write anything (well most of them) you want. Haters gonna hate, aligators gonna aligate, and potatoes will potate.
5. The most important thing is to get your point across
Some people try to put sophisticated college words into their reviews to sound intellectual and all that without even knowing what the hell their blabbering about. Even famous reviewers use basic words such as 'hate' and 'like'. A lot of people only see reviews to just check out whether a certain film is bad or good, simple as that. They don't give a damn about what kind of words you used. Be loud and clear.
Captain Spaulding
1. Don't focus too much on plot synopsis. Most people who are interested enough to search for a review usually know what the film is about. Also people tend to get too detailed.
Kaplan
1. Learn and use proper grammar if you want to be taken seriously.
2. Try to be informal.
Christine
1. Spell correctly.
Yoda
1. Entertain the user. They want to read about the actors and stuff but most importantly they want to here about you.
Rodent
1. Have a routine in your reviews. Decided what you will do in each paragraph so that there is consistency.
2. Avoid spoilers, thought if its extremely necessary to have one use a spoiler tag or warn the user beforehand.
MovieMeditation
1. Write in a constructively way. Make sure where a focus ends and begins.
Citizen Rules
1. Brevity....don't write a novella length review.
2. Leave the potty mouth at home.
Godoggo
1. Write in your own vernacular.
2. Try to be honest in when writing reviews instead if trying to impress others
Tim R-T-C
1. Respect the film, regardless of genre or budget.
2. Know a film's cinematic parentage. Before reviewing a film of a certain genre watch some films similar to the one you are reviewing so you can properly discuss it.
3. Know the historical/background/source material.
4. Know the background of the film. That way you can provide lots of information.
These are just a few basic ones, if there is something that I missed then tell me by posting and I'll add it to the thread along with your credit. That's why I consider this a project more than a simple guide, and I hope a lot participate and get a lot of people to write their own reviews.
Current Tips:
1. Watch the film and revise your review multiple times
The former isn't something that is required to do, but if you want to write a good quality review then my suggestion is to do it. The latter however is definitely needed. Even a few words mixed up can block your point from getting through and makes your review look sloppy and careless.
2. Use pictures
A single image may be more powerful than a thousand words. It can capture what the viewer will expect when they read your review and watch the film for themselves. It can also be a break from a wall a text that reviews are, especially when they contain lots of information.
3. Have your own style
If you want your reviews to stand out and receive recognition as a reviewer its good to have a special and flamboyant style of your very own. Don't try to copy from other famous reviewers even if originality can be hard. Whether you're gonna go for humor, insightful thoughts, or having a totally different point on films they're all better than ordinary Joe.
4. Don't be afraid to express your thoughts
This is why some people can't achieve tip 3. They're afraid about what other people think and in the end just write plain and boring reviews. Why be afraid? As long as its not something like cursing and swearing at a director like Martin Scorcese its your review, and because its yours you have the right to write anything (well most of them) you want. Haters gonna hate, aligators gonna aligate, and potatoes will potate.
5. The most important thing is to get your point across
Some people try to put sophisticated college words into their reviews to sound intellectual and all that without even knowing what the hell their blabbering about. Even famous reviewers use basic words such as 'hate' and 'like'. A lot of people only see reviews to just check out whether a certain film is bad or good, simple as that. They don't give a damn about what kind of words you used. Be loud and clear.
Captain Spaulding
1. Don't focus too much on plot synopsis. Most people who are interested enough to search for a review usually know what the film is about. Also people tend to get too detailed.
Kaplan
1. Learn and use proper grammar if you want to be taken seriously.
2. Try to be informal.
Christine
1. Spell correctly.
Yoda
1. Entertain the user. They want to read about the actors and stuff but most importantly they want to here about you.
Rodent
1. Have a routine in your reviews. Decided what you will do in each paragraph so that there is consistency.
2. Avoid spoilers, thought if its extremely necessary to have one use a spoiler tag or warn the user beforehand.
MovieMeditation
1. Write in a constructively way. Make sure where a focus ends and begins.
Citizen Rules
1. Brevity....don't write a novella length review.
2. Leave the potty mouth at home.
Godoggo
1. Write in your own vernacular.
2. Try to be honest in when writing reviews instead if trying to impress others
Tim R-T-C
1. Respect the film, regardless of genre or budget.
2. Know a film's cinematic parentage. Before reviewing a film of a certain genre watch some films similar to the one you are reviewing so you can properly discuss it.
3. Know the historical/background/source material.
4. Know the background of the film. That way you can provide lots of information.
Last edited by Gatsby; 01-09-15 at 06:55 PM.