Should I Become a Film Critic?
Film critics review movies and offer their opinions on the acting, writing, editing and cinematography, among other aspects. The movie critic job description includes providing readers with an analysis of the film and comparing the plot and story line to similar movies within the same genre. In some instances, film critics may also vote on films during award season.
Film critics should have good communication and writing skills. One aspect of how to be a film critic on television is to be proficient in public speaking. Film critic salary in general is about the same as that for writers and authors.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | None; bachelor's degree may be preferred |
| Degree Field(s) | Film studies, journalism |
| Experience | Internships; previous writing experience |
| Key Skills | Writing and communication skills; writing samples (portfolio) |
| Median Salary (2020) | $67,120 (for writers and authors) |
How to Become a Film Critic
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Given the success of movie review websites, such as Rotten Tomatoes and MetaCritic, many viewers have come to rely on the perspectives of film critics when deliberating the worthiness of films. While there are no specific requirements on how to become a paid movie critic, earning a bachelor's degree in journalism, film studies, English or another related field may be necessary to work in the field. A four-year bachelor's degree program in film studies includes courses in all aspects of the industry. Film critic university courses include: the history of film, film theory, screenwriting, and the study of different genres, such as musicals, horror, and film noir.
Success Tip:
Gain experience while in school. Aspiring film critics can begin a career working for a school newspaper reviewing films. Some programs may also provide internship opportunities with local companies that give a firsthand view of working in a reporting environment or even the chance to interact with professionals in film critic jobs.
Step 2: Become a Film Buff
In order to review films successfully, you have to know the intricate world of cinema. Become acquainted with different directors and study their styles, paying close attention to aesthetic differences in art direction, cinematography, plot development, and even musical scores. The more you know about film, the more effectively you'll be able to compare and contrast the works of different artists.
Step 3: Obtain Entry-Level Work
Upon graduation, future film critics could continue their newspaper or radio station experience by applying for entry-level positions at print or online publication companies, or at radio or television stations. Although a new hire's first position probably won't involve critiquing films, getting a foot in the door is the most important first step to segueing into a sought-after position in the future. In addition, it could provide you with a paid method of bolstering your writing skills.
Step 4: Build Your Reputation
The more film critiques you publish, and the more recognized your name becomes, the more opportunities you may have. While working toward becoming a professional film critic, think about writing your own independent reviews. Many people rely on film critiques provided by amateur and organized websites, blogs and online resources that are easier to access than newspapers and other printed publications. Beginning film critics can set up their own website or blog and post reviews, and use the experience and samples later on when pursuing a paid film critic position.
Just to recap, a bachelor's degree in film studies, journalism, or a closely related major may help you qualify for a position as a film critic. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide employment and movie critic salary information, it does expect job openings for writers and authors in general to decline by 9% between 2020 and 2030. In May 2020, writers and authors overall earned a median salary of $67,120 a year, which includes movie critic salary.
