If you have a passion for watching and discussing films that extends beyond the silver screen, not to mention a gift for writing and a desire to share your thoughts about film with the public, then now is the time to consider a career as a film critic. It is the perfect opportunity to blend your love for cinema into an employment opportunity in which you can earn money. Continue reading this guide to gain the information you need on how to become a film critic.

• Do you enjoy spending your free time sitting in large, empty movie theaters? Do you revel in watching your favorite Hollywood stars glide across the screen, whether in the throes of passion, chasing one another with guns or making you laugh so hard you just want to cry? Finally, are you a skilled writer and orator, someone that is able to break down ideas for the masses, conveying to the public what makes a film strong or weak, but more importantly, whether it is worth spending two hours of your time watching? If so, you might just be cut out to be a film critic.

Attending a screening (Creative Commons photo by ethanlindsey)

• Film critics analyze and evaluate movies for the purpose of providing prospective viewers with additional information on a film that may aid in their overall movie selection process. Job duties include:

1. Attending film screenings and providing commentary
2. Watching movie screeners, which are usually new film releases, special editions or reissues
3. Providing movie reviews based on the screeners

• Since there is no formal training involved in becoming a film critic, the aspiring critic should self-educate by doing the following:

1. Learn about films: this includes reading about all aspects of the film industry as well as the film making process. You may also attend classes or workshops addressing industry-related subjects.
2. Watch films: see as many movies as possible, both on DVD and at the theater.
3. Learn how to write reviews: this means reading as many film reviews as possible.

• Now it's time to quit procrastinating and start writing! Find websites looking for film reviews, even if they are not paying you. A majority of online film reviewers start out submitting reviews without pay, but gradually begin to receive money as their experience increases and they begin to build a hefty list of places they have been published.

(Creative Commons photo by hellochris)

• There are three main mediums you may choose to showcase your talent as a film critic:

1. Print media: this includes movie reviews featured in newspapers and magazines
2. Television: this mainly includes shows featuring established film critics like Roger Ebert
3. Radio: some film critics are featured on various radio programs
4. Internet: this is one of the main places for film critics to get started. There are many websites devoted exclusively to film reviews such as filmcritic, while others have featured sections devoted to movie reviews like Entertainment Weekly. Others, like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, compile reviews from online sources like the above. They often list online reviews that were featured in various print media too.

• If you enjoy watching and studying films, and you possess a gift for writing, then why not put your skills to use as a film critic? Not only will you get paid to watch movies, but you will also get to see them for free and before they are released.

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