Really great read!! I’ve only just started my writing journey, and sometimes I feel self conscious that I don’t have my own voice, or feel robotic more than personal. Many of the points here resonated with me far more than the majority of advice you usually hear from writers, so thank you.
I really enjoyed this. Your point that "you have to know other art" especially resonated with me. I primarily write about books, but I often find myself turning to their film adaptations because they help me notice things I might have missed on the page. Looking at both together has become one of my favorite ways to understand a story more deeply. Thanks for sharing!
I’d love a reading list for your theory authors! I just picked up a Walter Benjamin book on art in the mechanical era, but I’m definitely lookijg for more suggestions.
Beard Cinema Galaxy is my substack. I write film screenplays and stage musicals. If interested in reading weeky content (10 page episodes that drop every Friday at 9 am) then please feel free to join my site. Our current script is AROUND THE WORLD about a reality TV crew and their adventures as they film in countries arounf the globe.
Really great read!! I’ve only just started my writing journey, and sometimes I feel self conscious that I don’t have my own voice, or feel robotic more than personal. Many of the points here resonated with me far more than the majority of advice you usually hear from writers, so thank you.
Thank you! I’m so glad!
I really enjoyed this. Your point that "you have to know other art" especially resonated with me. I primarily write about books, but I often find myself turning to their film adaptations because they help me notice things I might have missed on the page. Looking at both together has become one of my favorite ways to understand a story more deeply. Thanks for sharing!
Good piece!
Thank you! To anyone in these comments btw Brendan is the best Letterboxd account to follow !!
you’re very kind, sorry I missed you at MB last night, I was next door for Rose of Nevada
Great advice that also applies to music criticism and, I'm assuming, all the other kinds as well.
Great piece. And just reminds me how I'm a bit too guilty of making my whole life only about movies lol.
good as hell, thank you
Reading about a film essentially multiplies how much you get to enjoy (or even dislike) it
Reading about writing about film feels like almost too great an indulgence
Thanks as always for the acuity and inspiration <3
Literally discussed this very topic with a friend yesterday. What a coincidence
Good piece, Reminded me of the points that Mamet makes about storytelling
great article! I lowkey started reading it as if it was part of my course
This is really wonderful ❤️ thank you! Do you have any books on criticism you would suggest? Thank you!
I’d love a reading list for your theory authors! I just picked up a Walter Benjamin book on art in the mechanical era, but I’m definitely lookijg for more suggestions.
Beard Cinema Galaxy is my substack. I write film screenplays and stage musicals. If interested in reading weeky content (10 page episodes that drop every Friday at 9 am) then please feel free to join my site. Our current script is AROUND THE WORLD about a reality TV crew and their adventures as they film in countries arounf the globe.
I have not read this yet; I am bookmarking it to read later. I expect to enjoy it.
I just want to mention, when I see the prompt "how to write about film", my reflex is to say:
"The way Paul Attanasio wrote about it when he was reviewing movies for the Washington Post in the 1980s!!!!"
really enjoyed reading this, helped me lock in on something i was writing!
loves this, and so many good references , and sources mentioned! ❤️✨