I want to start writing video essays/reviews for YouTube, but I feel like I'm not always great at properly digging deep into a film and analysing it. For example, in films with more subtle writing, I sometimes find it difficult to really understand themes/arcs, then even more difficult to put it into words. I'm planning on starting up a YouTube channel for film/TV discussion, so any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Comments
TheTurtleShepard t1_ja063c0 wrote
Well to get better the best thing to do is practice, watch movies, read analysis and over time you will be able to develop those skills on your own. There are a lot of common themes and common symbols that are used which can help.
Although I seriously question the why you would want to start writing video essays when you said yourself you are not good at analyzing film and even less good at articulating your analysis. Which are the two most important parts of a video essay
Joseots t1_ja066ah wrote
IMHO, there is an opportunity to just give your honest take on the movie without delving into the themes, or over-analyzing. For the general public, they just wanna know if the funny movie was funny or if the scary movie was scary.
Reviewers tend to go way too deep into stuff that most regular folks who are munching on popcorn don’t care about.
NeebCreeb t1_ja073my wrote
Serious question: If you don't have practice and experience analyzing films why would you start a Youtube channel doing it? That's like making a woodworking channel if you've never used a saw.
No_Cap_822 t1_ja07maf wrote
No_Cap_822 t1_ja07skw wrote
Just start.
You will probably suck at first, but pretty much everybody sucks at first.
Not everybody reviews themes/arcs, so you don’t have to either. Plus, it’s your channel and your videos, do whatever the fuck your want
ANorris18 OP t1_ja07ym5 wrote
That's why I want to learn and see if it's something I can click with. I love films and love watching reviews/analysis on them. I wanna see if that's something I can get into. There's not a lot riding on it. I just want to give it a go, I guess
ANorris18 OP t1_ja085y8 wrote
That's why I want to learn more and get better to see if it is potentially something I could get into.
Krak2511 t1_ja08vmk wrote
Check out this 1.5 hour video, I've only watched the first half so far but it seems useful for you.
ANorris18 OP t1_ja092nw wrote
I saw that on my feed earlier. I'm gonna definitely check it out when I have the time
charleyismyhero t1_ja09zcl wrote
Just do it. When you hit a part you don’t understand, just be honest. “I don’t really get this. Audience, what do you think it means?” You know what people love? Telling you what they think. So let them.
WeDriftEternal t1_ja0bbqu wrote
Read some basic screenwriting books like Save the Cat, which is basically -the- book every single person writing in hollywood reads and every good reviewer has read 10 times
NeebCreeb t1_ja0cuta wrote
So start with writing blogs or reviews on Reddit or your own page. Putting the time and effort into scripting, recording and editing a Youtube video before you even have a grasp of the core underpinnings of the endeavor seems wasteful.
I get the feeling you want to be a Youtube movie reviewer more than you want to review movies.
ANorris18 OP t1_ja0n9iv wrote
Thanks, I'll check it out!
cynic74 t1_ja0o8uh wrote
Go read a bunch of film reviews and take notes of the things they discuss the most?
rofopp t1_ja2uwt4 wrote
ChatGPT and add a little flair
mikeyfreshh t1_ja05z3b wrote
The best advice I can give you is to just do it. You're probably going to be pretty bad at first. That's okay. You'll get better. The more you think about this kind of stuff, the better you'll get at it and you'll develop a system that works for you. Just don't get discouraged when you inevitably flop at first.