Five Stars! How to Become a Film Critic, The World's Greatest Job [Paperback]

Christopher Null (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005

So you want to be a film critic and review movies for a living? Veteran film critic Christopher Null teaches you, step by step, how to break into the business with the lessons he's learned from more than a decade in the industry. Five Stars! will teach you all you need to know!
- Understand movie history and the mechanics of filmmaking -- without the film snob jargon!
- Learn how to write a review, step by step
- Get into every movie for free and never pay to go to the movies again!
- Get free DVDs -- before anyone else!
- Break into professional writing in newspapers, magazines, and online
- Launch a movie review website, recruit staff, and start your own business as a critic
- Learn how to approach editors -- from the experts themselves
- Build an audience for your work
- Interview celebrities and hang out with the stars!
Five Stars! is the only book on the market that shows you exactly how to become a professional movie reviewer, step by step! It's an absolute must-read for any aspiring film critic! 256 pages -- packed with essential information!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The founder of the Web site filmcritic.com offers his take on the business and philosophy of film crit, based on his experiences with the site. Null focuses on the Internet as "the world's great media liberator," and argues that it's the best way for a beginner to get published. He then, over about 100 pages, takes the reader through the mechanics of actually writing a review. For someone just starting out this may be the most valuable part of the book, from sections on "Judging Cinematography" to internalizing "The Point of a Movie Review." Later chapters on the business aspects of film writing ease neophytes into a difficult market. Null also includes a list of "300 Must-See Films for the Aspiring Critic," a good starting point for anyone looking to learn more about the movies. While this is a useful book for those who simply want to write reviews for a blog-sized audience, writers looking to break into prestige publications should probably seek advice elsewhere.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Anyone who wants to know about film reviewing ... would do well to read this book! -- BookPleasures, June 2005

I guarantee you will come away watching movies with a different – and more informed – perspective -- Blogcritics, July 2005

Neophyte reviewers will be far better prepared for the rigors of popular cinema -- James Wegg Review, August 2005

Null is like a film professor you always wanted, but never had. -- Film Threat, July 2005

a can't miss proposition for would-be critics and filmmaking hobbyists -- MyMac, June 2005

a fantastic little book! ... a very solid investment! -- Hollywood Bitchslap, July 2005

a gem! -- New York Resident, August 2005

a truly marvelous guide to making your dreams a reality, without all the snobby film school bunk -- Rangelife, June 2005

an honest, clear and thorough guide to becoming a film critic -- The Compulsive Reader, August 2005

essential reading for wannabe film critics! -- Memosaic, June 2005

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sutro Press (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972098119
• ISBN-13: 978-0972098113
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on movies and being a film critic, October 3, 2005

By 

T. Cronian (Montgomery, Al USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Stars! How to Become a Film Critic, The World's Greatest Job (Paperback)

Other reviewers have gone into great detail about what's in this book so I won't repeat their efforts. Simply put, this book is written by a critic, Christopher Null, which knows movies and can put that knowledge on paper in an informative and still entertaining way. Each point he makes in this book includes at least one movie as an example and it's obvious by the movie titles he lists that he has watched thousands of them. This is a must buy for anyone that wants to be a film critic (or already believe they are one) and a highly recommended purchase for those of you, like me, that simply love watching movies.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars makes it easy, August 10, 2005

By 

Robert (SAN FRANCISCO, US, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Stars! How to Become a Film Critic, The World's Greatest Job (Paperback)

If you're one of the millions who dream of turning your love of cinema into a lifelong vocation, you need to read Five Stars. This is the only book on the market today that tells you, step by step, exactly how to break into this business.

Without weighing you down with a bunch of worthless theory that means nothing in the real world, Five Stars quickly gets down to the nitty gritty. In this book, Christopher Null, one of the most widely published and respected movie critics on the internet, walks you through every phase of your personal development on the path to a successful career.

The tips in Five Stars clearly show you how to:
-Educate yourself about the larger world of cinema
-Become a smarter and more active movie goer
-Communicate your thoughts coherently
-Write lively, entertaining movie reviews
-Find outlets to publish your work

Even with the best guidance in the world, becoming a successful film critic isn't easy. But Five Stars will arm you with the knowledge you need to roll up your sleeves and put your talent to work. Whether you're a young upstart with a passion for movies or an established critic with years of experience, this book is a must-have for your personal library.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What other rating could you give it?, July 1, 2005

By 

Eric Meyerson (The 415) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Stars! How to Become a Film Critic, The World's Greatest Job (Paperback)

"Five Stars" deserves five stars.

I read an early edition from Sutro Press, and "Five Stars" is truly a marvelous guide to making your dreams a reality, without any film school snobbery to weigh it down. The book surveys all the stuff you need to know to write credibly about movies, coaches you through the writing process, and even provides excellent tips on how to get your words published.

The author is a web entrepreneur, a seasoned magazine editor, and even a novelist, so he really knows what he's writing about, and that really comes through in the book. Whether you want to pursue film review as a career or even as an occasional hobby, or you just want to go see a lot of new movies and DVDs for free, this book is a fabulous way to start.