The tasks for Moving Images are based on the types of writing associated with film and media. They analyse and make judgements about the moving images which are their subject. You could be asked to write a film review, a script, a voiceover or the words to a TV advert. The most common task is the film review.

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Film Review

Planning

You should begin by watching the film. Remember to take notes during the film to help you write the review afterwards. It is a good idea to take notes about the plot, the characters and your initial impressions. You will be giving your opinion about whether or not your reader should go and see the film.

Before you begin writing the review, identify the genre features, audience, purpose, and style of your review. This will help you ensure that your review achieves what you want it to.

Genre Features

One thing that distinguishes film reviews from other writing is the use of technical film language. Make sure that you include some of this language and that you use it correctly. It could be as simple as using the following words: audience, sound effects, genre, music, cinematic experience, editing or special effects.

Audience

Consider who will read your review. For instance, are you writing a review for a film club or for a newspaper? Make sure that you cover the points that your intended audience will expect to see in your review. One way to identify your audience is to choose a particular newspaper or magazine that you want to write for and then consider who reads that publication.

Purpose

Consider what the purpose of your review is. Possible purposes include:

• Description – describing the story, the characters and the plot.
• Information – providing readers with information about the director, the actors and the location and timing of the film.
• Opinion/analysis – giving an opinion on whether the overall film is good or not, and analyse which aspects contribute to making it effective and which aspects do not.
• Advice – advising the reader whether or not he or she should see the film.

Style

Make sure that your writing is clear and accessible. Once you are clear about who your audience is, this should help you work out your style. For instance, if you are writing an informal review for a film club, you might use more informal language and tone, such as using some slang and addressing the reader as ‘you’, adopting a friendly, chatty style.

If you are writing for a particular publication, it might be helpful to read through some articles or reviews in that publication to identify the style which they are written in.