Your average cinephile may itch with anticipation before a new blockbuster release, but unless you have a legitimate review platform, the chances of getting that coveted screener are slim. Fortunately, becoming something of a film critic is probably easier than ever, provided you have the necessary writing skills and a willingness to harass publicists. Learn how to get screenings here.
Start writing about movies
Screeners aren’t available for every movie buff – a lot of people are excited about the movie and look forward to the Oscars. However, unless you write about movies regularly, it will be difficult to convince a publicist to send you a screener.
Your chances, however, are probably better than in the heyday of the old media, when professional critics occupied a touted niche in major newspapers and magazines. To do this, you can start small, write about movies on your own blog, or do movie reviews and criticism at news outlets, including smaller movie blogs where the barrier to entry may be lower.
You can also start writing audience reviews of Rotten Tomatoes and start earning your streaks by eventually becoming a verified reviewer on the site or by leaving one of the more established reviews independent blogs It started as an upstart being built from scratch.
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Definitely, There is good advice There is information on how to start your own movie blog, but only dive in if your passion supports you.
To be accredited
While there isn’t a formal process that works across the board, the main method for gaining this type of legitimacy is to publish articles and show your work to a publicist who can send you screeners.
Each path to accreditation is a little different, but a Patheos blog as of 2015 explains some of the insights movie publicists and marketers will be interested in when you decide to knock on their doors:
You should be able to provide circulation figures (or analysis for Internet publications). How many people read your reviews? How often do you publish? (Are you writing a 400 word per month review for a local newspaper or multiple reviews per week for your own blog?)
Join a film critic society
Belonging to professional societies can open big doors to earn screeners – but of course there are usually some barriers to entry before a society lets you join (even the smaller ones). If you are a freelancer, check out local film review circles and find a membership with the Editorial Freelancers Union;; If you’re lucky enough to be a co-worker anywhere, you could push for a union Contract with the Writer’s Guild of America or any other union representing writers. Belonging to such an organization only further solidifies a professional writer’s reputation. (Lifehacker and his colleagues at G / O Media are members of the Writers Guild of America, East.)
If you’re really serious about getting screeners, you need to check out the movies right away so the gatekeepers know you’re not just trying to command free prey. Most of all, you have to ask – perhaps repeatedly – about publicists who send you screeners.
If all else fails, look for free demonstrations
If you’re having trouble catching screeners, you can always stay on the lookout for screenings. These are basically public events where the film in question is shown to an audience. Of course, movie screenings are still not safe in this pandemic era Vaccines floating around and new cases falling It is possible (for now) that you will be in line for one within a year.
There are several websites geared towards potential screening attendees. Sites like Gofobo and STX screeningsas well as demonstrations of various Production Companies You Can Relate To. For many of these websites, all you need to do is enter your zip code to get screenings in your area that are still available. These events are usually intended for invited media representatives, but non-media people are regularly invited. This might at least get the ball moving for you, especially if you’re trying to get in touch with PR folks who can send you screeners once your bonafides are more obvious.
A note of caution: screeners may sound wonderful, especially when we ungodly spend a lot of time in isolation and at home, but be careful what you want. Once you provide your address and inbox to certain publicists, you may soon be buried under an overwhelming flood of emails and DVDs.
