This might not be for everyone however it could be a fun activity to try amongst friends or even as a hobby for couples. Now we’re not saying that you should be thinking about spending all your time doing this and turning it into a chore it’s purely for fun. It can be educational and interesting to watch a film in a different light. Try thinking about simple things such as teaching yourself to read better or asking yourself why you did or didn’t like something and reasons behind them.
It’s a skill that could be worth developing and fun at the same time because it’s one of the main ways in which you learn what makes a film good for you and for the people you’re doing it with. It can really get you to learn a lot about each other.
Once you figure out the answers to certain questions like why did I get angry from that? or how come you got emotional but I didn’t? You can begin to learn about those strengths and weaknesses yourself. Have a look at some of the things you can do to watch a film like a critic at home.
Watch The Film With Your Undivided Attention
Try as much as you can to watch the film at least once with all of your attention and try your hardest to really listen and understand what’s going on. It’s best to create a quiet relaxed atmosphere, go to the toilet, have quiet snacks available and make sure everyone is on the same wavelength and understands that’s it’s important to be quiet. A lot of people now use casting as an option so if this is how you’re choosing to enjoy your film make sure you have a decent Wifi connection and know how to chromecast from a Mac and Android before you start. As human beings, we’re naturally really bad at giving just one thing our undivided attention, so imagine how difficult it could be if you’re watching a film that’s 2 or 3 hours long. Just try your hardest, it can definitely be easy to want to check out where that familiar actor is from, who sings that song that’s in the background and start pausing to go and get yourself some more snacks or start flicking through Facebook and Instagram or nipping to the bathroom.
Of course, films are now made with this in mind and directors often cleverly introduce a character more than once, repeat plot points and try to draw you in at the important parts just to make sure you follow the film, this makes them particularly successful, any filmmaker though will not have this as their primary attention so try, just once, to watch the film as they intended. Even if that means having a few hours quiet on your date night as a couple, it can be surprisingly comforting just sitting in each other company.
If you really want to get into the mode of a critic then watching a film again and again is the way to do it, even if you’re able to give your undived attention the first time you are bound to see something that you didn’t the first time or even look at characters in a different light now that you know what happens at the end, it can be really interesting to reassess a character when you watch something for a second or this time around.
Once you’ve sat back enjoyed the film, maybe watched it a few times with people or alone it’s time to start thinking about the film with the mind of a critic. You could get a group together to discuss the film, have a light debate with your partner and compare your thoughts and feeling or maybe even just start a Whatsapp group for an easy chat about the film. Here are a few things to get you started:
- Think About What Was Explored- Think about how well you understood the plot, does everyone think the same about it? Or is there a variety of takes? Every film that is made has a theme and a plot that they want to follow and at times they have a hidden meaning you a general message they are trying to get across, see if you and your friends can decipher this message and come to an agreeance on what the director was trying to do with it.
- Was It Love or Hate, Why?- It’s often the case that someone who is watching a film uncritically will know whether they enjoyed it or not, and simply say it was good or bad, not really thinking about that why. It can sometimes be down to things as simple as an actor they don’t like or the film was too long. Try having a think about why you disliked it or why you loved it instead of a ‘just because’ maybe deep down it was because you wanted the plot to go in a different direction or you related to one of the characters more than others, you will find that everyone will have a different view when looking at a film this way.
- Start Analysing Sounds, Lighting and Production- This can be a hard one but again something different and interesting to talk about. Trying thinking about what the crew is doing and the involvement they have had in the film rather than just if someone is a good or bad actor. At the end of the day, a big part of the film is the production and this relies on the skill of the team, they may have done a fantastic job getting all the features and intend effects out or they could have missed vital parts. Either way, try picking up on these and sparking a discussion.
- Compare The Directors Films- Some people don’t even think about other films that a director may have produced whereas other will watch a film merely because it’s by a director that has previously done a fantastic film. A fun topic is to compare this film with other films from the same director. Have they used a similar theme? Similar plot? Or maybe even simple effects? You may even find your next film to watch.
It’s important to remember that just because a film keeps you on edge it may not be the same for your friend. It’s easy to think that everyone should share opinions however by watching films at home and holding discussions with friends and family you are able to learn about you and them, it can be really valuable to figure out why your opinion might differ from other people’s. At the end of the day, everyone is different so it’s expected that they will react differently to each film.
So, it’s time to pop on that first film, start learning about you and others and enjoy where it takes you. Please share some of your findings in the comments section below.
