Video/Film Review Criteria And Elements For Academic Writing

Video/Film Review Criteria and Elements for Academic Writing

The quality of your paper depends on the level of organization you implement. Never underestimate the importance of well-structured outline, regardless of the type of paper you have to write. Outlines help you focus on the subject and contribute to a logical flow. Here's how to organize your video/film review:

• Introduction (title, release date, background information)
• Summary of the video/film
• Creative elements (dialogues, characters, use of colors, camera techniques, mood, tone, symbols, or anything that contributes or takes away from the overall video/film)
• Opinion (supported with examples and facts from the video/film)
• Conclusion (announcing whether the filmmaker was successful in his/her purpose, re-state your evidence, explain how the video/film was helpful for providing a deeper understanding of a course topic)

Video/Film Review Elements

The title of the film/documentary – just because your headline features the name of the video/film, it doesn’t mean you should skip mentioning it in the text. Always name the feature you’ve watched in the introductory paragraph. This may seem like a stupid thing to point out, but it’s one of the most common mistakes that students make.

Summary – the whole point of the review is to summarize the video/film for people who haven’t watched it yet. To make this as effective as possible, always assume that your professor hasn’t seen it either (as mentioned above). Why is this important? You won’t leave out some important details thinking he/she watched it already so they won’t bother.

As a reviewer, your job is to explain what happened in the video/film and express whether the filmmaker failed or succeeded. Again, saying you liked or disliked it isn’t a viable comment. Your opinion has to be supported by specific reasons and examples from the feature itself.

Significance to the class – How does the content of the video/film fit into your course topic?

Creative elements – filmmakers work hard to include creative elements into their motion pictures. How are these elements important to the video/film in general? Colors can be vivid and lift the atmosphere or mood in the movie or they can be dull and make it seem depressing. Moreover, camera movements and angles also add elements to the story. Take notes of symbols in the story, if any.

Checklist / Outline for a Good Video/Film Review

• Introduction (title, topic, release date, background information)
• Accuracy of depiction
• Use of sources in the film
• Creative elements that enhance or tarnish the overall story (visual design, performance, set design, symbolism, etc.)
• Your opinion
• Conclusion

Mistakes to Avoid

• Not focusing on the video/film – strive to avoid writing about unnecessary details or introducing irrelevant information
• Inserting yourself – the paper reflects your understanding and opinion of the video/film you’ve seen, and there is no need to write in first person all the time: I noticed this…, I saw that…, I liked this…, I disliked that…
• Giving out your opinion without mentioning any reason why you think that way
• Talking about irrelevancies
• Writing a review without a structure
• Writing generalities such as great acting, cool effects, a good video, it was bad,…
• Writing a review without substance or analysis of the video/film

Paper For Above instruction

The film "The Social Network" (2010), directed by David Fincher, serves as a compelling narrative that chronicles the creation of Facebook and the tumultuous rise of its founder Mark Zuckerberg. Released in October 2010, the film provides a dramatized yet insightful depiction of entrepreneurial ambition, friendship, and the complexities of modern social media. This review aims to summarize the film's content, analyze its creative elements, evaluate its significance to a course on digital media, and offer an informed critique of its success as a cinematic piece.

The film begins with Zuckerberg's initial idea for sharing a new social network at Harvard University, quickly expanding to other Ivy League colleges. It portrays his technical brilliance juxtaposed against personal conflicts, legal battles, and betrayals. The narrative emphasizes Zuckerberg's obsessive drive to innovate and dominate the social media landscape, often at the expense of personal relationships. The storytelling method combines sharp dialogue, fast-paced editing, and a dark, moody color palette that reflects the story's tense atmosphere.

From a creative perspective, "The Social Network" employs several notable elements that contribute to its impact. The dialogue is sharp and intellectually charged, embodying the tone of rivalry and ambition. The performances, especially Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg, effectively convey a complex character driven by a mixture of insecurity and determination. The film's use of color is subdued, emphasizing shadows and muted tones that evoke the modern digital age's cold, impersonal nature. Camera techniques such as close-ups and quick cuts intensify the emotional stakes, heightening viewer engagement with the characters' inner conflicts. The symbolism of the computer screens, coding sequences, and the iconic Facebook logo reinforces themes of connectivity and alienation.

In my opinion, the film succeeds in providing a nuanced portrayal of the technological revolution that reshaped social interactions. The storytelling balances technical details with emotional depth, making it accessible to audiences unfamiliar with coding or Silicon Valley jargon. For instance, the depiction of the early coding sessions emphasizes Zuckerberg's genius, while the courtroom scenes illustrate the human costs of rapid success. The film's structure effectively highlights the contrasts between innovation and betrayal, encapsulating the complex moral landscape of entrepreneurship.

The film's significance to a course on digital media lies in its exploration of how social networks influence identity, privacy, and societal norms. It raises questions about intellectual property, collaboration, and the ethical dilemmas faced by tech entrepreneurs. "The Social Network" demonstrates how digital platforms can both empower and isolate individuals, offering insights into the cultural shifts driven by social media’s proliferation.

Overall, "The Social Network" is a successful cinematic exploration of one of the most influential technological developments of the 21st century. Its creative use of visual design, compelling performances, and thought-provoking themes make it a valuable resource for understanding digital innovation's human dimension. The film's ability to humanize the figures behind Facebook while critically examining their actions makes it both educational and engaging, fulfilling its purpose of providing a deeper understanding of the social media phenomenon.

References

• Baer, J. (2011). The social network: A study of entrepreneurship, social capital, and innovation. Journal of Business Venturing, 26(5), 537-544.
• Fincher, D. (Director). (2010). The Social Network [Film]. Columbia Pictures.
• Smith, A. (2012). Social media and society: An introduction. Routledge.
• Hampton, K. N., Goulet, L. S., Rozenblum, S., & Sessions, L. (2017). Social media and social isolation: A review. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 34(4), 477-494.
• Van Dijck, J. (2013). The culture of connectivity: A critical history of social media. Oxford University Press.
• Boyd, D. (2014). It's complicated: The social lives of networked teens. Yale University Press.
• Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook “friendrship”. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4), 1143-1168.
• Marshall, P. D. (2014). Social media within the cultural industries. Routledge.
• Rheingold, H. (2012). Net smart: How to thrive online. MIT Press.
• Tufekci, Z. (2015). Algorithmic harms beyond Facebook and Google: Emergent challenges of computational agency. Colorado Technology Law Journal, 13, 203-218.