Ask Spling: Episode 30 – How do you become a film critic?
In Episode 30 of ‘Ask Spling: Reel Talk and Real Life’… Spling answers: “How do you become a film critic?”
Spling Verdict
Professional film criticism is far more than passive screening; it demands relentless self-motivation, linguistic precision and the grit to bootstrap an independent brand from scratch. While formal tertiary qualifications establish foundational literacy, sustainable career equity in contemporary cinema analysis comes from building an autonomous platform, proving critical voice through consistent daily output and mastering organic network growth.
Key Insights
Foundational Visual Literacy: Grounding critical analysis in formal academic frameworks – like a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Media, and Visual Studies – sharpens contextual literacy for assessing auteur theories, South African cinema realism, and Hollywood blockbusters alike.
Bootstrapping the Critic’s Ledger: Establishing a dedicated digital home (such as Spling Movies) and sustaining a relentless review-a-day cadence remains the definitive method to cultivate an unmistakable authorial voice, build portfolio authority and secure media footprint.
Organic Audience Scaling: Transitioning from an glorified hobbyist to an accredited critic requires strategic syndicated pitching, portfolio contribution for early reach and expanding critical reach across video, audio, and print entertainment editorial ecosystems.
Sustained Analytical Passion: Surviving the indie entertainment landscape parallels the gig-to-gig journey of working actors; enduring success hinges on combining deep linguistic craft with a strong drive to champion cinema culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a university degree to become a professional film critic?
It depends on your chosen career trajectory and personal discipline. I began my own cinematic path by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural & Literary Studies as part of the Film, Media and Visual Studies programme, which provided invaluable critical context, theoretical rigor and visual literacy. However, a formal degree is certainly not an absolute prerequisite to review cinema professionally. The digital landscape allows independent voices to bypass legacy gatekeepers entirely. What matters far more to editors, readers and festival programmers is your demonstrated knowledge, your distinctive analytical lens and your command of language. A degree provides a head start in film theory, but building a consistent daily portfolio through self-publishing will establish your credibility far quicker than relying solely on paper.
Is breaking into film criticism today harder than it used to be?
Yes, establishing a paid, viable career in independent film criticism is tougher now than ever before. Because long-form criticism is often treated like a dying art form and cultural media budgets have shrunk, breaking into legacy publications as a staff entertainment journalist is exceptionally rare. Aspiring critics face a crowded digital arena where opinions are ubiquitous, meaning you must bootstrap your brand from the ground up. The journey closely resembles that of a struggling actor moving from gig to gig, trading early editorial work for platform exposure until you secure paid opportunities. It requires immense stamina, self-motivation and unconditional passion for film culture to persevere through the lean early years and turn what many view as a glorified hobby into an enduring professional enterprise.
Can you make a living as a film critic by only watching and reviewing movies?
No, being an independent film critic is never just about sitting in a cinema and rating releases. Watching films is simply the tip of the iceberg – the enjoyable cherry on top of a demanding operational reality. Sustaining a modern critical brand requires you to be an entrepreneur, digital publisher and content creator rolled into one. You must actively pitch editors, network across festivals and media junkets, manage syndication channels and build multimedia assets to expand your reach. As your profile matures, your opportunities naturally diversify beyond basic print reviews into broadcasting, podcasting, panel discussions and platform consulting. If you only watch movies, you have a hobby; to build a viable career, you must treat your critical brand as an evolving media business.
