Sight and Sound magazine Masterclass

How do you write reviews, columns, and features about film? How do you enter the world of film journalism? This BFI masterclass in Film Writing, led by distinguished film critic and historian Pamela Hutchinson, will answer these questions, and give you hands-on practical advice, whether you’re taking your first steps or are already an experienced film critic.

This 90 minute session will begin with an introduction to Sight and Sound magazine, its history and what makes it distinctive. Pamela will also discuss routes into film journalism and her writing for Sight and Sound, including reviews, features, her monthly column and a weekly newsletter, film criticism and journalism.

Pamela will focus on how to write for Sight and Sound: from the tone and level of analysis required, to the different sections of the magazine and how to write a review (with synopsis). She will also brief you on how to pitch an article to the editors. 

In advance, you will need to watch Blue Jean on BFI Player using your free BFI Player subscription for discussion during the session. Blue Jean is a BFI funded film and its director, Georgia Oakley, was nominated at the BAFTAs in 2023 for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. You can read an interview with Georgia from February 2023, in which she reflects on the legacy of section 28. In light of recent news about sex education in the UK, it is very timely: https://www.bfi.org.uk/interviews/blue-jean-georgia-oakley-section-28

You can find a synopsis of the film on BFI Player: https://player.bfi.org.uk/subscription/film/watch-blue-jean-2022-online

In the session Pamela will discuss how to approach writing about the film for the purpose of the review. You will also be invited to write a 300-400 word review of the film after the masterclass, and anyone who sends in a review will receive individual feedback.

This session will also include the opportunity for a Q&A so participants can ask questions and get under the skin of film journalism and criticism.

Pamela Hutchinson is a freelance writer, critic, film historian and curator. She writes for Sight and Sound, Criterion, Indicator, the Guardian and Empire and regularly appears on BBC radio. She is also the editor of Sight and Sound’s Weekly Film Bulletin, an email newsletter. Her publications include the BFI Film Classics on Pandora's Box and on The Red Shoes, as well as 30-Second Cinema (Ivy Press) and essays in several edited collections.

To sign up, go to Screen Writing Masterclass Form . A Zoom link will be issued to participants in advance of the event.