Episode 214: Entertainment Blogging w/ Josh Sharpe

In this episode, Jason and Christian provide a year-in-review and updates on their documentary films. They also introduce guest Josh Sharpe, a film/entertainment/theater journalist. Josh shares his background in reporting for cinema and offers tips for conducting interviews. The importance of reviews for filmmakers is discussed, along with the different types of interviews and the process of film reviewing. In this conversation Josh Sharpe discusses the world of movie reviews and how it has evolved with technology. He talks about how some reviewers start their own movie review websites or blogs to review what they want. He emphasizes the importance of writing about and watching as many movies as possible to develop one’s own taste and to stay informed. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology on film criticism, including the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and podcasting.

Takeaways:

• Starting a personal movie review website or blog is a great way for aspiring film critics to practice their writing and review the films they want.
• Writing about and watching as many movies as possible is important for developing one’s own taste and staying informed about the film industry.
• Technology has greatly influenced film criticism, with platforms like TikTok and podcasting providing new avenues for people to share their opinions on movies.
• Film reviewers should strive for objectivity and avoid potential conflicts of interest, such as being paid to promote a movie they are reviewing.

DocuView DéjàVu:

Josh Sharpe: Best Worst Thing That Could Have Ever Happened, 2016, 95 mins, Watch (Rent/Buy) on Prime or Apple TV, IMDB Link:

Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (2016) – IMDb

Jason: Greta Gerwig & James Cameron from Variety – Directors on Directors Series, 42:21 mins, YouTube, Link:

Greta Gerwig & James Cameron | Directors on Directors

Christian: A fiction film, “Leave The World Behind”, 2023, 138 mins, Genres: Psychological Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Watch on Netflix, IMDB Link:

Leave the World Behind (2023) – IMDb

The Movie Proposal Podcast link:

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Recap
01:10 Year in Review and Patreon Support
05:25 Update on “The Girl Who Wore Freedom”
08:08 Update on “Heroes of Carentan”
10:32 Introduction of Guest Josh Sharpe
11:18 Josh Sharpe’s Background in Entertainment Reporting
14:21 Tips for Conducting Interviews
19:05 Importance of Reviews for Filmmakers
27:18 Different Types of Interviews
38:39 The Process of Film Reviewing
43:14 Starting a Movie Review Website
45:17 Evolution of Film Criticism with Technology
53:16 Future Goals in Film Criticism
57:28 DocuView DéjàVu: “Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened”
01:00:14 DocuView DéjàVu: “Variety’s Directors on Directors with Greta Gerwig and James Cameron”
01:03:30 DocuView DéjàVu: “Leave the World Behind”
01:05:26 Film Review: “Wonka”