Over the past 12 weeks the ‘role of a critic’ for me personally has changed dramatically. Coming into this class I felt comfortable in my essay writing only through getting substantial results, but this studio really tested my limits about review writing, and how that really does differ from essays.  Throughout the semester the most beneficial elements to me was in class time spent analyzing established critics writing, looking at the style and comparing it to my own work. We had many sessions of doing this from watching a film on a reviewer, reading multiple different reviews on the same film and coming as a group to discuss key components such as word choice and structure.

The best reflection on ‘the role of the critic’ for me is to take it in a chronological order as by now in week 12 my understanding of this had developed to a clearer understanding through different tasks and sessions Alexia advised us to do through class. I really appreciated this on her behalf because everyone works in different ways to get the best possible outcome of their work. From writing on one sentence for 25 minutes to analyzing vulgarity of negative reviews I felt we covered all the basis of how we personally can execute a review satisfying to both ourselves and potential readers.

Earlier in the semester I lacked confidence in sharing my work especially when I felt on unstable grounds of expectations and the standard of work. Shortly I began to realize that this didn’t even matter and everyone was in a very similar boat. Giving and receiving feedback has really advanced this for me as a critic, and was one of the most beneficial reoccurring discussions we had in studio times. Firstly, we began by reading four different reviews on the same film, in this case ‘Edwards Scissorhands’. I found this a good film for reflection of reviews as it was well known for all of us. Picking out the different styles of each piece and comparing them in groups developed for me now to be a better critic in terms of style. Through this the importance of a writer’s voice and word choice became really apparent to me as those who developed similar thoughts as me had me more engaged. Through doing this I began to pick up certain aspects that I wanted to start reflecting in my own work. For example, the use of comparative writing creates an image in the audiences head, which to me I think is a good quality of a critic for those whom may not of seen the film or eaten at that restaurant but can get some sort of understanding through past experiences of what it might be like. Furthermore, after reading different reviews of the same film I was more drawn to those that are conversational. For me personally this was extremely engaging and something I feel my writing could benefit from.

In our sessions we spent a bit of time writing in the studio and then some (not me) sharing it with the class. I was very reluctant to this method at the beginning as I struggle to be put on the spot with my writing and feel it flows at times of my own comfort. One task Alexia made us do was develop on a sentence given to us. I quite enjoyed this as a starting point because you could take it however you pleased, and there was no right or wrong. I always feel uncomfortable sharing my work when there is a right or wrong in hope that I haven’t gone off in my own tangent. When doing this I really worked hard on my word choice to create that vision in a potential viewer’s mind, because myself as a review reader this is what I would want to be given.

Having two different critics coming in and giving advice, Yossi Klein and Alex talked about what they do and giving us different tasks, Alex went over our anonymous reviews and Yossi we went through negative already established pieces. I really appreciated Alex making us write an anonymous review to be read out to the class because my issue of feeling uncomfortable to share my work started to fade. This enhanced my role as a critic as the most important part of this studio is critical feedback of my work and even though this may have started late in the semester at least it began!

Week 9 was a turning point of ‘the role of the critic’ for me. From not needing just advice from Alexia sharing my extremely rough draft in weeks 10 crit session helped me so much. What I have become to realize is that I know what I love to read, and what sticks out to me, but through this studio adapting your writing for the readers is an important part of being a successful critic. Through the whole class discussing my piece for a lengthy amount of time it made me confident with my voice and certain aspects that make me a good writer and what I can improve on.

The mutual respect everyone in the studio everyone has for one another made this studio so enjoyable and effective for my personal changing role of being now, a critic. Everybody became so good at giving feedback in a suitable manner which made myself feel comfortable asking for help knowing (eventually) I wouldn’t just be put down.

I have had a great semester and learnt so much from Alexia that will benefit me in my final year.