Overview
Pick up a film which you like and write a play critique.
1. Your critique should be 2 to 3 pages, typed, double spaced, and should include:
- The name of the play or film version of the play, and playwright, or screenwriter
- The name of the director if it is listed online
- The date you saw the online version of the play or film, and the online link to the
version you saw, such as Youtube.
. Genre/Style of the Play, or Film version of the play, or Film – Examples are
Realism, Symbolism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Absurdism, Musical Theater,
Musical Comedy, Tragedy, Drama
. Themes in the play - what was the main message of the play if you had to
summarize what the play meant to you?
. Do not summarize the plot
. Set Design - comments about the set, or various sets if you are comparing one video
clip to another (include the link so I can watch it) colors, levels, specific set pieces
that stood out to you
. Costume Design - style, colors, time period of the play (or film)
. Lighting Design - colors, specific stage areas lit, whatever you can detect watching
online. Was the play performed indoors or outdoors? (For example, Shakespeare by
the Sea’s version of The Winter’s Tale was performed outdoors, but during the day for
Part I, at night for Part II)
. Staging and blocking - what was visually interesting if anything? Levels, amount
of movement on stage, rhythm, pacing, technical specificity if there are a lot of people
onstage at the same time
. Acting - What characters did you relate to the most? What characters did you
believe the most? Which characters did you not believe or relate to? If you were
cast in this play or film , which character would you want to play and why?
. Directing - were the scene transitions smooth? Did you feel involved in the story?
Did you go on the character’s journey while watching it?
12. Other questions to consider:
a. How did the play or film make you feel? Were you moved, surprised, sad, bored,
confused, entertained, scared? What specifically affected you - even if it was
only film clips? (Acting and Design elements)
Spelling and punctuation are important!
Those 2 files are examples for you!
Again, 2 to 3 pages are enough!
Remember to note the version you watched.