Chat with Jennifer Homans

I spoke with Jennifer Homans today. Turns out I didn't need to ask her any questions. What I really needed was for her to listen to what I've been doing and provide a bit of insight.

She got pretty excited about the idea of visualizing a review. She also said it's going to be really difficult. Here are things I should keep in mind:

1. Seriously think about what the pointe shoes add to your story. Are the pointe shoes a subject for reportage? How can they work within the review format. How will they further my opinion?

2. What is my opinion? I need to decide what I want this review to say. I need to figure out the review can visualize my opinion. Right now, my question isn't about how well the dancers dance the roles. My question for this review is: Does this performance work in an arena?

3. Jennifer said that this question should work like a mini thesis question throughout the film. "You will need a really clear outline that moves to a central point, just like writing," she said.

4. To figure out what I want to visualize, maybe I should write a review first, and use that as my working outline.

5. She stressed how important it will be to clarify my ideas: "What you leave out is as important as what you include." Again, what is my argument?

6. Jennifer also said to make sure you make the distinction between being a critic and being a journalist. What would interviews add to my review? Maybe I should be answering the questions I want to ask others.