Welcome to Cut to the Take!
Hey there! I’m Lucy, the brains and heart behind Cut to the Take. Let me share a bit about who I am and what drives this venture.
Who Am I?
I’m a freelance film critic in addition to an audiovisual communications graduate with a master in Film Curation. Plus, in case it’s not clear through those choices, also a big fan of analysing films.
Much like any other film fan (cinephile feels a bit pedantic to be, even it is the correct term), I do have my favourites. While I refuse the notion of having a favourite film, I do have certain aspects of a film that I tend to prioritise, as well as genres that attract me most.
What’s My Angle?
As a photographer, I can’t help but to play close attention to the visuals of a film. These are not only comprised of lighting and angles, but also wardrobe, makeup, sets and staging. The way you present a story often says more about your feelings towards it than the text itself. As such, I find it riveting.
About the text, my perspective is quite predictable. As a woman who is very aware of cinema’s sexist tendencies, keeping a close eye on the portrayal of women and the female influence in storytelling both in front and behind the cameras is second nature. Cinema, much like series and other types of media, have an immense influence on the behaviour of society. The youngest frequently learn more about life through media than through formal education, especially when it comes to behavioural patterns. As such, I take female representation very seriously. After all, It’s always easier to reach equality when it has been presented to us from a young age.
Now for the genres I favour. I like variety in the content I consume, and I refuse to let budget or marketing dictate what I watch. I believe that cinema is often like an iceberg to mainstream audiences, and many a time it is the films that are hidden behind the surface that can enrich our life the most. That being said, I can’t help but favour mystery, thriller, horror, and dark comedy over other genres. Why? I’ll let you know when I figure it out myself, but I think reading Agatha Christie as a child might have something to do with it.
Why Cut to the Take?
It does sound hilariously like a Miss World speech, but my passion is to shine a light on female representation and underexposed films so that my readers can find a new sphere of films that might change their minds about the world that surrounds them. This has fuelled my journey to become a film critic and creating this website you’re now on.
I am aware that most people nowadays can’t (or won’t) spend a long time reading articles about films every time they are on the fence about watching something. For this reason, my blog offers both a super short review (one or two sentences at most), and a longer version that usually takes around 4 minutes to read, in case you actually want to delve a little deeper into my thoughts about the film or the reasoning behind my one-or-two-sentence statement.
Additionally, I firmly believe that people often ignore film critiques because of their language and, while I feel incredibly cool using all the big words I learned in my studies, I do believe it is my duty to be as clear as possible in favour of getting the word about film more efficiently. This way, both film enthusiasts and casual viewers can enjoy the insight offered at the same level, eliminating as much as possible the gatekeeping epidemic that covers this art form.
Lastly, the name Cut to the Take represents both my love for dad humour and for conciseness. Is it an incredibly silly word game? Yes. Does it get the point of the blog across quickly? I certainly hope so!
What You’ll Find Here:
At Cut to the Take, you won’t only find reviews of the latest releases, random discoveries, and cinema classics. You’ll also be met with inspiration for your next movie night; recaps for your moments of need when memory fails, or you need to pretend you know about a seemingly infinite saga; and other random cinema-related content for enthusiasts and curious minds.
The goal is to provide the best content, in the most straightforward, no-BS format possible, so you can enjoy discovering the possibilities of cinema at your own pace without the need for a great attention span nor a specialised dictionary.
Join the Cut to the Take Community:
This isn’t just about me—it’s about us. Join the Cut to the Take community, and discover the latest in cinema without any gatekeeping. Let’s spread the word about all the amazing works being made together!
Connect with Us:
Got questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Feel free to comment below, use the contact form, or DM me on social media (links below). I’m always excited to connect with fellow critics, industry professionals, film enthusiasts, and people just starting their journey in cinema!
Thanks for stopping by and being part of the Cut to the Take journey!
Lucy
