By: The Don
Cliff Hopkins is a Philly guy, born and raised. Cliff has a passion for analyzing and critiquing films, tv shows, and trailers. He started his own Youtube channel that dissects films and does film discussions with other film enthusiasts. Cliff is also a screenwriter who writes his own scripts from characters he wants to see on the big screen one day. Still new to the industry, he is multiskilled and is continuing to better himself with every new review he posts and has a bright future ahead of him.
Check out his Social Media:
Instagram – @cliffreacts
Youtube – Cliff/Reacts
Interview
What is your name?
Clifford Aaron Hopkins.
How long have you been in the film industry?
I’m relatively new to the film industry. I didn’t start pursuing a career in film and tv until about a year or two ago. So, I’m basically a baby to this side of entertainment.
What do you do within the industry?
I work as a film critic/story analyst specifically through Youtube Cliff/Reacts. I am also a screenwriter and musician.
What got you into the film industry?
It was during the second semester of my junior year in college. I was in the middle of a private drum lesson with Marcus Myers (one of the best drummers based out of Philly) and we were talking about what my plans were for after I graduate. I truly had no idea but I knew that being a drummer wasn’t all that I wanted. During this semester, I was taking electives that were focusing on different aspects of film. For example, I took a class where we would discuss and dissect “hard-boiled detective” novels and the adaptations that would follow like the “Maltese Falcon (1941) & Chinatown (1974). I was also heavy into watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
So those classes, plus watching the MCU unfold, made me realize that I paid attention to film a lot more than I think anyone should. So, I just made the decision to focus my efforts on being able to work in film and music. That’s why I started my Youtube Channel. It allows me to speak about movies I like, new movies and in some cases books. I discovered and even spoke about the film score and musical choices that the creatives behind said projects made.
I just believe that my skills not only as a musician but also a lover of film and tv can be far more effective in the filming space. It allows me to work in a field that I’m both very passionate about.
What do you mainly write about?
I write about anything that just comes to mind. A lot of the screenplays I started working on all come from music that I listen to or music that I learn for any shows/gigs I have coming up. The ideas can also come from novels and or comic books that I read. Basically just whatever I’m currently reading or listening.
What genre do you like to write about?
I say action-adventure. It gives you the opportunity to combine other genres of film into one fun, epic…adventure. But I dabble in other styles like sitcoms, mystery thrillers to name a few.
How many scripts have you written so far?
I have a couple of short film scripts completed or close to being finished. One I call “The Toxicomane” (the French word for The Addict) focuses on my addiction to spending money. And I have another short film script called “Normal” that is a martial arts/action piece set in Suburban Station. I have other passion projects in the works but those won’t be finished for years to come.
Did you always wanted to go into screenwriting or did you fall into it?
I just fell into it. The past year, I came to realize that it’s a lot of stories in novels & graphic novels that I wanted to see that no one was working on, so I decided to just write them myself. Plus a lot of the time I daydream and imagine story ideas so I just started writing those thoughts down and decided to try and make full ideas out of them.
From reading graphic novels, did you create your own stories, characters, and all?
Not many no.
What was it like writing and completing your first ever script?
Refreshing. It was nice to know that I could actually complete the script from start to finish.
What‘s the most challenging part about screenwriting?
Outlining the script. I can’t write anything until I have all the research and scene outlines done and that’s tough because I’m constantly changing my own on things regarding my scripts.
What do you hate most about screenwriting?
Writing the opening scene. I’ve seen movies where the opening scene doesn’t quite grab you right away and that could turn people away. So when I write, if the opening scene doesn’t work for me, I don’t continue writing until I’m absolutely sure it does.
What do you love most about being a film critic?
I guess just being able to talk about movies and enjoy conversing said points in a review. It’s just fun to dissect a film I think.
What was your first ever critique?
2017’s “Transformers The Last Knight” was the first video I ever posted on YouTube.
How tough is it being a film critic?
I think it’s actually quite difficult. I admire people who have made a career out of it. I find it tough because when you’re reviewing a movie, you have to make decisions on how much of the movie you want to talk about. If you go too in-depth, that could be too much for the reader/listener. And if you only scratch the service, it might not be enough for them. You have to find a balance in what you talk about, but make sure that what you discuss, is still informative and enjoyable.
What do you hate the most about being a film critic?
Just trying to figure out what movies to review. I can review either horror movies or review just Netflix movies. Its a plethora of movies that exist, so actually making the judgment on which movies to talk about can be difficult.
What do you look for when you critique something?
OHH that’s a good one! I feel in today’s world a lot of movies are very similar. They use tropes and ideas that have been done before, so when I’m watching a movie or TV show, I try to pay attention to the delivery of said tropes or story elements. Some of my favorite movies all have the usual essence of the genre they’re in, but they do things just slightly different that makes it stand out to me.
Is being a film critic as easy as the stereotypes say it is?
I think to some degree it’s easy to be a film critic. I mean, technically everyone is a film critic. That’s how we decide on what movie deserves our money, what streaming service we pay for, what shows on said service we watch, etc. So yeah, it’s easy to be a critic I say, but it’s more difficult to actually try to stand out and make your reviews something of substance. Just like any other form of entertainment, an art exists for being a film critic. Yes anyone can do it, but not everyone can continue and actually make their reviews something of substance. Just look at YouTube, it’s an ocean full of reviewers for anything & everything. Most of the time, they all sound the same, look the same and bring up the same points in said review. The ones who stand out are those who make their reviews thought-provoking, bring conversation, speaks on points in a movie that others don’t even think to touch. These film critics deep-dive into the movie and manage to keep it entertaining.
What is your favorite movie of all time?
The Fifth Element (1997).
What is your favorite MCU film and why?
It’s A toss-up between Avengers (2012) and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). Avengers (2012) because its one of the few MCU movies I feel shines in all aspects from the director’s style, character portrayals, character interaction, costumes, action, etc. And The Winter Soldier (2014) because it’s the last MCU movie I saw that truly left me speechless and in awe when I left the theater. This movie is the reason Captain America is my favorite character in this franchise. The action scenes are fresh and still have yet to be beaten within this genre, in terms of its creativity and execution. And I loved watching a story of a character whose strong beliefs and morals are tested but never waver in a constantly changing world.
Who is your favorite Actor(s) and/or Actress(es) and why?
I don’t really have one. But if I had to pick, I would say Chris Evans or Chris Tucker. I just enjoy most of the movies they’re in. Especially movies like “Snowpiercer (2013),” and “before we go.” And Tucker’s role in the “Fifth Element (1997)” is one of my favorite character roles of all time.
Are you a first-generation film person?
No, I’m not. I have some cousins who are video producers, and actors working in the business.
Have you encountered any adversities?
The only adversity I faced would be just myself & deciding what movies to review, what to write, what music/scores to write etc. I want to do all that and I can with film, tv, and music, so the adversity really just comes from myself I think.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Honestly… I don’t know. I’m hoping to be working on set either as a PA or in the writer’s room. But hopefully, in ten years, I’ll be in production for the “Mister Miracle,”(DC Comics Character) movie that I’ve been working on.
What advice do you have for others who want to enter the Entertainment Industry?
Don’t feel ashamed if you believe that working in another part of the entertainment industry is right for you. I got my degree in Music Performance/Jazz Studies but realized that I really enjoy movies and shows. Do what you feel is right and take your time cultivating whatever talent or goal you have. Also, try to be adaptable and learn as much as you can in whatever field you’re working in. It’s great to be good or at least decent in multiple things.
