THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409080066
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SAREIT HESS, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
GOING TO THE movies and getting paid for it is a job any teenager would appreciate.
More than 50 local high school students applied for the coveted position of Teenology movie critic by submitting a review of the summer blockbuster ``Forrest Gump.''
Alan Chang, 16, a junior at Kempsville High, is one of four winners. After attending The Virginian-Pilot's Minority Journalism Workshop this summer, he decided to apply for the position.
``I was really worried because I hadn't heard anything after entering,'' he said. ``I thought that I wouldn't get the position, but a small part of me still hoped. Finally I received a letter. I was in.''
Alan is the only new movie critic this year. Veteran Teenology critics Tamar Anitai, Jennifer Benton and Brent Bowles edged out the competition to hold on to their jobs.
``They were too good to let go,'' said Teenology editor Lorraine Eaton.
Tamar, 16, a junior at First Colonial High includes in her top 10 list of movies ``Stand By Me'' and ``Ferris Bueller's Day Off.'' Last year, she reviewed several films, including ``Schindler's List,'' ``What's Eating Gilbert Grape'' and ``Speed.'' The experience convinced her to maintain writing as a hobby.
``Writing helps me to broaden my horizons,'' Tamar said. ``When I first started (writing), I didn't know what to do. My editor helped me, and now I am able to help other writers,'' said Tamar.
Jennifer, 17, a senior at Lakeland High, favors Tom Cruise as the leading man and loves the comedy ``Animal House. Jennifer said a little critic lives in her head who never lets her watch a movie without criticizing it. Being a movie reviewer involves more than taking in a flick, she said.
``I have always learned from experience, and this (job) proved to be another one,'' Jennifer said. ``I take pride in my writing, but I have had to work on it to improve.''
Brent, a 1994 graduate of Princess Anne and a freshman at James Madison University, started writing reviews last August. He developed a sizeable following, according to his editor, who fielded several compliments from readers about his style and knowledge of the industry.
``For a good review, you have to be really critical,'' Brent said. ``Nit-pick everything. Sometimes you might have to see the movie more than once. Include the acting, script, directing, music, all the key points to a movie.''
Brent researches movies before reviewing them, but he still says it's the best job ever.
``It's not all work and no play,'' he said, ``but all play and no work.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Sareit Hess is a junior at Tallwood High.
Alan Chang
Jennifer Benton
Brent Bowles
Tamar Anitai
by CNB