1. If you don’t own or have access to a computer with internet capability you’re either permanently trapped under something heavy or you’re a member of an obscure Amazonian tribe untouched by civilisation. You need a word processor and and an email account like you need oxygen and water.
2. Some still hold onto the dream of living their lives without a mobile phone or sticking with their ancient clockwork Nokia. It’s a beautiful dream but in this game if you snooze, you lose. The PR or editor will send emails about screenings and if you don’t stake your claim quickly, all that will be left is the Belgian documentary about Flemish farming methods of the 1920s.
3. Unless you have a charitable editor (rare) or a bicycle you’re going to need money for transport costs to get to and from the screening. If you’re only reviewing DVDs then you’ll save cash but DVD reviewing is the bottom of the food chain and should only be done when you’re first starting out or as a favor to your editor when they need one done urgently. They’ll forget to return the favor, but once in a while they might come down from the mountain and acknowledge your existence.
4. The law states that every writer should carry a notebook and pen and scribbling comments and observations down during a screening are handy when it comes to the write up. Unfortunately as cinemas traditionally turn off the light during a show you won’t be able to see a damn thing you are writing and most of the page will be unintelligible. Still, it gives the person sat next to you the impression of professionalism and like wearing a pair of glasses to a job interview or a suit in court, certain illusions are socially accepted and should be used to your advantage.