Giving/Receiving Criticism

lol, yes. I hope you had only actors with standard eyelashes in your film this time.

It's amazing to see what stands out to people/audiences.
 
I would encourage everyone to stop by "Possible Charlie" and leave constructive criticism. you would be helping a newer film maker out immensily with your input (it's his first fest submission). I realize I'm a just a member of talent for the film but as someone who's seen a number of sets in the indy realm I can honestly say that his was one of the most organized, personable, and talented directors I've worked with and would wish for him to benefit from the wealth of knowledge that seems apparant as I've looked over the boards in the last few weeks. Thanks everyone.
 
Got half way through Possible Charlie and it locked up. I'll try it again.


Is it just me or is there an over-abundance of one to five word reviews this time around?

'Hey, dig the ending.'

Kick me for bringing this up if you want, but that's not a review. The idea here is to give feedback the filmmaker and all those involved in the project can apply as they grow - be it the acting, the lighting, the story and writing, the sound, the framing, the continuity, the scoring, theme, etc.

Sorry, but 'Cool' and 'Hmmmmm' doesn't cut it. Not singling anyone out here, just culled from reading many comments over many threads of some great, great films. Some comments are well thought out, while others brief but to the point and valuable. Others? Well ...

Being in the film business, either as a profession or a pursuit, one should also strive to develop a critical eye. Analysis of other people's films, and all the subordinate tasks and talents that go into a finished 'product' can only help one see their own work more critically, and the attention to detail will increase accordingly.


Just my two centavos. Take the time to comment as it is for your own benefit as well. You'll be glad you did!

aw
 
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Well I say talk bad about my movie and I will send Tom Marshall over to help you out if you know what I mean...
Pauly

J/K please let me know what you liked and didn't like...
 
Tom Marshal can't even bowl!

I'll stop by and comment your entry asap. Still trying to get my hamster-driven computer to download all the films.

a
 
Many people do NOT want to hear negative criticism. You can be labeled "mean" if you criticize. Or people seek various forms of online "revenge." I'm not sure it's worth it. I try to be honest about what I like and what I don't like. I'm a tough critic, of my own work and the work of others. But immensely supportive of individual artists' talent and efforts. Ultimately, only a handful of people really have "it" though and I'm not sure what the point is in coddling artists when paying audiences are going to be the harshest critics of all. I do believe that it's anyone's guess who has "it" and who doesn't--there's no blood test, that's for sure. It's up to each of us to prove the doubters wrong. In the meantime...

Giving some filmmaker I've never met some criticism of their film online is probably not worth it, because you can't predict who can stomach it and who will be devastated. I'm always terrified about whether people like my work. Always. And it feels awful when it doesn't connect with someone. But it's just one person's opinion, and growing and succeeding as an artist does ultimately mean we have to suffer the slings and arrows of critics. But I think from here on out, I will only comment on the few films I like. And there are few.
 
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sean90291 said:
Many people do NOT want to hear negative criticism. You can be labeled "mean" if you criticize. Or people seek various forms of online "revenge." I'm not sure it's worth it. I try to be honest about what I like and what I don't like. I'm a tough critic, of my own work and the work of others. But immensely supportive of individual artists' talent and efforts. Ultimately, only a handful of people really have "it." And I guess it's anyone's guess who those people all--there's no blood test, that's for sure. But giving some filmmaker I've never met some criticism of their film online is probably not worth it, when folks can't stomach it. I'm always terrified about whether people like my work. Always. And it feels awful when it doesn't connect with someone. But it's just one person's opinion, and growing and succeeding as an artist does ultimately mean we have to suffer the slings and arrows of critics. But maybe from here on out, I will only comment on the few films I like.
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it does take effort to speak and it does require some amount of bravery, and for this i thank everyone and anyone who will comment on my films. i cannot learn from nothing, from silence. to me this is worst form of criticism. it is as if the work is so beneath the audience that it does not even merit a word, or even the acknowledgment that it ever existed. there is no art if there is no audience.

anyway, i am sorry for any past backlash anyone has given you, i, for one, will gratefully accept whatever you might say of my films, good, bad, ugly, as long as it is your truth. and i will most kindly thank you for your time, your effort, and your bravery. without you and your opinions of what i put forth, there is no chance to grow, no chance to learn, and one less reason to participate here, no? this forum is only as strong as its shared opinions.
 
Agree with some of what you say, Sean, but my philosophy is this ...

Each filmmaker in TwilightFest made and posted a film knowing full well it would be in a public forum with varying degrees of expertise in several areas of film watching it.

Some comments focus on the technical, while others on overall artistry, and then everything in between. Comments on what worked, and why, and what didn't work, and why are what makes each of us grow, from behind the camera tasks, to in front of the camera performances. There is no other way to grow. period.

Two things.

If the recieving filmmaker doesn't like the comments and dismisses them as the rantings of a lunatic, they rob themselves of heartfelt feedback.

And ...

If a viewer only comments on films they like and dismisses the rest as unworthy, they rob the filmmakers of a particular point of view that may be just the comment they needed to put it all together, the one that shed light on what they were struggling with, and - the viewer robs themselves of a chance to participate fully.

There are 69 (?) films in the fest. Subtract a few for those who did double entries and lets round it off to 63, give or take. In my humble and correct opinion, that means every film should have at least - at least - 63 comments.

To reviece fully, one must give fully.

There are a few filmmakers here in DVX I really don't care for much (names withheld). Chemistry thing I guess. But I have every intention of reviewing their entry objectively. If that garners a 'revenge' review, so be it. If there were 63 reviews, it just might stand out as oddly unique - for better of for worse.

I wont use the term 'get a thicker skin' because I think it is one of the most insulting things one can say, and roughly translates to - I'm a piece of shi* and will say whatever I want and if you don't like it's your own damn fault. Puke.

What I will say, however, is that putting your work up for public scrutiny - and knowing full well it's likely to take some hits - requires a certain maturity. Having been a member on numerous boards over the years, I'd say DVX is way above average when it come to maturity amongst its ranks.

As comments flow in (hopefully) a filmmaker has every right to explain what was not understood, or even defend certain choices. But if it comes to revenge reviews (I had a great one in ScriptFest) then maybe the filmmaker should be doing something more inocuous, like sorting cheese in a deli.

This is art. Prepare for the best and the worst, and leave the boxing gloves at home.

Most important, comment. We all win.

a
 
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My original plan was to watch the films and do a semi-extensive review for each one. I started this but I am so busy I don't know if I will be able to finish. I will watch them, and I will try to comment, but at this juncture I can make no guarantees about the latter.
 
ConspiracyPenguin said:
My original plan was to watch the films and do a semi-extensive review for each one. I started this but I am so busy I don't know if I will be able to finish. I will watch them, and I will try to comment, but at this juncture I can make no guarantees about the latter.
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You still have 8 days or so before the next round.

Just stop posting here and go watch them!
Remember, I can see you. :evil:
 
"That's right the women are smarter". Thanks Alex Whitmer for summing up the humm of commentary. Our reactions to each other and ourselves is the most important process in filmmaking and our own lives. (Muhhaha - I made a deep and theoretical comment in that comment.)

Blah! We can find the heart of what everyone is saying by asking them more questions while we listen to their response.

It is a lot more than just a festival and one short film, it all carries onto how everyone will move forward.
 
That's MSN to you. I am not busy with that, I am busy with election crap, school work and other people. :) I will watch them, don't worry. Maybe I should offer 10 penguin reviews to the first people to ask for one. :)
 
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