Seems like it's getting harder and harder to get people to watch short films

[ZazaCast]

Here, criticism is intended to show you how to improve. So take it for what it's worth, don't defend valid points, think about it and apply it.

If it's bad, we'll tell you that it is, but we also will tell you WHY...

If it's good, we'll cheer you on and offer a few suggestions to make it BETTER.

DVXUser can be your proving ground before you enter the real world where people hide behind anonymity to say nasty things just because they can. But workshop here, fix the problems before you get there and believe me, they'll have less to criticize...

Hummm...tough thing. One man's garbage is another man's treasure. Van Gogh died penniless and pretty much unknown...it wasn't until years after his death that he started to be recognized and is now considered a master.

No one can tell you how to make YOUR art better...they can suggest what THEY think would make it better, but that would be just for them and their tastes. No one can talk for the masses (just ask Van Gogh). All critiques should be taken with a large grain of salt. I'd hate to think there's only one way for a film to be good.

Art is about expression, we make it and send it out into the world...if we touch even one person, it's a success! Making films as a form of artistic expression & making films that sell are too very different things. Yes, the two can meet, but there's no magic formula that works for everyone.

Remember, opinions are like A**holes and everybody's got one. Any comments, good, bad or indifferent are a positive. Some people will love you...others won't...it's the way of the world. If you try to change your style to please everyone... you won't please anyone.

 

[GoodLuck]

Who do you think watches shorts more, the general public or filmmakers? It would appear that the main audience of shorts really is filmmakers.

I think the general public may ocassionally catch something on youtube but it's usually that one dog humping a leg or kitten video. You can often tell by the comments on shorts, it's usually technical (love the lighting/what was it shot on/etc.)

Even at festivals I've been to, many of the rooms are full of filmmakers, not the general public. What do you guys think?

 

[Rippie]

My point in bringing this up is, it's better to take your hits/criticism on your short now than on a feature film later. Let them line up to bash it, whoever they might be. Learn from it and apply it towards your next project.

Oh I'm prepared to take the criticism with the good. Believe me on that.
My plans are to get this out to the masses to either embrace or rip apart.

If the general public doesnt like it, its really that simple. They dont have to have a reason.

What I don't believe in is the frustrated film maker bashing someone elses movie
in the hopes it makes them feel better.

I see it on here when I browse user films.
Even worse when I see it done to theatrical releases.

Ive put some clips out there where the "tech guys" could see it.
All I got back were "tech" reviews...
"loved the sound", "loved the lighting", "it's too dark", "great mood with the lighting" "good acting", "bad acting".. its kinda funny actually.

Point being is..
I want people to see the movie as a MOVIE. Not as pieces of technical work.
I'll get that from the average viewer, not a soundguy.

Obviously just my view.

 

[Zak Forsman]

Identifying your core audience is the first step toward building a larger one. That begins with friends, family and fellow filmmakers. Learn to embrace them and encourage them to become advocates for you. That begins the journey toward finding an audience who can, as you say, just watch it as a movie. For now, your audience is going to be filmmakers, film critics, film festival programmers and attendees, and film enthusiasts. and they will be sensitive to a film's construction and comment on it, no way around it. but again, make them advocates to raise your profile. I don't know how one could immediately jump to the unlearned masses without putting George Clooney in their film. maybe not ever.

 

[Rodney V. Smith]

Oh I'm prepared to take the criticism with the good. Believe me on that.
My plans are to get this out to the masses to either embrace or rip apart.

If the general public doesnt like it, its really that simple. They dont have to have a reason.

What I don't believe in is the frustrated film maker bashing someone elses movie
in the hopes it makes them feel better.

I see it on here when I browse user films.
Even worse when I see it done to theatrical releases.

Ive put some clips out there where the "tech guys" could see it.
All I got back were "tech" reviews...
"loved the sound", "loved the lighting", "it's too dark", "great mood with the lighting" "good acting", "bad acting".. its kinda funny actually.

Point being is..
I want people to see the movie as a MOVIE. Not as pieces of technical work.
I'll get that from the average viewer, not a soundguy.

Obviously just my view.

Join the DVXFests Rippie. Betrayalfest is up next. Check out the past fests (Monsterfest, Questfest, LossFest, etc) to get a good idea of how thigs work and the kind of feedback you get. We critique the movie, story structure, actors.... not just the light scheme or the sound.

Join us. You have absolutely nothing to lose.