01. Ocho de Octubre Dos Mil Ocho > Criticism
First, a note on criticism...
The point of any request for criticism is not your honest good for nothing opinion. It's not for empty praise, either. It's problem solving. The correct answer is not what you think, or what you would do. The answer is "What can make this work more of what it is or should be?" To say there is no answer shows a sincere lack of imagination on the naysayers part. To say you should abandon ship shows a sincere lack of courage.
Requests for criticism are very sincere. Disagreements are fine. Expressing your opinion is fine. A close friend hasn't liked my last two movies, but he's still supportive. He doesn't recoil or distance himself from me. However, attempting to win the argument on how awful something created is goes beyond the call. The world is full of bad bands, bad movies, bad plays, bad writing, and yes, bad acting. What's the harm? Leave it at "It's not for me." Frankly, it is not made for you. It is not subject to your approval.
So when asked for criticism, politely decline if you can't see the good in what's being done. Decline if you can't put your ego aside and put the idea of work first. If you do accept, focus on what's hopefully good and how the work can build on what's good.
The worse criticism - short of outright slamming- is pointing out flaws without offering a solution. It doesn't have to be a good solution. Just try if you expect them to try.
Alas, I've gone through the process of pinpointing the problems and determining intent and finding alternatives, only to have it dismissed with "I'm done." If it's digital and resides on a harddrive, it's never done. Don't waste anyone's time if you're not committed to improvement.
Finally, if you're seeking approval, don't ask for a critique. Find someone who supports the very nature of creativity rather than someone who judges the result. Frankly, you don't need anyone's approval, don’t allow them to deny your joy. Go at it.
- Anthony Torres
The point of any request for criticism is not your honest good for nothing opinion. It's not for empty praise, either. It's problem solving. The correct answer is not what you think, or what you would do. The answer is "What can make this work more of what it is or should be?" To say there is no answer shows a sincere lack of imagination on the naysayers part. To say you should abandon ship shows a sincere lack of courage.
Requests for criticism are very sincere. Disagreements are fine. Expressing your opinion is fine. A close friend hasn't liked my last two movies, but he's still supportive. He doesn't recoil or distance himself from me. However, attempting to win the argument on how awful something created is goes beyond the call. The world is full of bad bands, bad movies, bad plays, bad writing, and yes, bad acting. What's the harm? Leave it at "It's not for me." Frankly, it is not made for you. It is not subject to your approval.
So when asked for criticism, politely decline if you can't see the good in what's being done. Decline if you can't put your ego aside and put the idea of work first. If you do accept, focus on what's hopefully good and how the work can build on what's good.
The worse criticism - short of outright slamming- is pointing out flaws without offering a solution. It doesn't have to be a good solution. Just try if you expect them to try.
Alas, I've gone through the process of pinpointing the problems and determining intent and finding alternatives, only to have it dismissed with "I'm done." If it's digital and resides on a harddrive, it's never done. Don't waste anyone's time if you're not committed to improvement.
Finally, if you're seeking approval, don't ask for a critique. Find someone who supports the very nature of creativity rather than someone who judges the result. Frankly, you don't need anyone's approval, don’t allow them to deny your joy. Go at it.
- Anthony Torres
posted by AET at
10/08/2008 02:07:00 PM
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