ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 6 months ago - Dan Selakovich

I'm kind of pissed off, and wondering if I should be.

I hear a lot of complaining from filmmakers about people not leaving critiques or comments on Film Of The Month. Especially in this thread I started about 4 months ago on advice to beginning filmmakers:

https://shootingpeople.org/discuss/view/1351c97472a179496835b380

I shouldn't call it complaining because these filmmakers are right. They should get comments. And detailed ones at that. How can you get better, right, if the only people you hear from are family and friends?

Well, I've gotten really busy lately (THANKFULLY!) and just haven't had time to view this months and last months films. I like watching them, because you always find a few jewels. And I always hope these younger filmmakers can make a living at it because they deserve to.

Today I ran across a filmmaker that was asking for critiques of his work. So I took about 30 minutes to write a critique, what could make this story work. Why I thought it didn't... the usual stuff.

A few hours later, I was asked by this filmmaker to take it down or edit it. The reasoning was it was too long and had spoilers in it. (In my defense, the spoilers were under a big heading that said SPOILERS:).

So I deleted it.

Look, it's easier for me not to comment. Frankly, I think most would be happy if I didn't. So what is it you guys want? Be honest with yourselves here. Would you rather not have negative comments (this is how you make it better)? No comments at all? Only what's good in your film?

Do YOU read the comments before watching a FOM film? I don't. I don't even read the description, for that matter.

I think we'd all want to know if you want comments or not. Because, as for me, I have better shit to do. And certainly don't ask for an opinion if you don't want it.

For those that put films up here, SP is a safe place. You'll get actual critiques. In the real world, you'll get personal attacks and called all sorts of names. They review YOU, not your film. Because of the internet, true film criticism is on it's knees, written by some guy living in his mom's basement.