I jest. There are a few people whose feedback I value and I find myself consistently seeking advice from. I'm also more likely to share my undeveloped ideas with them early on in the creative process because I trust them and know they'll be honest but respectful about how to improve. There are a few people who I know if I can get them to say they hate my work, I feel like it's a mission accomplished because they're worthless human beings. That doesn't really help though.
I actually do enjoy getting feedback from a wide variety of sources but I often find myself resisting it at the same time. For instance, I was really opposed to the idea of the rough cut for our doc assignment in 185 because, to quote myself exactly, "I just like doing things right the first time." So I went into the screening already planning on disregarding any negative comments but I realized afterwards that the feedback I received was very helpful-- it's good to know what people are confused about because you're so used to the context and the connotations in your head that it really helps to get other eyes and brains involved so you can see what you missed. It also helps to watch or review your work in a room full of people you respect and some you don't because it makes you look at your work in a different way as well. I often feel very happy with my work but then when I let other people see it, all I can see are the things I want to change.
It's important for me to receive positive feedback. I feed off it. But it's more important for me to receive constructive feedback. I think that's where I need to be less hesitant-- showing the unfinished product early on and getting some good suggestions will help the development and execution of the idea so I can get more positive feedback and feel good about myself. When I got into this program I felt extremely underprepared and out of place but still super protective of my ideas but I've been able to learn a lot and open up a lot and it's been good for me.
I tend to have the same problem. I suppose I'm not a very open person to begin with, so subjecting my creative works to the criticism of others is a frightening thing. I have to remind myself that suggestions can only help me make things better. Even if somebody says something useless and hurtful, I benefit by realizing that this person is dumb and my project is better than they think it is. Then I feel better and am more willing to accept criticisms that are actually constructive and sensitive.
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