The Art of Handling Feedback

feedback |ˈfēdˌbak|noun1 information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement.----------

I decided to write about feedback. How to take it and give it. I am sharing what I've learned, and feel free to comment below if you have any thoughts or points to give. I base this on all my years of having obtained feedback and having seen results, good and bad. I've made several short films, and have had a good amount of feedback from all sorts of people, professionals in the industry, friends, family, hearing, deaf, laymen, from all walks of life. 

I chose this subject, because it is probably one of the most emotionally draining parts of any working process, as well as the most effective and beneficial. This is also something that I feel most people haven't really put under heavy consideration or realize how important it is to do.

Here's some stuff & tips I've learned on the way, and take it or leave it.

HANDLING FEEDBACK

1) Find unbiased feedback. Meaning find someone who knows nothing about your work and has absolutely nothing to do with the people in it or behind it and is seeing it for the first time. This is the best outsider's viewpoint.

2) Get feedback from two kinds of people: the professional ones and people who know absolutely nothing about filmmaking, and just like to watch movies like "Jurassic Park" or "Legally Blonde" without knowing why.

3) Know what you're looking for. What's your aim? To sell? To share your thoughts with the world? If it's to sell, then feedback from people who know nothing about filmmaking is highly crucial. The professional feedback helps you achieve that if you're unsure how to handle that feedback. If it's just simply make a movie of your own creation, nothing to do with trying to sell it or profit from it, then getting feedback still would help-- if you had a certain feeling or thought you were trying to express, and you could watch your feedback to see if they were able to convey the same feelings or thoughts they felt from watching your film. However, if you simply do not want feedback at all and want to see as a surprise to the world, then so be it. Ultimately, feedback is usually necessary.

4) Find a great feedback buddy you can rely on. This is crucial in order for you to skyrocket your improvement. I've had buddies and I just adore them for being completely honest with me, since all the fruits of my labor today are based on that feedback.  

5) When you receive feedback, give no response or defense. Be a silent listener. Hang on to this new information for a few days and process it. You will thank yourself in the end. 

6) Listening to feedback does not mean you have to always take it seriously. It just means you have to listen and consider it. Here's an example of a feedback and a thought response to it.  "I thought the acting was TERRIBLE! You should have re-cast the main character." Thought response: "Ah, I guess she simply was just not feeling connected to the main character. Maybe she's not fitting for this film's demographic. But if the acting was terrible, I will listen to the professional feedback and see if they feel the same way." 

7) There's always some truth to each feedback. Think about the person's feedback and why they said it. If there are other factors involved, find it. If the only factor is your film or your work, then listen.

8) If you heard it more than once, take it under heavy consideration and apply it to your work. 

9) Communicate with the person who gives feedback with exactly what you want to know. That way, there are no surprises, and you've already braced yourself for any uncomfortable feedback.

11) If you make films and you want it to be a hit, then I highly recommend test screenings. Get a small group of people (both professional and people who aren't involved with filmmaking) to watch your film, and give active feedback. That way, you can increase your chances for the film's success if it happens. I highly recommend you be patient and take the time to do this. You'll find a lot of things that you didn't realize before, and be happy you did work on this.

12) Another thing to watch out for, is where the feedback is focused on. If they watch a film of yours, and say only stuff like, "Wow, that had awesome visuals. Great cinematography!" And never said anything else about the story or the acting, or characters, then I suggest you take another look at the story and the characters. This is a very useful tip for those who don't realize what's going on. It can mean that they're just being nice and looking for something positive to say about your film. In my opinion, the most crucial part of your film is ALWAYS the story. If people don't think about what your film is trying to say, and just focus on the technical delivery of the film, then there may be some issues with your storytelling.

13) Listen to the positive feedback. That'll help you stay calm. :)

GIVING FEEDBACK

1) Don't give feedback if it is not welcome! Always wait until they ask you for it. Just be sure to communicate up front on what is expected and to be shared.

2) Try to think about what the person wants to say, rather than what they are saying. It'll help you give feedback that'll support what they are trying to do with their work.

3) Your natural reaction. It helps to give feedback as someone who has never seen the film or have no idea about it. Help them see how you reacted to it emotionally, or what you thought it was about. Don't attempt to sound intellectual or sound like a professional. Your feedback is always valuable, regardless of your background.

4) Try to give both positive and constructive feedback. If you only give feedback that is constructive, then it's natural for the artist to back away from it and take it personally (in a worst-case scenario). You know how to do it? Do it like this and in this order: a) Positive, b) Constructive, c) Positive.

5) Honest feedback is the best policy. Don't try to make stuff up or try to exaggerate beyond your meaning.

So far, this is what I've found. Good luck, and hopefully you've found this to your benefit as I have.

-JULES DAMERON