In celebration of Black History Month, I wanted to foster some constructive criticism with my local and fellow artists.
Here's a story:
My Dad was the ultimate dream killer, and my childhood was, to say, “interesting.”
“Wayne”, he used to say, “don’t waste your time on that if you are not fully committed.”
Only he wasn’t that nice about it.
I’ve always been a creative, because it really was all I was good at. Everything else I tried could just be faked enough to get by. I played every sport he wanted me to, but at any given time I was only pushing half way. It wasn’t what I wanted deep down; I wanted to be a part of movies and television. My imagination ran wild with stories of comic characters and magic skateboards.
Although my father’s expectations would help me later in life, early on it only served to force my true potential underground.
By the time I made it to high school I was used to pretending to like everything everyone else did. Then, on a whim, my Grandma Daisy convinced me Drama would be good for me (Grandma’s see things in us that others, including ourselves don’t or can’t see in ourselves.).
In Drama and creative writing, it was okay for me to say the things that were really on my mind.
Wait!!! Thad you’re getting off topic. My bad. Where was I?
Oh, yeah. Film is my passion, and I can’t do anything else. But that doesn't mean I'm not willing to have honest conversations about my work either.
Now that I think about it, when did it become not okay to be honest about other’s skill level as a creative?
When I watch a movie I can clearly state, "this movie sucks" or "I don’t get it".... If I could, I would reach out to M. Night and say… "M"…(cause we are comfortable with each other like that) "what the hell was up with those killer trees?
"
I mean, that is exactly what we have the opportunity to do when we know our local independent filmmakers comfortably.
We have the opportunity - no we have the obligation - as fellow filmmakers not to jerk each other off for instant gratification, but to prolong the experience for a tantric nirvana experience that will have us looking for the next chance to Netflix and chill.
Is that the correct thing the kids say, “…Netflix and chill?”
Whatever we want to call it, we need to foster those who create quality.
We need to get rid of the "participation trophy" culture that has become our status quo.
We can’t fear that our friends’ feelings will be hurt by our true and honest assessment of their work.
I would never tell anyone not to follow their passion, but be willing to accept the noise that comes with it.
No, sorry, everyone’s baby is not cute. If we as a film community want to get better, then we have to start pushing each other to do and be better, and part of that process is being able to give and receive constructive criticism.
Iron sharpens iron, people. Iron sharpens iron.
And I welcome the opportunity to talk shop with you.