Post by scottmyers on Jan 26, 2010 15:10:18 GMT -5
I'm re-posting here something that just went live at GITS re constructive criticism:
Now that The GITS Club is all of 1-week old (and 80+ members strong), it's a good time to discuss a crucial aspect of the peer review process: constructive criticism. Here's how I present the concept to my screenwriting students:
A professional screenwriter knows how to give and accept critiques on written material, something known as constructive criticism. What that means is two-fold: I expect you to give honest feedback on your classmates’ writing assignments; a second and equally important element of constructive criticism is to provide creative suggestions how to improve the material. I count on each student to be an active participant on the Discussion Boards, and to give honest feedback and creative suggestions on every writing assignment. This maximizes the learning on all sides, creates a collaborative community, and in my experience, can help individual script projects immensely.
And more than that. By analyzing material written by others, you are using 'muscles' in your brain that you need to develop. For example, when you break in as a screenwriter, you'll go up for open writing assignments. This will require you to read an existing written property, most often a screenplay, then take a meeting where you discuss with studio executives and/or producers what the script's problems are, how you might address those problems, etc. The ability to provide that type of analysis starts right now - every time you read scripted material and provide feedback on it. Another benefit of developing your analytical skills: Being able to read your own writing with a more critical and informed eye.
One last thing re constructive criticism: Always critique the script, not the writer. That way, you keep the discuss where it ought to be - on the story.
I am crazy busy right now, but I'm doing my best to visit TGC at least once per day. And soon, I should be announcing the first TGC writer's pages which I'll post on GITS (accompanied by my analysis and feedback) and the opportunity for GITS readers to provide additional comments - hopefully a good learning experience for the writer and the rest of us here as well.
Again thanks to Jeff Messerman for taking on the role of The GITS Club moderator. The activity there has been far greater than either Jeff or I anticipated, so thanks for your patience re response time.
If you have any suggestions or ideas, feel free to provide them in comments here or email Jeff or myself:
scottdistillery@gmail.com
jmesserman@gmail.com
Now go be constructively critical! Or critically constructive!
You can go to The GITS Club by clicking here.
I can't emphasize enough the value of analyzing script pages and story ideas, and putting together and uploading a coherent draft of feedback. The same with 'receiving' feedback in an open way. It is a non-judgmental exercise simply about the work as represented in the pages itself.
If The GITS Club can foster that type of honest and creative give-and-take, our little corner of the screenwriting universe will be a much better and more productive place.
Now that The GITS Club is all of 1-week old (and 80+ members strong), it's a good time to discuss a crucial aspect of the peer review process: constructive criticism. Here's how I present the concept to my screenwriting students:
A professional screenwriter knows how to give and accept critiques on written material, something known as constructive criticism. What that means is two-fold: I expect you to give honest feedback on your classmates’ writing assignments; a second and equally important element of constructive criticism is to provide creative suggestions how to improve the material. I count on each student to be an active participant on the Discussion Boards, and to give honest feedback and creative suggestions on every writing assignment. This maximizes the learning on all sides, creates a collaborative community, and in my experience, can help individual script projects immensely.
And more than that. By analyzing material written by others, you are using 'muscles' in your brain that you need to develop. For example, when you break in as a screenwriter, you'll go up for open writing assignments. This will require you to read an existing written property, most often a screenplay, then take a meeting where you discuss with studio executives and/or producers what the script's problems are, how you might address those problems, etc. The ability to provide that type of analysis starts right now - every time you read scripted material and provide feedback on it. Another benefit of developing your analytical skills: Being able to read your own writing with a more critical and informed eye.
One last thing re constructive criticism: Always critique the script, not the writer. That way, you keep the discuss where it ought to be - on the story.
I am crazy busy right now, but I'm doing my best to visit TGC at least once per day. And soon, I should be announcing the first TGC writer's pages which I'll post on GITS (accompanied by my analysis and feedback) and the opportunity for GITS readers to provide additional comments - hopefully a good learning experience for the writer and the rest of us here as well.
Again thanks to Jeff Messerman for taking on the role of The GITS Club moderator. The activity there has been far greater than either Jeff or I anticipated, so thanks for your patience re response time.
If you have any suggestions or ideas, feel free to provide them in comments here or email Jeff or myself:
scottdistillery@gmail.com
jmesserman@gmail.com
Now go be constructively critical! Or critically constructive!
You can go to The GITS Club by clicking here.
I can't emphasize enough the value of analyzing script pages and story ideas, and putting together and uploading a coherent draft of feedback. The same with 'receiving' feedback in an open way. It is a non-judgmental exercise simply about the work as represented in the pages itself.
If The GITS Club can foster that type of honest and creative give-and-take, our little corner of the screenwriting universe will be a much better and more productive place.