I didn't read your comments as such, in fact I don't see a single trashing review here.
You want a trashing review, you should read the comments from real critics in the paper about million+ dollar budgeted professional films, now that is harsh. "A waste of time and money, two thumbs down" comes to mind.
The purpose of constructive criticism is to show the author that what he/she has done affected us all in different ways, and we all see things in the film that another may not be tuned to see or hear. In that regard, the author can keep this in mind for his/her next film and hopefully fill some of the glaring gaps missed in this first one, to produce a better overall film. The author cannot, I repeat CANNOT, play strictly to the audience, because the ultimate result will always be the same whether catering to the audience or remaining strict to the original vision: you cannot please everyone at once. MAGNOLIA, for example, is heralded by some as one of the best (if not the best) dramatic ensemble piece of all time, others, like Kevin Smith fans, HATE Magnolia and everything it represents. This is exactly what I am saying.
Take the audience's opinions both seriously and with a grain of salt, and recognize good advice or critique when you see it, it can help you make better art. Take no advice and you will constantly be running head first into the same wall throughout your career, "It's brilliant, but I have some major problems with it."
As an artist, we all have to deal with critique for our entire career, and if you think a few guys on a bulletin board is harsh, wait till you get that first review from a "respected" critic who is paid to trash or praise films on a regular basis, and he says you are a no-talent hack with no ability to tell a story and advises the world to skip your film. And then every little critic who admires this critic adopts similar opinions. THAT is harsh, and THAT is real life, that is why you need to hash this stuff out with a knowledgeable audience well before you step into the spotlight and invite everyone and their dog to judge your work. It may not be pretty to read things that are not 100% pleasant about your art here, but its done to help you to understand what we are seeing, what we were expecting, and why/why not you delivered.
My comments of people's films have been honest and true to my heart, I hope everyone can recognize that. If this film blew me away and left me speechless, I would let slm know that. If it make me run to the bathroom to puke, I would let slm know that as well. This particular film has a lot of good things working for it, I just believe it could have been executed better and that is why I let him know that.
In the same note, I think we all understand exactly whom is posting here, amatuers or professionals just beginning their careers and looking to learn and showcase their work on the small level. I believe the natural instinct is to ignore fundamental mistakes because of the low/no budget aspects of the film, nevertheless the goal of most filmmakers is to make at least better low/no budget films, and certainly in most cases, to make astoundingly good budgeted films, if they are given that opportunity. Some day, you will be far from your computer working on a feature and hopefully you would have learned enough from hashing it out on small places like this that the decision making process which is totally filled with pressure, will become easier and more automatic for you based on what you picked up.
If a moderator or mr absent "indietalk" has any problem with that, let me know and this can be the last. Its not like any of us are being paid to spend our precious time here.
. You seem to agree with me anyway :? .
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