Industry feedback is at the heart of what we do at Escape Studios. Our students' short film projects receive regular feedback from our tutors and also from industry guests, especially during the storyboard animatic stage when the story is still fluid. But taking notes isn't always easy; it can be hard not to feel defensive about criticism, however well-meaning it might be. Writer-directors are often quick to defend story ideas - even when these are not working well, and this can get in the way of making the project work better. Never forget that the person offering critique is there to help you, and that any criticism is always aimed at making the film better. Below are our three key rules for "taking notes".
Rule 1 - Don't take it personally
When our work is criticised, that criticism can feel very personal. Try not to take it personally. Our tutors and industry guests are there to help make your work as good as it can be - they are on your side.
Rule 2 - Make Changes Where Needed
Do your best to apply the notes, but understand that someone critiquing your work may not necessarily have all the answers or the right solutions. You will need to think creatively about how to implement their notes in the best way. But if someone is telling you that the story doesn't make sense, resist the temptation to tell them they are wrong.
Rule 3 - Write the Notes Down
Getting feedback is primarily a listening exercise. The person giving notes is giving up their time to help you, so honour their commitment by writing down what they have to say. This will help you focus on the notes themselves, and not on your immediate response to them. Take your time to consider how best to implement the notes - the answers may well come to you later.
To see more about how feedback works at Escape Studios, read this blog post.
Film-Making Resources
To see more film-making resources at Escape Studios, follow the links below:
Development & Pre-Production
The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for our BA/MArt in 3D Animation, follow this link. To apply for our storyboarding evening class, visit this page here. For the next 12 week animation course, click here.
- How to Write a Story
- How to pitch your film idea
- Why Animators Need Mood Boards
- Why Animators Need Colour Scripts
- Managing Group Projects
- Why Animators Need a Storyboard Animatic
- How to take "Notes"
- How to Record Voice-Overs
- Sound Design for Animators
Production
- Why Animators Must Wreck Their Rigs
- What an Animation Editor Does, Exactly
- Ten Rules of Animation Dailies
- Why Animators Must Check Their Hookups
- What are CBBs? (Could be Better)
- Using Lighting to Tell the Story
Post-Production
- Why Animators Must Test Their Pipeline Early
- How Animators Work with Composers
- Colour Grading your film
- Thanks and Special Thanks - Getting Film Credits Right
- How to Create the Perfect One-Sheet Movie Poster (and Why You Need One)
- Getting Yourself (and your film) Listed at IMDB
The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for our BA/MArt in 3D Animation, follow this link. To apply for our storyboarding evening class, visit this page here. For the next 12 week animation course, click here.
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