Read: Feedback on Your Work

The goal of this class is to teach you filmmaking through the process of making your own films.

Just like in real life, however, there are no grades. Rather, if you follow the assignments and do the work, you pass the class.

You may be wondering about getting feedback on your work. That is not what this class is about. It is true that I’ve set up a way for students to comment on each others’ work, by posting things in the Filmmaking group, but take what you hear from others with a grain of salt. This is also like real life. You need to learn to be your own best critic.

How do you get feedback? You will hear from other people in the class, but you should also show your work to your friends and family, then listen to people you trust. If you send out your films, ask for honest thoughts; if people say they enjoyed them, you should be happy. If they say they didn’t love them, don’t be discouraged – ask them what they didn’t like and consider it. But always remember you must become your own best judge.

What’s the takeaway? Don’t worry about grades and don’t worry about “being right.” Listen to the lectures, follow the instructions to the best of your ability, and make films. My hope is that you can free yourself of having to make a certain grade or please a certain person, and instead just concentrate on filmmaking itself. It is possible one of the most difficult and one of the most enjoyable things you can do. I hope you have a great time doing it.