THICK SKIN, SOFT HEART.

“This is possibly the worst film I have ever seen.”

 

The above is an actual quote from a posting at IMDB about my movie, “High Roller.” At one point, a comment like that would’ve bothered me for quite awhile. But no longer. At least not in the same way. Because on my journey through the filmmaking jungle, I learned a few things. And I humbly offer them up to you now; particularly those who might choose to enter the most treacherous of emotional territories: the public creative enterprise. To wit, a feature film:

 

1. The only thing worse than being talked about is NOT being talked about.

Films, and all art, exist only in the presence of those who observe it. To receive a negative response means that someone took the time to respond. Your work was seen and registered. This is why you did it in the first place, right?

 

2. The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference.

As a follow-on to the above, getting a STRONG negative response means your work got to the viewer; it rankled them enough to generate emotion, which is the highest effect of art. If they then go out of their way to document that emotion, all the better. Further, I pretty much guarantee you’ll get positive responses with the same vigor. I did. Polarization generates controversy. Controversy stimulates publicity. Publicity, well, you know.

 

3. Everybody’s got an agenda.

You can pretty much take to the bank that anyone who really goes for your jugular has more issues with you than just disliking your work. It could be that your subject matter or point of view disturbs their self-image (I got chastised by some gamblers for refusing to glorify a legendary compulsive gambler), it could be a simple jealousy issue, or it could be something entirely unrelated to you (I found that one particularly vicious reviewer at a festival had been fired from the festival staff, and had hammered EVERY film shown there online). It should also be said that everyone that gushes over you should be measured at least as carefully, if not more so.

 

4.Criticism helps you grow.

If you can develop the appropriate filters for yourself, criticism can make you better on a lot of levels. First, even the most personal attacks generally contain a grain of truth worth considering. Blow off the rest. Believe me, it gets easier. Second, embrace those truly constructive souls who criticize with intelligence and sincerity. Get more out of them if you can, on your terms. Ask questions.

 

All of this is not to say that criticism isn’t difficult. It is. And because, as artists, we try to remain as sensitive to the world around us as we can, certain types of criticisms, well, they just plain piss us off. But an emotional response usually just makes one look like an ass. And worse, you let the bastards know they got to you.

So as you struggle with the opinions that blow around you as you create and exhibit your art, remember what Eleanor Roosevelt said:

 

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right–for you will be criticized anyway.”