I've read this term on various websites who provide coverage or review for someone's screenplay. Some of them promise to deliver this type of criticism. What does it mean? If someone agrees to read your script(whether it's a paid online service, a friend or someone else) and promises to deliver "constructive criticism" what should you expect your review/feed-back to be like?
Screenwriting : What does "constructive criticism" mean? by Victor Titimas
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Constructive criticism means that the analyst will support any conclusion they make with concrete/specific examples of the work that they are critiquing, and why those examples are weak or not quite up to the standards. "Why they are wrong" should also be based on industry-accepted standards, and not just their own personal opinions. In screenwriting, there are many different parts of a story that have industry-accepted standards, and that are pretty well-defined and universally agreed-upon. A really good consultant/analyst will articulate those standards when critiquing your work; will cite your specific problem spots that may be lacking in those areas; and may even advise you how to get stronger in those areas.
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help with the craft and not attack the crafter. opinions are not helpful but suggestions and ideas are constructive.
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The purpose of "constructive criticism" is to help the writer with their story, to aid their creative intent, to hopefully improve the outcome of the project, rather than just impose a subjective opinion upon the work being reviewed — to be as objective as possible and considerate to the writer. Constructive criticism should offer valid, well-reasoned, experienced and knowledgeable opinions about the work, usually involving both positive and negative comments, but given in a friendly, supportive manner rather than an oppositional one. :) I hope that helps, Victor!
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Apart from the excellent definitions from everyone else thus far, constructive criticism means delivering it in a way that is non condescending, insulting or mean spirited. And I've been guilty of being a bit direct in offering opinions; but like Jules in Pulp Fiction I'm trying to be better. The worst, most mean spirited feedback I ever received, was three years ago from a guy at the Blacklist, who literally said my script "was the worst piece of shit he'd ever read." I didn't keep the review; but now I wish I had. Five months later, the first draft of that script was a second rounder at Austin Film Festival; and Matt Dy said the readers thought it was very entertaining. In any case, being civil with other writers is something that I place at the top of my manners list.
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I hope you asked for and got your money back, Phillip. I'm hearing mixed reviews about Blacklist feedback.
Victor G., Perhaps do a general search by topic in the Lounge and all threads related to the Black List will be listed. And here's the site: https://blcklst.com
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@Pierre: No, I didn't even think to ask for my fifty dollars. Back. About six months ago, when I criticized one of their for fee promotions to connect with a well-known director, the owner of the black list wanted to have a Twitter war with me. I responded by advising him Twitter was not a forum to engage in debate. However, I'd told him I'd be happy to provide him with my feedback offline. He wasn't interested in that. So that further reinforced my low opinion of that website. I'll bet if I was bagging Stage 32, RB would be much more interested in hearing my feedback. The Blacklist wants to create this perception they're for Star-Bellied Sneetches. The secret of the universe is all Sneetches are the same.
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Victor: A lot of screenwriters and other industry people use Twitter to promote things. It's good for that but not debating. S32 is a much better place for that. No limit on words; and many folks take full advantage of that, including me.
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@ Victor. I agree. Some people that ask for feedback are fishing for complements and when they don't get them they get mad and or will sometimes argue with you. That is why I quit giving people feedback.
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I don't believe in the term 'constructive criticism'. There is only criticism, and if you want to the best, you should welcome it with open arms, constructive or not. Most people do not. I remember a few years ago I worked at a driving range and I told a kid who was a horror fan who worked there about a horror idea I had, his response was 'that's shit'. I had to dig deeper and find out why he thought it was shit, so what appeared at first to be unconstructive criticism was really just non-embellished criticism. Nobody who doesn't know you wants to hate your stuff, that's illogical. The unvarnished truth is sometimes the best feedback you can get
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Most people have no idea how to give feedback. Constructive is about suggestions that build up more than the pointing out of issues that tend to break down ideas.
Steve: Well said.
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Steve said it very well. As far as how you should TAKE criticism, I've gotten some awesome advice from people on this very site! I had my work requested by a company on this site via a written pitch, and the feedback was kind of hollow and stupid. I then decided to pay to have three people read my script and comment(OUCH, that was EXPENSIVE), and it went like this: one guy loved the script, suggested minimal changes, one guy pretty much hated the concept and told me it sucked and the third person said it wasn't ready but made some suggestions that stuck with me and rung TRUE. My friends on this wonderful site have told me that GOOD criticism will ring true. You will KNOW it's right, because it may concern stuff you were kind of "iffy" on in the first place, for example, that secondary character just never took off because he needs a little more background, etc. "Constructive" isn't bashing, it's more like Steve Hammon said in his response. Hope this helps!!
Steve Hammon is right on the money.... as always.
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Constructive criticism is the opposite of destructive criticism.