100% fan. fervently opposed to the intellectualisation of art
^umm me thinks you’re in the wrong forums then.
I have written two screenplays, neither of which have sold. Otherwise, just a fan.
@Curtis
One thing about being a film student, is that criticism is taught as if film can be broken down into its components and then scored appropriately. Almost to the point that you are incorrect if you say a certain shot has beautiful composition, and you can’t justify that claim with the provided text for the course. Drives me crazy. Art isn’t a science.
I’m not saying I dislike all critics though. I appreciate when critics recognize that their word is an opinion, and I read a lot of criticism. I just have trouble with the current philosophy behind film criticism.
He didn’t say that.
@Alex
You’re absolutely right. I realized my comment wasn’t relevant after I typed it. I just posted it anyways.
Sure. As myself, i’m only a fan who really loves editing my own videos as an amateur, i made a course about scriptwriting and it was horrible, people had 0 interest for cinema, or maybe i’m too crazy about it, plus… i didn’t learn anything relevant.
Lover of film.
71.3% Production side, 28.7% film snob (not really, but I’m accused of it), 100% opposed to critics
Fan side.
I tend to agree with the Woody Allen quote “Art is just entertainment for intellectuals”.
I consume this product called film in mass quantities and cannot stop.
@Jirin
Woody Allen is probably one of the most quotable individuals. I used to just look up Woody Allen quotes when I was bored in class.
@ULI³CAIN
I think the opposition to criticism comes naturally to those interested/involved in production. It makes me mad enough to want to find a different career path sometimes.
An addict who keeps trying to find his way into the inner circle.
Just a cinephile.
In my opinion you can only make it (as an auteur) if you have obsession and a small madness in you, of course i’m not talking about blockbuster… people who wants money (as a bunch of nobodies in Hollywood) can make it, having contacts, an autuer it’s all about his creativity.
Correct me if I’m wrong, i don’t want to be inappropriate or whatever.
Well, I don’t believe in the Auteur Theory, but neither do I care about the money. It’s about the story and the art forms involved in film making.
Film is about collaboration and what the collection of individuals can bring to a joint effort. Even if I write the script and director and even edit, it’s not wholly about my creativity, but about the creativity of everyone involved.
71.3% Production side, 28.7% film snob (not really, but I’m accused of it), 100% opposed to critics
What do you have against critics? Good critics, that is. I’ve been guided to some great films because of critics that know their shit. Saves me time by avoiding films I would not enjoy.
I avoid reading any critics, but if there is a good critic out there — one who understands film making and the whole process — then great, and I’d look forward to seeing their objective opinions. Too often there are critics with axes to grind for whatever reason. My disdain for critics and for avoiding their opinions and the supposed canon have been well voiced and argued here; always decide for yourself.
Production, but a lot more in the comercial/audiovisual area than actually cinema though
Complete fan here, too. I don’t really have any interest in the nuts and bolts of actually making films.
I thought more Mubians were trying to be filmmakers or critics….
@Mogambo
I can’t speak for him directly, but as someone who works on the production side making short films, and commercials, I think we are a lot more sensitive to criticism and a lot more open to filmmakers than a lot of critics. And by sensitive I don’t mean I am insulted when people say my work is bad, I mean I’m insulted for others. When you really start writing, directing, etc. you realize that every film amazing, decent, or awful takes a lot of work. Even if you think a crew is just in it for the money, or not as engaged as some, chances are that project still took a lot out of them. A lot of critics are like the doctors that come to work, diagnose the patient, and then get a good nights sleep. I think people on the production side are more likely to get to know their patient, and can more easily invest themselves.
But there are exceptions to every rule.
All of the above. I love movies, I talk about movies, and I make movies. I wouldn’t be able to break down to what percentage of each but a good rule of thumb is that if I’m posting a lot of stuff here then I’m getting less done making and watching them.
—PolarisDiB
@Uli
Which is why I do my homework and am aware of any biases a critic might have. A good critic will always be upfront about things that they are incapable of being objective about.
@Cody
Has a critic ever HELPED you improve your work going forward?
@Mogambo
I’ll give you that. As a tool for the filmmaker it has the potential to be productive. But it can also be destructive. I don’t want to give the impression my work gets a lot of response from critics though. Mostly employers telling me they want something done a little differently. But your point still stands.
DP… Mubi hates iPhones.
I guess I’m on the production side. I used to be a “cinephile” a few years ago, watching 2-3 movies a day, but now I rarely watch films anymore for whatever reason. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s like a very strange mental block.
As a critic, I am truly awful
@ULI³CAIN
Film is about collaboration and what the collection of individuals can bring to a joint effort. Even if I write the script and director and even edit, it’s not wholly about my creativity, but about the creativity of everyone involved.
Even though everyone in the film crew is valuable, at the end of the day all these people have to follow the director’s vision, that’s why it’s called “director”.
and a director should trust the actors, and have faith in the script that was taken on. The story doesn’t come necessarily from the director, it comes from the writer first (of course, if someone is directing their own script …). The story is what should be served, not the director’s will, and a good director works the story, doesn’t bend the story to fit what he/she wants. He/she collaborates with the writer to create the best story.
The Auteur Theory is bunk
ULI I totally disagree with the notion that a film has to be a “collaboration”. It can be, just like music can be. It can also be solitary, just like a novel or music can be.
I personally don’t plan on delegating creative control to anyone for my work. I actually don’t even have interest in people’s suggestions either, anymore than the author of a novel or poem would want people “collaborating” on their work.
Cody Tank
I am sure that shortly after posting this thread someone will post a couple links to past topics that cover this, and condemn me for not using the search function. I assure you guys I did a couple searches with different keywords and couldn’t find one (surprisingly).
I’m curious how the Mubi community is divided. Basically I want to know who’s involved with the production side, who’s involved with film criticism/studies, and then who comes here simply as a fan (detached from film as a profession).
I’m currently a student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Double majoring in Film Studies and Anthropology. My focus is on production and I run my own video production company. At this point however I’m simply taking whatever jobs I can get (Right now I’m making training videos/promotional videos for a conveyor belting company). After college I’m planning on moving to Sweden, and trying to make my way into the film industry there (I’m not sure how difficult that goal is?).
What about the rest of the community?