Pursuing acting, filmmaking, or screenwriting is an exciting but challenging path. As you work to hone your skills in these creative fields, you’ll inevitably face setbacks and self-doubt. During those times, a few generically optimistic words may provide a temporary mood boost. But in the long run, empty praise won’t help you achieve your goals.
Telling an aspiring actor “You’re so talented!” after their first mediocre audition or calling a new film “brilliant!” regardless of its flaws will ring hollow over time. When praise feels indiscriminate or disconnected from reality, it can actually have negative effects:
- It provides a false sense of ability and achievement when real skill development is still needed. An actor needs an honest appraisal of their audition to know what to improve.
- It removes incentive to get better. A filmmaker who’s constantly told “This is your best work yet!” starts to think their work doesn’t need refinement.
- It feels condescending over time. Actors and filmmakers know when they’re being patronized versus motivated.
More meaningful support provides motivation through insightful, specific feedback:
- Praise a particular moment of emotional truth in the actor’s performance.
- Critique the filmmaker’s pacing and suggest ways to add more effective transitions.
- Recommend classes, workshops, or films to study to improve weak areas.
Thoughtfully discussing the nuances and details of the craft is how mentors and colleagues can best encourage development and growth. So while optimism has its place, make sure your praise is rooted in a substantive evaluation of the actor or filmmaker’s work. Well-meaning but empty kudos don’t lead to progress. Honest, analytical support does.
As an artist in the film industry, if you can’t take critique and feedback, then you might be in the wrong field.
Simon Shih 