Oct/093
Everyone’s a Critic: The Blogosphere
Your movie is being released. You’re in the clear from criticism, right. Wrong. Not only do you have to contend with the “official” critics of old media magazines and newspapers, every yahoo with a blog or a website (including this yahoo) is going to feel free to sound off about your movie. You must decide whether to read the reviews and internet chatter or ignore them. If you decide to read, it is imperative not to take it to heart. This criticism is not constructive. The movie is playing in theaters. There is nothing you can do to fix it. The most constructive thing you can take from people’s comments is to do better with your next project.
Reviews are arbitrary. It can be very frustrating if you feel that someone’s criticism was unfair. In our world of instant access, it’s easy to contact the author, either by email or post. Before you dash off a hurried, angry response, I urge you to stop and think. Hollywood is a small town. You have no idea who this person is connected to or where they will be working three months from now. Imagine walking into a pitch and finding out the exec is someone you had a nasty email exchange with months before. You’ve already shown her how you take criticism. There is no way she will want to work with you. Writing an email or a comment may feel safe and anonymous, but they’re not. Emails can be forwarded, quickly making the rounds. Comments are not unidentifiable either. You have to give your email (even though it’s not published) when you log in to comment. Also, if someone knows your internet handle, they can Google it and all the comments you have made all over the web will come up.
If you decide to reach out, instead of telling the reviewer how they are wrong or defending yourself, make the exchange about creating a relationship. Share an anecdote about writing the screenplay or shooting the movie. Reporters and bloggers are hungry for material. Contact with the screenwriter will give them a leg up on everybody else. Perhaps they will repost or ask you to write a guest post, giving you more positive exposure. Give them the scoop on your next project. Use them to create buzz. Now that you are having a conversation instead of haranguing, if you need them to correct something in one of their stories, they will be more likely to.