Being a creator of something makes us inherently sensitive. When a person has put considerable time and effort into their creation their is normally a lot of passion involved. It can be really hard to take correction or even suggestions. The author of the passage we read did a great job of expressing her discomfort when someone needlessly critiqued her work. There is great value that comes from finding someone who is able to give appropriate feedback. It is really important to find someone at the same level as yourself as well. Make sure that the person has your best interest as well because you do not want to uncover your hard work to someone that will not value it for what you feel that it is worth. Obviously correction is needed while we create our work because we are so far from perfect, and having someone give you a fresh perspective of what your work means to them, gives you the input you need to better your work.
This is hard for me because film making is something I have never really done before. For most of the assignments in this class I feel like a fish out of water. I have been deeply grateful for the feedback and direction I have received from everyone.
I remember a time where I was struggling over some correction I had received when I was on my mission. One of the elders counseled me that when I received correction I should think about it later when I was not so heated, and that I should give the correction merit and way it out in my mind. If it was something I should change then I should adapt, if it was something frivolous or even something I did not need to change then drop it and let it go.
-Jeremy Ashworth
Monday, March 21, 2011
Mormon Artist Reviews
Jeremy: I loved the pictures of you interviewing. That was rather Brechtian of you, and quite satisfying for me. Your subject had some beautiful things to say about her art as it relates to the gospel. I loved how she said that every stroke and every line is influenced by the spirit. And that we hold up a title of liberty for the art world. I got such a strong sense of her devotion to the gospel and to her art and how the two things weave into each other.
Nick: Some of the photographs you used were really cool. I loved your subject's quote "It's classical music. It's history. And I feel like I'm a part of history when I play it." I think that, likewise, we are parts of history as we claim our place in the Church. I am studying Isaiah with Ann Madsen right now, and when we read some of Isaiah's prophecies, it is awe inspiring to consider that I, as a Latter-day Saint, am a fulfillment of some of them.
Feedback, follies and Freakin awesome presentations
I absolutely loved what this reading talked about. It did wonders not only for my understanding of the whole feedback process but also helped me realize that a lot of the things I feel and experience when I’m looking for feedback are not unique! I thought I was kind of alone in my own little pretentious world as I shared my creations with others only to see them get broken down in a way that made me question them as well as myself. It sufficeth me to say that this reading assisted me in realizing that that’s a normal reaction and while it may be slightly pretentious, it at least isn’t as freakish and uncommon as I’d originally expected. As I read this, I felt like I gained a few valuable and useful insights as to how I could take criticism during my creative process in an effort to make my work much better and more agreeable to everybody who views it. A large part of it involves swallowing my pride, just as the article so clearly articulated. Once I’ve found a few people who can read, appreciate and constructively criticize my work, I feel like I can get the ball rolling on getting a great story. The problem is that I don’t feel like I have a network like that at this junction. So one of my goals is to get such a network. One of my mission companions is a very gifted writer and I’ve resolved to contact him within the next three days about exchanging work and giving one another feedback and constructive criticisms. That way, we’ll be motivated to help one another since we can’t expect good feedback if we aren’t willing to give good feedback. My mom is also a pretty good option I think, she’s an editor for a newspaper in Cincinnati and has never really held back on criticisms (in a loving way.) Plus, she loves me and I believe she wants to see me succeed. Once I get feedback from these people, the real challenge comes. I have to swallow my pride and implement the input they give me. I think one of the better goals I can set up for myself is that of actually using the criticism given to me. I could easily see myself brushing it off or reasoning that my critics just don’t understand what I was going for but what they think and have to say is in reality probably extremely legitimate and something to be taken seriously.
Richard- Dude, I freaking love being the person who critiques your work. You have a style that I really appreciate and I think that was reflected in your interview. Not only was it very professional and very well done but it was also fun, edgy and had a very definite Richard flare. Your pictures were great and helped us see the artist in a candid light and thriving in his element.
Lizz- First off, your orange boots are awesome. Also, beautiful slideshow, you showcased the sculptures beautifully and the pieces you decided to show are great examples of the artist’s thoughts about being a Mormon artist.
Something Clever
The older I get, the more introverted I seem to become. When I was a small child, I wanted the whole world and I wasn’t afraid of it, but as I grew older I found reasons to be afraid. And I decided I want the whole world, but from a safe distance. It has taken courage for me to be a part of a community because of the way it requires of me to give of myself, which inherently means a certain amount of vulnerability. I tried the hermit thing, but the conclusion I finally came to is that my experiences don’t mean anything unless they’re shared. I am not here just for the sake of my own learning, but so that I can help others to learn and vice versa. After reaching this idea, I have made an effort to be very honest about myself and my experiences.
Now what does this have to do with airplanes criticism and feedback? I think that the reading did a good job of expressing how frightening it can be to allow people to look at your work, and not only that but allow them to look at it specifically with a critical eye. This kind of vulnerability terrifies me. Yet what I am finding as I am receiving feedback from my peers, is that most of them aren’t out to prove something. They really want to help me be my best self. And as I learn how to do that—as I increase my abilities and produce better work, my power to influence and help people will also increase.
So, as I seek feedback I hope that I can allow it to help shape me into a better artist. I seek clarity from it, and solutions to problems. And I hope that the influence of feedback will allow me to reach more people with my projects.
Feedback on the Podcast
Nick Dixon- I really appreciated the podcast that you were able to put together. I am glad that you were able to help us understand the depth of your roommate who is studying broadcast journalism. He seemed to me a man of many talents, especially his cello playing, and how this leads him to a sense of being refined. I am happy that he was able to vocalize something that I have always felt. The idea of how music is a conduit for the spirit, and that one can worship through playing an instrument.
Mont Toronto- The two brothers who dealt with composing music an animation were great examples of Mormon Artists. You did a tremendous job of capturing their lives as well as going into what it means to be a Latter-day Saint artist. The editing together of the clips with your interview of both of them was well done.
-Jeremy Ashworth
Mont Toronto- The two brothers who dealt with composing music an animation were great examples of Mormon Artists. You did a tremendous job of capturing their lives as well as going into what it means to be a Latter-day Saint artist. The editing together of the clips with your interview of both of them was well done.
-Jeremy Ashworth
Feedback for Podcasts
Elisabeth Weagal:
There was a great variety of photos, which kept the presentation visually interesting. I loved the connection of the spiritual dimension of artistry through motherhood. It was a bold move to select your mother as the topic of your podcast--many would consider turning to someone so close as being a cop-out in finding a subject, but your decision was clearly anything but that. It was compelling and your mother is surprisingly accomplished. It truly was a great exposition of secular accomplishments and how they are complimented with being a faithful mother and Mormon. One question: what does she do now? Is she still studying? Does she teach? Does she apply any of the artistic talents she had developed over the years in a professional setting? An update would have been a nice closing touch.
Melissa:
You also had a great selection of photos; they were timed to be appropriate for what was being spoken about in the interview. The music gave the interview momentum and thrust. It was a timely topic with a visible artist. And most of all, there was some great timing in the editing of the interview; just as I wondered when the gospel was going to be brought up, the interview began discussing it. I was pretty impressed.
There was a great variety of photos, which kept the presentation visually interesting. I loved the connection of the spiritual dimension of artistry through motherhood. It was a bold move to select your mother as the topic of your podcast--many would consider turning to someone so close as being a cop-out in finding a subject, but your decision was clearly anything but that. It was compelling and your mother is surprisingly accomplished. It truly was a great exposition of secular accomplishments and how they are complimented with being a faithful mother and Mormon. One question: what does she do now? Is she still studying? Does she teach? Does she apply any of the artistic talents she had developed over the years in a professional setting? An update would have been a nice closing touch.
Melissa:
You also had a great selection of photos; they were timed to be appropriate for what was being spoken about in the interview. The music gave the interview momentum and thrust. It was a timely topic with a visible artist. And most of all, there was some great timing in the editing of the interview; just as I wondered when the gospel was going to be brought up, the interview began discussing it. I was pretty impressed.
Feedback and Frustrations
I have received a lot of feedback for my writing over the years; feedback for essays, papers, short stories, screenplays, stage plays, and newspaper columns. With each round of revisions, I have stared at the feedback, particularly the more critical parts, and wondered why the reader hated me. Why did they think that I failed in this part, or the other? Am I wasting my time? Sometimes I walk away feeling completely uninspired and dejected. I resent taking any suggestions or making any changes because I feel like the reviewer was out to get me. Or that the reviewer didn’t know what they wanted out of the piece, or didn’t consider what I was trying to say, and threw the baby out with the bathwater.
But the feedback that I almost always consider, and often implement, is that given appropriately. It is the feedback that builds up and edifies, not tears down and insults. I am far more receptive to “this part is good, but this was lacking; here’s a suggestion for fixing it” than to “this doesn’t work.” When someone is thoughtful enough to add suggestions or positive reinforcement, it builds trust and I feel like their point of view is far more credible because they thought about what I was creating.
In terms of a goal for implementing feedback I receive, it is to be careful about the feedback that I implement. I often blow off compliments and focus on the criticism. That’s just how I work because if I focus on the positive feedback, it will go to my head and I’ll be no good to anyone. But I also tend to be a people pleaser, so I have to be careful that I only make changes that will strengthen what I want the piece to be, not what everyone else wants my piece to be. And when I revise, I make sure to keep it my own voice and style; I am revising my work to create a more refined incarnation of my work.
But the feedback that I almost always consider, and often implement, is that given appropriately. It is the feedback that builds up and edifies, not tears down and insults. I am far more receptive to “this part is good, but this was lacking; here’s a suggestion for fixing it” than to “this doesn’t work.” When someone is thoughtful enough to add suggestions or positive reinforcement, it builds trust and I feel like their point of view is far more credible because they thought about what I was creating.
In terms of a goal for implementing feedback I receive, it is to be careful about the feedback that I implement. I often blow off compliments and focus on the criticism. That’s just how I work because if I focus on the positive feedback, it will go to my head and I’ll be no good to anyone. But I also tend to be a people pleaser, so I have to be careful that I only make changes that will strengthen what I want the piece to be, not what everyone else wants my piece to be. And when I revise, I make sure to keep it my own voice and style; I am revising my work to create a more refined incarnation of my work.
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