\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do I become a better actor?\u201d<\/em> is one of the all-time classic questions we field here at StageMilk. Every one of our team members has a slightly different answer\u2014and if I had a nickel for every time I replied \u201cDo a warm-up!\u201d<\/a><\/em> I would be a wealthy man. <\/span>However, it occurred to me on a late spring\u2019s eve that a lot of our answers to this classic question tend to be self-centred: not in a selfish way, but in how they mostly offer advice and techniques that you\u2019d use in isolation. Warm-ups, reading<\/a> and seeing plays<\/a> are all great. But they neglect one of the most useful tools for improvement actors have: other people, and what they have to say about our acting. Let\u2019s talk about how to take constructive criticism.<\/span><\/p>\n Constructive criticism for actors connects critique of a performance, technique or process to an actionable recommendation for improvement. It is vital that actors learn to give and receive constructive criticism, as it is an invaluable tool for self-improvement. However, if communicated poorly, constructive criticism can be extremely hurtful and unhelpful to its recipient.<\/strong><\/p>\n Actors who hate constructive criticism have usually had a bad experience with it. And it\u2019s true that in the wrong hands it can be a real weapon of cruelty. So let\u2019s break it down step by step and fold it into your process: I guarantee you\u2019ll become a better actor for it.<\/p>\n Constructive criticism pairs an observation about something with a concrete suggestion on how to improve upon it. It\u2019s not just the identification of something a person might be doing wrong, or is able to do better; it\u2019s an offer that aims to improve that thing backed by third-party observation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sounds pretty reasonable when you put it that way, right? So why, you might be asking, do people get nervous around constructive criticism? A lot of people tend to focus on the \u201ccriticism\u201d part of the concept, rather than the \u201cconstructive.\u201d Society doesn\u2019t exactly gear us to take criticism very well because, from the moment we start school, we\u2019re taught about scores and marks. The higher they are, the better\u2014and failure must be avoided.<\/span><\/p>\n This is complicated further when you think about how much of acting is about trying and failing and then doing better: scene studies, improv, rehearsals, doing takes on a film. And each of these, in turn, are met with constructive criticism from teachers, directors, casting directors, even your peers and colleagues.<\/p>\n As actors, we are taught to both fear criticism\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em>rely upon it to get better. And that\u2019s to say nothing of how sucky some people are at giving constructive criticism. But more on that later.<\/p>\n Hopefully, you agree with me by now that constructive criticism is a good thing. Let\u2019s get specific as to why it\u2019s one of your best friends as an actor.<\/p>\n It\u2019s helpful.<\/b> Constructive criticism offers ideas for improvement from an outside perspective. The best kind is specific and precise, usually focusing on finer details rather than the big picture.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s actionable. <\/b>You should be able to walk away with things you can do to make the suggested improvements. You couldn\u2019t be heard from the back row? Great: so get thorough with your warm up, focusing on nasality and your upper resonators, and give some love to your articulators, too.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s positive. <\/b>Most importantly, if someone is giving you constructive criticism in the truest sense of the word, they want you to improve. They\u2019re not trying to shoot you down and make you quit acting\u2013that\u2019s called destructive criticism which is exceptionally <\/span>unhelpful. <\/span><\/i>T<\/span>hey recognise your strengths and are trying to help identify which muscles need stretching.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s not personal. <\/b>Well, it is to a point because it relates to you and something you\u2019re doing. But constructive criticism is about your work<\/span>, not who you are. And I\u2019d argue if it\u2019s not actionable, it\u2019s not really constructive criticism.<\/span><\/p>\n Sounds pretty good, right? Now that we know what we\u2019re looking for, let\u2019s figure out where to look for it.<\/span><\/p>\n Criticism comes from all over the place in many shapes and sizes. C<\/em><\/span>onstructive <\/span><\/i>criticism comes from knowledgeable and trustworthy sources.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a working actor, you\u2019re probably used to getting all kinds of compliments and observations from friends and family after the show. \u201cThat was amazing! You\u2019re amazing!\u201d<\/em> (- Mum.) \u201cYou\u2019ve got quite the voice!\u201d<\/em> (- Dad) \u201cYou\u2019re such a beast!\u201d<\/em> (- Friend.) \u201cI could have done that.\u201d<\/em> (- Jealous co-worker.)<\/span><\/p>\n Whilst a lot of the stuff we hear in the foyer can be nice and some of it not so nice, it\u2019s not often constructive if it\u2019s coming from people who don\u2019t have some level of experience themselves. <\/span>For this reason, seek it out from directors, tutors\/coaches, agents, colleagues and critics.<\/span><\/p>\n This isn\u2019t applicable to absolutely everyone who falls into these categories, however. You should <\/span>always <\/span><\/i>consider the person\u2019s experience when they\u2019re giving you feedback. A first-time director might have some great nuggets of wisdom, but they may not have as much actionable advice or attention to detail as someone more experienced.<\/span><\/p>\n Likewise for critics: just because they write in a paper, or have 100k followers on Instagram, doesn\u2019t mean they actually know what they\u2019re talking about. Their work is also extremely biased to taste and opinion. If they have a reputation of slamming actors in every review, consider whether or not they\u2019re concerned with the growth of the artists or if they\u2019re just trying to get clicks.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Your best bet for constructive criticism are teachers and tutors. These are people who are trained\u2014and have extensive experience\u2014in delivering feedback to actors in hopes of improving them. Failing that, seek somebody you trust and that you know wants you to succeed. Y<\/span>our agent, your tutors and your colleagues all have your interests at heart.<\/span><\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve established the importance of constructive criticism and where to find it, we can talk about how to put it to good use in your own practice:<\/span><\/p>\n Seek it out. <\/b>Ask and you shall receive. Seek experienced people you trust and make a point of asking them for their feedback. Good constructive criticism is never unwarranted; sometimes, you have to be the one who makes the first move.<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t take it personally. <\/b>Constructive criticism isn\u2019t useful to us if we take it to heart. Remember that it\u2019s about your performance, not you.<\/span><\/p>\n Listen before you speak. <\/b>If you feel the need to jump in and defend yourself, you\u2019re not learning. And if you need to explain your acting choices, you\u2019ve already failed: they clearly weren\u2019t strong enough in the scene.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Clarify. <\/b>Remember our definition: constructive criticism should be clear and actionable. If something doesn\u2019t make sense after they\u2019ve finished explaining it, ask for clarity. If something doesn\u2019t have an obvious and actionable means of improving it, ask for one.<\/span><\/p>\n Be thankful. <\/b>This is a note on professionalism: always thank the person. It can be tricky receiving feedback and it can be tricky giving feedback. Let them know you appreciate their time and effort and they\u2019ll be inclined to give more feedback next time.<\/span><\/p>\n Action the note.<\/strong> Take the advice. Don\u2019t ask for it, receive it and then forget about it a week later. Take action and make improvements.<\/p>\n Finally, practice. <\/b>Taking constructive criticism is a skill. The more you do it, the better you\u2019ll get at taking and implementing the feedback. <\/span>It will eventually become a source of confidence, knowing that you\u2019re surrounded by people who are invested in your development.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI thought your dramatic monologue could have used more excitement. Maybe you could add some juggling to the part where you talk about your father\u2019s funeral?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Sometimes, people get it wrong. Sometimes, everybody gets it wrong. It\u2019s infuriating: it\u2019s like some damn Twilight Zone\u00a0<\/em>episode because you feel like the only normal person left in the room. So what do you do when your constructive criticism is clearly not going to solve your problem?<\/p>\n I like to ask myself this: what prompted this note? They might be totally wrong with their suggestion, but if my work was absolutely perfect \u2026 there wouldn\u2019t be a note to begin with. Don\u2019t think of bad constructive criticism as a dead end. Consider it the call to adventure<\/a> for your very own investigation.<\/p>\n At the end of the day,\u00a0trust your instincts.\u00a0<\/strong>There is a certain level of intuition and introspection needed to discern what is useful and what isn\u2019t. But you gain nothing from rejecting feedback, so try to make this a rare occurrence.<\/span><\/p>\n Drunk on power, eh? Just kidding: it\u2019s great that you want to provide feedback and support to your industry peers.<\/p>\n Honestly, if you\u2019ve ever received constructive criticism, think about what was most helpful for you. After that, follow the same tips we outlined above: be concise, focus on the performance, suggest a course of action and be kind.<\/p>\nWhat is Constructive Criticism?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Benefits of Constructive Criticism<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Where does Constructive Criticism come from?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Using Constructive Criticism<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What if the Constructive Criticism is wrong?<\/h2>\n
How Do I Give Constructive Criticism?<\/h2>\n