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Writer's pictureAmanda Moresco Von Lumm

Why your opinion doesn’t matter: a thought on constructive criticism.



Opinions are like a**holes. Everybody’s got one and they’re all full of … well, you know.


Let’s say I write a screenplay and share it with a group of respected peers, my goal is to get notes on how to better tell my story, not to hear what you thought of the story.  I don’t give one damn what you thought of it. I’m not trying to impress you. Did you think the story worked structurally or did it lose focus somewhere? Did you believe the dialogue was being driven by a strong enough need?  These are valuable pieces of feedback.  Opinion is the lowest form of critical thinking. When you feel that you don’t like something, ask yourself WHY. In your answer, you MIGHT be able to find something of value to offer.  If you’re only able to formulate a thought based on your feelings, you’re not ready to give feedback. Keep your useless opinions to yourself.


Furthermore, should you  find yourself in a room full of people spouting opinions on each others work without any helpful solutions to offer.  Well, refer to my opening statement and get the heck out of there.   ✌🏻

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Patricia O'Neil
Patricia O'Neil
Mar 11, 2023

Important to keep this perspective, thank you for putting this into words so succinctly Amanda. Too many offer their 100% subjective, initial stream of consciousness impressions based on their own emotional composition before they've had time to process the work objectively. It takes seconds to ask yourself a few questions before opining: i) it it true, ii) is it being presented with kindly, iii) is it necessary (i.e., is this about me & my trauma or the body of work that we just experienced together). Thanks Amanda, you're a national treasure 😎

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Totally agree Patricia! Great checklist to ask yourself before offering any advice. And thank you for your kind words. ☺️

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dollasecoaching
Mar 11, 2023

Right on. It’s what I’ve had to come to after years of being too critical myself (and about myself of course). It’s too easy. Finding out why you felt something didn’t work… that’s hard. And where the real work is.

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Agreed

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Timothy Nolan
Timothy Nolan
Mar 10, 2023

Friggin’ love this.

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🙌🏻🙌🏻☺️

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