How to Get Phenomenal Feedback
When we do something that we are proud of, we may ask others for their opinion. Regardless of what we say, when we ask for feedback, ideally – we would often like praise instead.
That’s not such a bad thing, but if you want that, ask your best friend, your spouse, your Mum. If you want a professional opinion, expect an expert opinion and expect it to be honest.
Mal Young (Holby City, Casualty, Brookside, Eastenders) gave a talk at Glasgow Caledonian University and he said “Don’t send me a script if you don’t want my honest feedback, because I might not like your work, and you might not like that. ”
Most people do not want honest criticism, they would like some praise. They ask for feedback on their showreel, performance, headshots, script etc – but they are not really asking for feedback. They are really saying “I think my headshots are great, but could you tell me which ones are the best.” or “I’ve no idea how good my performance was – could you please tell me that it was.”
As actors we are often lacking self-awareness (while plagued with self-consciousness), we rely on others for awareness. Our Inner Critic shouts loudly, he says the work is terrible and that we’re useless and lazy and he wants to sabotage our future just as much as yours does too. And someone else’s positive opinion will temporarily drown out that unhelpful inner bastard.
But as a professional acting coach, that’s not our job. And if we start going around reassuring people that their showreels are great when actually they are abysmal, we may as well give up coaching now, because our professional opinion will be worthless.
If anyone’s advice is fine, then don’t ask for professional advice, either you want professional advice, or you want to be flattered or reassured. Do you want to improve, or just feel good about yourself?
One of our coaches gave a workshop at Surviving Actors in London on the Inner Game of Auditioning. In order to practise, in order to deliver the best workshop possible, they wrote out the script many times, being precise about what points they wanted to make, and practised until the main points remained in their mind, so that they were free to improvise a little later.
In preparation, they did a practise-run at Acting Coach Scotland and some of our students were kind enough to give of their free time to be the audience. And they asked their fellow coaches to give feedback and that’s exactly what they meant.
And when listening to the feedback they wrote in large letters: NO BITING. To ensure that they did not attempt to unnecessarily defend theirself if the criticism hurt a little. The Best Way to ask for and get phenomenal feedback is to ask questions upfront. About the things that you want feedback upon.
Ask questions upfront and then ask clarifying questions later.
What aspects of my presentation could be cut without damaging the overall presentation?
Which parts of my showreel stand out to you negatively or positively?
Which of my headshots immediately attracts your attention, and which for the wrong reason?
Were there moments in the performance where I dipped in energy? Can you tell me about them?
The scene we’ve prepared for class, is my accent consistent or do I waver in and out, can you tell me where?
The scene we’ve prepared for class, we’re concerned about the stage business, where does it flow and when could it be better?
Then when they deliver their feedback, do not discount it. Do not bite, you asked for the feedback, listen to what they say. What if you don’t agree? You didn’t ask for someone to agree with you. You asked for their feedback, now grow some and listen to it. Write it down. And then clarify if necessary. See the second headshot that you liked, does it make me look my playing age? You said that didn’t think the second clip in my showreel worked to demonstrate my ability, was that the whole clip or just some section on of it?
So if you are really honestly looking for feedback, make it clear about what you are looking for feedback on and stop chasing praise and reassurance.