How to Watch your Footage.

This is tricky.

You’ve got to be professional and use that as your guide.

Meaning don’t watch it with your partner, friends, family and even most of your actor colleagues. 

Cherish your work; guard it. It’s hard fought for and precious. Treat it as such.

It’s not for giggling, and Ooh-ings, and Wow-ings, and Amazing-ings. 

It’s for critical study to get better at acting. 

If you’re self-conscious at all – stop watching. If you don’t like your eyes, lips, nose or the sound of your voice – stop watching. This is important. 

If it’s a negative experience then it’s a negative experience. It’s got to be positive and informative.

Did you hit the right note, is your mask suitable, did you catch the transition, is it believable, can you see yourself, can others see you, is it simple and clear, did you do the job required in the movie. 

Ask practical questions about what you see. Ask specific questions about what you see. General ‘I hate its.’ or ‘I love its.’ aren’t useful. 

Play it with just the sound. Listen to the tone. Play it with just the picture. Watch your movements.

You can watch it with professionals who'll give you objective critique. That’s useful.

And, just because everyone watches their footage doesn’t mean you have to.