Reviewing people you know
Tue, 27 Nov 2007, 12:04 pmDazzaB30 posts in thread
Reviewing people you know
Tue, 27 Nov 2007, 12:04 pmHey Everyone,
I've got a question that I would like some opinions on. I have recently written a review of a show that I saw. Quite a few of my friends were in the show and my review has been questioned because I know some of the people involved. (My review is located in this thread if you want to read it - http://www.theatre.asn.au/theatre_reviews/paris ) My situation however is that I live in a relatively small community and therefore I know quite a few of the people invovled in theatre around here. As such, it's difficult for me to find a show in this area that doesn't have at least a couple people that I know in it.
My question is then this: Is a person incapable of writing a balanced, un-biassed, constructive review of a show that involves one or more of that person's friends?
I personally don't think this is the case. Quite often my friends ask me for my opinion because they know I will tell them honestly. I do hold to a philosphy that there is no point in being mean when giving feedback - all that does is shatter confidence. BUT I will always be honest, and if this means telling someone (including friends) that I didn't think some work they did was good, I will, however I will focus on how to improve that aspect as opposed to just saying it was bad. Is that biassed? I personally don't think so, but I would love to hear what other people have to say on the matter.
Hoping to get lots of feedback
Darren
I think you read the wrong review...
Wed, 28 Nov 2007, 09:14 amJust a quick point - my review didn't say anything about getting singing lessons - that was the person who posted the first review in the thread. Mine was the next one.
Also, I totally agree that constructive criticism is the way to go - as I said, I try to focus on the positives in order to encourage development but if I talk about the negatives I try to talk about how to achieve what the tried rather than saying that it was bad.
However, my question was more about whether it is possible for someone who is close to cast members to write a balanced and constructive review. I too have done HEAPS of theatre study (I have a PhD in it) and I feel I am very honest yet constructive and understanding in my reviews. An assumption appears to have been made though that because I am friends with cast members I will give a glowingly positive review whatever the quality of the show. I disagree with that. You yourself have done the study, do you feel that you give honest feedback when commenting on friends' work?
Darren