LOL when you're reading an eval that suggests to read less and watch more you know you're on the right track.

Don't get me started with the anxiety around READING for a class where you are supposed to learn.

And esp with film students who :whispers: don't like to watch films.

In short: many of them would rather not do reading or watching. So do both in a balance that feels fair and useful to the purpose you have in mind and just trust that years from now they will realize reading is essential to being a better watcher.

I been at this game for...17 years?!...and despite how often my eyes roll and my mouth turns into a grimace, I still very much enjoy what I do bc I am Pavlovian ab the moment they pick up what you're putting down and run with it.

Don't happen often or even always. But it can.

Still...the thing that's consistent is how much preciouses who desire to be filmmaker just watch...like...5 things and feel fully pressed when you push them to watch 10 that they'd never select for themselves with readings to help make sense of it all.

That they don't realize they won't ever really get the chance to think about this kinda stuff and make the errors and learn in real time how to think about fixing them with EXPERTS is always sad to me. Expertise at their fingertips just wasted cause they like to watch; not read.

It just doesn’t click til long after they’ve finished matriculating how essential reading is to the holistic understanding of film and tv. I mean take a look around he...nevermind.

Anyway, all this to say that even being intentional about page length and reading amounts, “too much” is the easiest complaint and often is so very relative it’s unhelpful. That and “less reading; more watching.”

Also can I tell you the most backhanded compliment I have ever heard? “She’s really passionate about her class.” It’s so...mmmm.

Here’s why that makes me feisty. I’m very good at what I do. I’m also a little bit brilliant. They have no idea who I am when they take my classes(this isn’t like vain or proud. In my area I’m of good reputation) or that ppl ask me consult Bc I have expertise. What they get

is passion yes. But that’s not what happens in class. They get pure expertise and smart fast thinking and engagement and opportunities to have someone HELP THEM THINK AB WHAT THEY BELIEVE AND WANT TO MAKE and that transfers to them as: “she’s just real invested.” Like a hobby.

It feels like the time spent making a good engaging class is little more than a hobby from someone who has nothing better to do because if they did they’d not bother on a lesson. bless their hearts I love em for it but nah.

Anyway, think about your readings and length and amounts. Think about your screenings. I am fully transparent (to a fault) about explaining my logic for why we watch and read what we do. But at the end of the day it does matter—even when they don’t see it. End.