Why Every Filmmaker Needs to Be Their Own Best Critic

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned as a filmmaker is simple: you’re not blocked- you just don’t know what you’re trying to say. And when you finally do write something, it’s probably not perfect. That’s okay. That’s where being your own best critic comes in.

At Parthenon Pictures, we believe great storytelling isn’t about getting it right the first time. It’s about being willing to tear apart your own work and rebuild it stronger. Filmmaking, whether it’s a 30-second commercial, a branded documentary, or a feature film- is a process of rewriting, revising, and refining until the story resonates.

Tear down the Script Not the Screenwriter

Too often, filmmakers surround themselves with yes-men. Once money is on the table, people stop pushing back. That’s dangerous. Without honest feedback, you risk producing something inauthentic. The solution? Become your own toughest critic. Write the messy first draft. Hate it. Then put on your editor’s hat and fix it. That’s how scripts, and films get better.

I absolutely HATE my first drafts. When I finish them and read them, I feel disgusted and really reflect if I should even be in this industry. BUT, I also really know how to judge people. We all do… admit it. Whenever someone gives me a script to read and give notes, I am able to rip it apart, but also provide really strong constructive feedback. Guess what? I can do that with my own work too. When I take a moment after a first draft is written, and stop self depricating how I am the worst writer in existence, I provide feedback. Not as a writer but as an audience member.

My first feature length screenplay - which has now been totally rewritten.

Be Hard on the story - not yourself

This philosophy guides every project we take on at Parthenon Pictures. From script development to production to post, we challenge ourselves and our clients to ask: Does this work? Does it say what we want it to say? Will an audience care? By approaching projects with this level of honesty, we ensure the final product isn’t just beautiful- it’s meaningful.

Being your own best critic doesn’t mean tearing yourself down. It means caring enough about your story to demand better from it, and from yourself. That’s the same energy we bring into our commercial productions, branded documentaries, and integrated campaigns.