How to Give Clear, Constructive Feedback on a Video Edit (Without the Overwhelm)
You just received your first cut — and now it’s your turn.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to give feedback on a video, you’re not alone. At Fragrant Film, we’ve worked with clients across every industry, and one thing we always say is: you don’t have to speak “filmmaker” to help us shape something great.
You just need a clear process.
Here’s how to offer thoughtful, productive feedback — without overthinking it, rewriting the whole project, or derailing momentum.
1. Appoint One Point of Contact
The #1 way feedback turns chaotic? Multiple voices, multiple directions, and no clear decision-maker.
Our recommendation: choose one person on your team to collect and deliver feedback. They don’t have to make every decision solo, but they should consolidate it all into a single, aligned response.
This protects your team’s clarity — and keeps us from playing note ping-pong.
2. Watch the Video All the Way Through First
Before offering feedback, watch the full piece at least once without pausing. Take it in as your audience would — with fresh eyes and a little patience.
Then go back and watch it again with a critical lens.
The first pass gives you instinct. The second pass gives you detail.
3. Be Honest, Not Overly Polite
If something doesn’t feel right — say so. We can’t fix what we don’t know. Just avoid vague phrases like “It feels off” or “Can we make it pop more?”
Instead, try:
“This section feels too fast — could we slow the pacing down here?”
“The music doesn’t match the tone of the voiceover — could we try something warmer?”
“This quote is strong, but it’s buried. Can we bring it forward earlier in the edit?”
Honest, respectful clarity always helps us serve your vision better.
4. Group Feedback into Themes
Instead of sending a laundry list of scattered notes, organize your feedback into clear categories. For example:
Music & audio
Pacing & structure
Text overlays or graphics
Visual preferences (shots, transitions, color)
Brand voice or tone
This helps us batch revisions more efficiently — and ensures nothing gets lost.
5. Anchor Your Notes in the Original Goal
Every revision should move us closer to the goal — not just reflect personal preference. So when reviewing, ask:
Does this speak to our target audience?
Does this reflect our brand’s voice or tone?
Is the message clear, emotionally resonant, and on-mission?
If it is — great. If not — tell us why. We’ll take it from there.
Final Thoughts
Giving great feedback doesn’t mean having all the answers — it just means helping us see what you’re seeing. And when clients offer feedback that’s focused, organized, and rooted in clarity, it helps us create a final product that reflects both your vision and our craftsmanship.
At Fragrant Film, we’re here to help you feel seen and supported — from the first draft to the final frame.
Need help gathering internal feedback or navigating approvals? We’ve got tools for that too. Let’s make the next cut even better — together.
