Hey Reader,
Most studios treat feedback like paperwork.
It gets checked off but is never really "built in".
But at places like Buck and Wētā, feedback is the system.
At Buck, it's not just a step, it’s the rhythm. At Wētā, it’s engineered into how they scale.
They don’t treat iteration as damage control. They use it to shape the work while it’s still fragile and full of potential.
Here’s what we’ve learned from watching the best in the game:
→ Feedback isn’t a phase, it’s a creative tempo
→ Systems can protect ideas, not just timelines
→ Engineering iteration early makes everything better later
Let’s break it down:
1. Build feedback into the rhythm, not the review
When feedback becomes part of daily tempo, not just milestone check-ins, teams move faster and get better ideas. Think: sketch-mode frames, open-ended questions, smarter iteration.
2. Design for flexibility, not control
Wētā Digital runs massive productions using “minipods”—small, cross-functional teams with real autonomy. Each pod owns a slice of the project, makes local decisions, and runs internal reviews before surfacing work. The result? Faster feedback loops, less top-down noise, and a clearer line between creativity and execution.
3. Protect the idea before it’s polished
At the best studios—Buck, Psyop, Golden Wolf—feedback isn’t hierarchical. A junior can challenge a director. A producer can weigh in on rigging. It’s not chaos, it’s engineered. By making feedback flow sideways, not just up or down, they surface better ideas earlier and avoid the blind spots that wreck great work later.
Take a page out of the greatest's book, or you might be killing some of your team's best ideas.
We studied 4,938 articles, interviews, and case studies to figure this out. Then we made a manual—something we use inside Blacksmith, and now share with select clients.
Curious?
Reply and I’ll send you a copy once it's finished. (should be a few days).