From Art and Fear, a great book of wisdom for artists of any kind, by David Bayles and Ted Orland:
The lesson here is simply that courting approval, even that of peers, puts a dangerous amount of power in the hands of the audience. Worse yet, the audience is seldom in a position to grant (or withhold) approval on the one issue that really counts — namely, whether or not you’re making progress in your work. They’re in a good position to comment on how they’re moved (or challenged or entertained) by the finished product, but have little knowledge or interest in your process. Audience comes later. The only pure communication is between you and your work.
What filmmakers working today give you the sense that they are “making progress in their work,” focusing on a process rather than “courting approval”?