Evaluation Question Three- what have you learned from your audience feedback?
- 1. Evaluation Question Three- what have you learned from your audience feedback? Gainingfeedbackfromaudienceisvital withinthe production of all three ancillary products as they are your target audience and main stimulus for your video. Therefore, audience feedback is very vital in the success of a product. Therefore, throughout the stages of my journey I made sure I gained feedback from fellow target audience members by carrying out a wide range of audience feedback to ensure that our product is successful. Also, as our target audience ranges from 16-30 yearsoldsit aidedmyproductionasI was withinthiscategorymakingiteasierto ask peers and year groups of this age aiding my feedback process. First focus group- Firstof all, Igathereda range of people from within the age category from our target audience (16- 25) a groupof people assembledtoparticipate inadiscussionaboutaproduct before it is launched, or to provide feedback tomyinitial idea. Before askingourfocus group our questions I played them the chosen song and then briefly explained my idea. From questioning our focus groups, I have gatheredvital informationwhichwill aid my research, from asking the following questions and the feedback is what I learnt from my audience and how I will adapt to their answers: 1) What do you think of our idea? From our target audience we found out that they thought our idea was unique and diverse as well as interesting therefore our focus group felt and understood our theme of indie and unique as we are creating an individual and unusual video. From gaining the feedback we found out idea was successful withinthe woodland,indietheme. Theyfeel our idea is 'edgy' meaning it is from the indie genre, unique and out there. Enjoyable from the sense of two friends seem to be having fun upontheirjourney. Therefore, we will have met our target audience needs by creating an unusual and indie vibe. 2) What should we take into consideration when filming our music video? From askingourtarget audience this question we have gathered that lighting is an aspect we must take intoconsiderationastheylyricsof the songportray twoshadesof lighting'Midnight Moon’ and 'Caught in headlines' and 'waiting for daylight to start' the words resemble different lighting techniques, the daylight links to lighter and more vibrancy and the 'midnight moon' essence of darkness and star lights. Also, I will consider the sun as a form of lighting will create (high key lighting) which will go well with the indie feel by capturing light rays. Also, from talking to focus groups we gathered that they feel body language of the actors and the emotion expressed by the actors are a key factor we should take into consideration as we are using two characters make and female byusingclose upshotsof the actors face to expresstheiremotions for one and other and by creatingtheiremotionsthrough the use of body language seeing a close up of them holding hands expressesthe emotiontothe audience.Also,myfocusgroupsaidmakingsure that everyone is clear of what they are acting this will show through clear planning and therefore have strongacting if everyone isaware of the ideaof the shotsand whattheywill be doing, creating a better final out piece.
- 2. 3) What location would you use and why? From our focus group we gathered a few different locations which could all be Incorporated therefore meeting the needs of each of our target audience. The first suggestion was a street,Iautomaticallythoughta dark street with the street lighting to fit the feel of the song 'Midnight Moon' having simplicity of the street create the magical essence of romance with the lightingandmeetingwithinthe streets. ThissuggestionwasaI was intrigued by the idea of creating a contrast of the couple withinacityand contrast with them within the fields which linked into the othersuggestionasone suggested London having the couple within a busy town creates the sense that love istheirworld and no one around them affects them how the audience will see the actors as the mainfocus withinabusy surrounding.Will consider this idea of seeing surreal V's the unreal to create an elementof aunique and intriguingfeel.The secondlocationsuggestedwasopenspaces for when the lyrics of the song suggest 'daylight' as to show a connection of open, light and free. However,thenconnecting withthe lyricsthroughoutthe deepermeaningandthe recurringsense of 'MidnightMoon' have the shotsseenwithinastreetat night where theyare enclosedwithinthe city to capture the darkness. Our other suggestion was an autumn park, this location I had already thought about using as the colours create a warming atmosphere the oranges and yellows which adds to the indie genre of the leaves falling and the it is a location that is a genre convention of romance as couplesseeninapark. From theirfeedbacki wasintriguedbythe ideaof contrastingthe daylightwiththe darkness throughthe use of two different locations a street with street lights and the autumn park. 4) What story line do you imagine for our music video and why? The first suggestion was a love story as we are using two characters (male and female) the instant reaction of the audience is a love story however, from the feedback I feel by creating a story as love develops throughoutthe videoshowsprogression,keeping the audience interested, leading onto the next suggestion which was deep friends that have hidden feelings, now I really liked this a suggestion as the audience can perceive them as to be good friends however by using unusual shots of close-ups of holding hands of a smile shows the hidden connection and emotions theyfeel addingaquirkytwist ontothe video.The thirdsuggestionwas how love that has developed from teenage years creating a story upon how the love developed from a younger age, this will be hard to succeed upon as more actors may be required to show how the love has aged and continued. however, and end shot of an elderly couple holding hands could be sued to showhowthe song creates a journey through the love. Overall from the feedback I feel in order to meetmytarget audiences needs I need to create a love story which shows a journey through their love using unusual shots to show the connection. 5) What is your favourite music video and why? First song was 'Anaconda' by Niki Minaj the reason being was his love for the artist, therefore by havinga loveableartistcan entice the audience to watch the music video, therefore by creating a loveable character through the music video will enhance the viewers as they can create connections. The second song was Frank Ocean song 'Swim Good' because of its use of props that appealedtohis target audience, creating that connection through conventions of props and use of unique shots, these videolayers’shotsanduses unusual close-ups of a girl laughing and the car air- freshenerandthe steeringwheel, a wide-shot of the ocean waves about the crash these variety of shotsall create a grippingstoryandthe collection of unique shotskeepsthe viewer interested. This iscan incorporate intomyvideoby adding in quirky shots and using layering to add an unusual and surreal feel.The nextsong was'See youagain'by WizKhalifaandCharlie Puth. Thisvideo was based
- 3. around the death of one of its main actors and this created a tone to suite the grieving of his friends. The lyrics was portrayed through the video by unique shots which I can incorporate by listening to the lyrics I can pick out specific shots that convey the lyrics such as 'animals out in the dark' capture a fox at night to show this. Also, last song was Avicii 'Hey Brother' he likesthis as the film shows the song (lyrics are interpreted) same as above the video shows the emotions felt through the lyrics. From this feedback I found that props are a major signifier and capture the audience. As well as this the lyrics should be conveyed through the use of shots. 6) Do you prefer long editing shots or cut shots? First answer was cut shots, he believed a collection of cut shots was more effective as the quick shots was interesting and can tell the story showing a collection can create a journey and can meet conventions by adding in shots which suite your genre. However, the other members believedthatlong shots were better as they felt more involved within the story and could capture the whole video within one to show continuous story and they felt it would suite my story as love can be shown through long shots which hold the emotions and show the love growing. However, I feel that cut shots would suite my genre as it will engage the audience by using quick cut shots of unusual props of close-up of hands or their facial emotions. However, to meet my target audience needs I may use long shots of the couple by however only a few to keep the viewers interested. From the above answers is what I learnt from my audience and this was very helpful as it aided me within themaking of my product as I could make sure and refer to my feedback in order to meet my targetaudienceneeds for the locations,to editing,narrativeaspectand to my idea therefore guiding me into the next steps. First questionnaire- I handedoutquestionnairestoasmall sample of people fromavarietyof age ranges.The purpose of thisquestionnaire wastofindoutif our targetaudience wasappropriate forourvideo and get some feedback on our initial plans. This task was very helpful as I have analysed my results from my questionnaires and have found out what my target audience wants and needs are of my musicvideo. FrommyfindingsIwill now tryandincorporate some of my research into my music video when coming to produce it e.g. costumes, vibrant lighting and colours. Overall, from doing this I now know that my target audience age grouping will be 16-25-year-old females.Byfinding this important information out prior to filming for our indie/pop opening, I am now more likely to incorporate settings and clothes in which my target audience will relate to. Therefore,thiswill make myindie/popmusicvideo successful as it will contain certain elements of typical female teenagers/early adults within which will therefore grip my audience from the first initial shots. I intend on using my results to help my video to appeal to our mass (67%) target audience of females as they were the vast majority of our respondents. Although this was targeted to my first idea (Wonderland) I can still use these results to my advantage as the age range isthe same andthe genre as well as settings and clothing, however the target audience I maybranch outto are broaderin age as it mayrange from16-30 yearold'sas indie style of musicreachesoutthroughemotionandmay relatestoeldertargetmembersmore,alsolow budgetmusicvideosare usuallymade forthisgenre astheyare filmedwithinnarrative locationsand show the artist being themselves, no CGI or anything out there as they want to use this to convey theiremotionfromtheirlyrics.Also,from the results see that favourite artists arsing is Jess Glynne
- 4. and Taylor Swift, whereas I am studying artists such as Laura Marling and Ben Howard who are of the indie genre andalternativenature.Althoughthisaudience prefermore 'pop/indie'asa groupwe have changed the idea slightly and therefore will be focusing more upon the indie and alternative side to reach out emotively. Social media pages- Aftercreatingthe social mediasitesIthenfeltasthiswas specific to my target audience and upon a social level Icoulduse thisplatformtogainfeedbackformymusic video. Also, after creating a band page on Facebookforour artistswe got feedbackin the comments after sharing our video onto the site our target audience left comments which aided us with audience feedback helping me to improve on aspects they felt needed it. Also, I could judge from their response whether I had met the conventionsasIwas receivinglikeswhere the audience have achance to click whether they like or dislike andabuttoncalled‘share’thismeant anyone could share our video and this would mean their friends could now view the video and this creates a chain gaining more promotion and more views aiding our feedback. Questionnaire artist name- I handed out questionnaires to 10 people in order to see what group name our target audience preferredandwhytogive us reasoning of their selection. As a group we managed to condense our listof potential groupnamesdownfromnineteentofour,withthe help of our teachers and peers. I then went away and surveyed ten people based upon my questionnaire in order to see what one was the mostpopularand bestrepresentedaduo.By askingthese questionsI managed to see what groupnamessuite our target audience andwhytherefore givingme anexplanation of why its suites our genre. Also,from my results 'Altered Islands' was most chosen, with the highest ratings. It was chosen due to its connotations meeting the conventions of this genre by using Altered (relates to Alternative) which is a form of indie music genre. Also, these words connote the artists as altered shoesthembeingdifferent, individuals andbeingthemselves with nature. the 'Islands’, means two of them(artists are portraying as their own two islands) coming together. Therefore, this was vital feedbackasthe artist’sname became the centre of all our productsbeingonthe frontof the digipak
- 5. and the centre of the advert, therefore it was vital for us to get the feedback and from the target audience to make sure we meet their demands and the genre.
- 6. Digipak feedback- Also,Iusedan app on my phone to have a video call with my friend (male, age 18) to get a broader feedbackuponmydigipak,ashe isa fanof indie genre stylemusicIsenthim a picture of my digipak and askedhisopinionuponit,he stated‘Ican tell straightawaywhatgenre itis as I can see from the use of sepia tones throughout and I love the way you have used a simple logo but I think that it is bold.The onlythingI wouldsuggestisto maybe make the fontbiggeron the back cover.’ Therefore, it wasverypositive feedbackandfromytarget audience aswell,IlearntthatI have used the correct style editingashe couldtell the genre andIfelthe loved the simplicity yet his improvement was to enhance the boldness upon the back and this is what I did in order to make it more clear and to create a statement back cover. Advert feedback- After having a visit from an outside examiner I asked him if he could give me some advice for my advert; taking this as feedback he advised verbally 'You have featured Midnight Moon twice upon your advert,alsoyoucouldmaybe include arelease date andfeaturingtracks'.FromthisI thenwent back and added in the extra detail and rearranged therefore the font and typography is laid out appropriately, also I have added an artist website in order for the fans to purchase tickets, merchandise and links to social media pages. As well as this I have added onto the advert a list of where the artistscan be foundand inwhatmediaplatformthe musiccan be broughtfrom (vinyl and CD),From receivingverbal feedbackfromandoutside teacher I have been able to edit my advert in order to gain the right information required upon the advert and from gaining this feedback I was thenable to workuponthisand I actuallylearntthatmy firstdraft advert was more entailed to tour datesrather thansellingthe newdebut.Therefore, I edited the advert and layout slightly and after was more satisfied with the professional look it gave and was now withholding the correct information. Therefore, from receiving this form of higher level feedback enabled me to progress with my skills within the editing of the advert but to see how I could create a more professional looking advert that incorporated the right details.
- 7. Final focus group- 1. Are there any specific shots you like and why? 2. Could you identify the genre of the music video? 3. Do you find our music video entertaining, if so why? 4. Did it take you to a Utopian or a fantasy world? 5. Did you think there was enough lip-syncing and was it of a good standard? 6. Do the effects suit our genre and why? 7. Could you identify any specific narrative theory? 8. Could you tell it was a love story? 9. Could you see the difference between the day and night? 10. Did you like the touch of the dancers? A Level Media ProgressCheck – Kiera Herbert Date 30/01/2016 Assessedby Myself Focus of assessment Final Focus Group Evidence ofprogress/ evidence of meetingcriteria Our focus group liked manyof our aspects: The wayI have conveyedthe lyrics through the shots creating an emotional attachment. Seenthrough the use of the lyric ‘Animals out in the dark’ the audience saidthey‘lovedthe wayyou have shownthe artists to be free and wildwithinthe nature showing their personalityto be of an animal’. The use of the dancer to show emotion is veryevident ‘retrocreational’ usedbya member of the focus group. Theyliked the use of our reverse shot as theyrealisedit was the narrative coming to realityand theysaid‘creates a flashback image’ this I what I intended. The stated that the storyline was 'cute as it was a friendship love'. Therefore, meaningtheyrealisedthe hidden narrative behindthe shot of the two artist having thislust for one another yet not being able to confess. Theygatheredthe genre bythe use of myfilters ofthe sepia tone ‘I like the home style videoas it gives it that indie vibe and cansee the artist’s happyemotion’ this is positive feedback as theyhave noticedthe style of videoI was aiming for andcanconnect to myartist emotions. Theyalso pickedup upon mydaydreamVs realityandthis was very proud as I thought it was hard to notice however one member stated ‘the daydreameffect of it beingcalmandtranquil’. Areas to work onnext/ ideasto consider However, we received some positive improvement ideas; One respondent said that there wasquite a long section(second verse) where there was nolipsyncing. Our artist doesn’t show anyemotion in the lipsync shots. Therefore, we did not receive manynegative comments however, the reasonthe second verse seems longer is I structurallyplanned the lip sync shots to be on everyend line of a verse andtherefore there is a sectionwhichcontains a longer verse therefore I wantedto remainthe continuity. Also, the parts withlittle emotionis of silhouettestherefore it is hardto show emotionandthat I wantedto create a darker tone to reality.
- 8. Therefore, I learnt from this feedback that I had been successful within genre conventions and narrative theory, however I lacked upon the aspect of lip sync shots, yet there was a method to my structure of these shots by placing them at the end of each verse. This task as a whole was very interesting and one that I felt was very beneficial to me and my group. Therefore, giving us key pointers on how to possible improve our music video in order for it to suit all of our 16-25 male and femaletarget audience.Also, aiding us within the production of our music video as we could see the slight adjustments they would make however we had reasons for their negative aspects. After, gaining feedback I learnt that my target audience was overall pleased with my music video and therefore I could be reassured I have met the needs of my target audience.