WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR AUDIENCE FEEDBACK?YOUR AUDIENCE FEEDBACK?

Evaluation Question 3

Samantha Jewiss

Obtaining Audience FeedbackObtaining Audience FeedbackOnce we had completed our main task of the music video and both the ancillary tasks of the digipak and magazine advertisement, we needed to get our potential audience to review and evaluate our work.

From getting feedback, we were able to analyse what went well and what wasn’t as successful. We were able to understand what would work better in the future if we were do the project again, especially as it was primary research into our targeted audience.

We asked ten people to watch our music video, look at our digipak and magazine advertisement and fill out a questionnaire of eleven questions. This gave our viewers the opportunity to express their views and opinions in an organised manner which we could refer to at a later date.

Our Potential AudienceOur Potential AudienceFrom our first questionnaire during the research and planning stages, we knew the type of people who would be interested in our media products. We involved these people within our focus group, as it would show a representation of those who would be genuinely interested.

Our focus group consisted of: mostly females, between 16 and 20 years of age, living in or near Harlow in full time education or with a part time job.

We did however ask two people outside of our target audience to provide a different insight into what they thought of our products.

Our questionnaire is very open ended, leaving the participants to express their views without the limitation of a specific question. They are able to write down their thoughts on a topic that my partner and I may not have thought about, therefore widening the extent and depth of our responses.

Feedback: AudienceFeedback: AudienceBefore we asked questions about our media products, we wanted to get a general idea of the background and tastes of the focus group. This would help us identify whether our products suited their interests, as this could affect the results. We targeted our focus group mainly on our potential audience as they would be the main consumers, however included a couple of participants outside of our target audience to provide a different perspective.

7 females, 3 males

1 aged 12-16, 7 aged 17 - 21, 2 aged 27+

6 listen to acoustic rock, 2 do not listen to acoustic rock, 2 listen to acoustic rock occasionally.

Feedback: Music Feedback: Music VideoVideo

For our music video, we asked our audience to write down the strengths and weaknesses of our product. This will allow us to see what things went well and were effective, in addition to what could have been improved if we were to do the project again.

Strengths: The audience liked the combination of the flashbacks and memories and the parallel editing. It was also mentioned that the combination of shots, more notably establishing shots, fit well with the genre and the song choice. Settings/locations were used effectively as well as the various costumes and props which added to the verisimilitude of the narrative. The two outside of our target audience felt that the content of the narrative suited the type of music well and was interesting to watch and follow.

Weaknesses: The audience felt as if the “build up” and “dramatic” part of the song where the chorus is played three times over should have been better portrayed in the narrative. Some argue it is not emotional enough and could have been better directed. Some shots such as the indoor fireplace scene had poor lighting and camera angles, so this could be improved in the future. Some found it hard to depict an actual narrative, and retell what happened in the video. It was easy to distinguish between flashback and present time, however it was difficult to follow what happened during the present.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4Opf7i1hJYg

• From the strengths that were stated, we could appreciate the emphasis placed on the narrative and the importance of the cinematography and mise-en-scene. As the audience gave us feedback on these elements, we could understand how even the smaller details such as choosing the right transition and using the right locations within our narrative has an impact on the overall music video, and more importantly how the audience receives our text. For any future reference, we fully understand the importance of research and planning and how this can impact the final product at the end. We will make sure we choose the right props, locations and camera angles/shot types as this was received positively by our focus group.

• However, our focus group gave us a variety of different aspects to improve upon. There was a comment on how the narrative did not always match the song, especially in the dramatic part where a female singer joins the lead. Our original plan was to have an argument between our actors however this did not go as planned. Our actors were last minute as our intended male and female role pulled out so we had to improvise and use who we could. As producers and directors of our music video, we can understand that the acting was not as high quality and professional as we would have liked. For future reference, we will ensure that our actors are definite before planning to shoot. We could also have casting sessions and advertise more, attracting a variety of different actors so we could choose the best suited to our text.

• Furthermore, we could improve some of the angles that we used especially in indoor locations. This can easily be improved by making sure we have a good set up and have practice shots. By reviewing our shots we would able to see if our shots were professional looking and also seeing if the lighting was effective, which was another area for improvement.

• Lastly, some noted that it was sometimes hard to follow what happened in the narrative. As producers and directors we were also worried that the audience would not be able to follow what actually happens. As we had to cut our certain scenes due to a number of reasons (weather conditions, lack of travel etc) our narrative is not as easily portrayed as it was planned in our storyboard. To improve, we could make sure that we include most of the shots that help tell our story as they prove important when it comes to understanding the events. Alternatively, we could make our narrative shorter/simpler so it would be easier for an audience viewing it for the first time to piece together the series of events.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4Opf7i1hJYgFeedback: Music VideoFeedback: Music Video

Feedback: DigipakFeedback: Digipak

For our digipak, we asked our audience to write down the strengths and weaknesses of our product. This will allow us to see what things went well and were effective, in addition to what could have been improved if we were to do the project again.

Strengths: The style of the digipak is consistent throughout and sepia/vintage colour scheme works well. The cover is appealing and interesting, and the camera shot type with the props and background work very well together. The conventions were followed as the disclaimer at the bottom of the back helped add to the verisimilitude, in addition to the website and barcode.

Weaknesses: Due to the muted sepia colour tone, some argued it would not stand out on the shelf whereas other said that the tone used fits well with the genre. Others also felt that the inside of the digipak didn’t look very professional as they could tell it had been edited, not adding to the verisimilitude.

http://samjewiss.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/678/

• Our focus group appreciated the conventions that we incorporated in our work which made it appear more professional, i.e the barcode, disclaimer, website etc.

• However, to improve we will make our design more appealing and eye-catching. As wanted to link our acoustic track with a vintage/sepia tone as we felt this worked well, some suggested that it would not stand out on the shelf. For future reference, we could do further research into acoustic albums/digipaks to see how they present their products in a creative way. By gaining inspiration from existing products we might be able to create an eye-catching digipak that not only suits the genre but stands out on the shelf and attracts audiences. This being said, some of our focus groups felt like the front cover suited the genre well. We could possibly think about using different colour schemes with the same props, or possibly use the sepia tone with a more interesting cover.

• Moreover, our focus group additionally noted that some of our digipak panels/images did not look real and could tell it had been edited. We had to use Photoshop to follow our mock up designs as we could not find the appropriate location. I feel as if the fault came within the research and planning stage as opposed to the construction. If we could have used the location we intended to originally then we would have been able to use a real location with props rather than manipulating a photograph, as this doesn’t look as professional as I hoped. To improve, we will ensure that we do efficient location scouting and make sure we have a definite location that can access. We could also try different effects on Photoshop to see if we could make our work look more realistic.

Feedback: DigipakFeedback: Digipakhttp://samjewiss.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/678/

Feedback: Magazine Feedback: Magazine AdvertisementAdvertisement

For our magazine advertisement, we asked our audience to write down the strengths and weaknesses of our product. This will allow us to see what things went well and were effective, in addition to what could have been improved if we were to do the project again.

Strengths: The main image is very effective and appealing, as it is ambiguous and raises curiosity. The use of the reviews and thumbnail help add to the credibility and are useful at providing a positive and attractive image of the album. The thumbnail will help audiences identify the album in store, which was said to be helpful.

Weaknesses: The font could be improved as it looks bland and is hard to read across the image. If it was more colourful and bold it would attract more attention. There could also been links to websites or Facebook pages so people could research more via direct links so that they could find out more about the band and album release.

http://samjewiss.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/magazine-advertisement-development-diary/

• To improve our magazine advertisement, it was stated that our font used across the top of the page wasn’t very eye-catching and was hard to read. We found it hard to find a colour that would stand out against both the darkness of the trees and the white sky as the text ran across both. We could possibly reconsider the background image, which make it easier for the font to be read. We could plan our photo-shoots more effectively, maybe scheduling it on a cloudy day so both the trees and sky are darker. We could then use a lighter font that would contrast more against the background image, helping it stand out.

• Furthermore it was picked up by our focus group that our magazine advertisement, although having reviews, did not feature any sort of Facebook or Twitter link, or even a website. I feel this is a very important area for improvement, as with the digital revolution and more and more people using social networking, advertising through these platforms and the Internet are key to a good release. For future reference, we will ensure that our media products are up to date with the latest forms of media, such as Twitter, as this means our target audience can access information from a variety of different sources which suit their interests. We will also include a logo ‘Available to download on iTunes’ as this again is important in terms of the digital revolution. More and more of our potential audience would rather download the tracks digitally as opposed to going in-store to buy a physical copy, so it is important for us to make them aware of how can they buy our product.

Feedback: Magazine Feedback: Magazine AdvertisementAdvertisement

http://samjewiss.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/magazine-advertisement-development-diary/

ConclusionConclusionOverall, our whole media package received positive feedback with 9 saying that the products worked well together as they followed the same house style and idea of ‘distance’ and ‘journey’.

Our music video, digipak and magazine advertisement all received positive feedback on mise-en-scene elements such as props and costume however there was room for improvement on some camera shot types/angles and lighting used.

Using software such as Final Cut Pro and Photoshop, we could improve our work by making it more eye catching and appealing yet still trying to portray the genre of our chosen song.

We could try and make our work look more professional by experimenting more with different techniques and ensuring that our work is the best we can make it.