A2 Evaluation Question 3: What have you learned from your audience feedback?

1. Question 3
What have you learned from your
audience feedback?

2. Introduction
After having our first trailer completed, I created a survey for an audience to
answer using a website titled ‘Survey Monkey’ which allows its users to
construct an effective survey, with multiple options for different types of
questions, such as ‘Multiple Choice’ or ‘Checkboxes’, allowing you to acquire
answers in alternative ways. For responses provided, the website lays these
answers out in an orderly fashion, such as in charts or percentages.
To spread my survey, I used Facebook by placing it in my timeline as well as in a
group chat of many of my friends, the latter of which would mean people could
see it faster, rather than simply happening upon it on
the timeline. Overall we received 24
responses, allowing us to have a
balanced number of replies,
providing multiple interpretations
for our trailer and the other things
asked in our survey.

3. Question 1 in our survey
What is your gender?
Male (75%)
Female (25%)
While the notions of gender affects the feedback of a film trailer, and since it was
put out to a large diverse audience, the gender was not going to be something
that could be controlled, arguably, our film would appeal to a more
predominant male audience, with its harsh depictions of graphic violence and
suspense. This isn't to say it would not appeal to a female audience, but
typically, this would be the demographic a film such as ours would be targeting.

4. Question 2 in our survey
How old are you?
Under 18 (29.17%)
18-24 (54.17%)
25-34 (4.17%)
35-44 (0%)
45-54 (12.5%)
55-64 (0%)
65+ (0%)
Similarly, to the first question, there was no way to control the age of people answering
our survey; however, it could be interpreted in a certain manner in regards to our
trailer's demographic. Facebook's primary demographic is that of the teenage and young
adult audience, much the same as our film. With this age category being the most often
selected, this might mirror that of what demographic would be interested in our trailer.
In addition to this, the vast majority of trailers are posted onto various social media
platforms in order to appeal to their target audience. That is why trailers for superhero
movies such as 'Avengers: Infinity War' were seen in abundance across social media, in
comparison to historical films like 'Victoria and Abdul', because the latter would not
appeal to the demographic that would typically use social media. Our trailer would
certainly be posted and shared across social media in order to appeal to our target
audience of 16-24 year olds.

6. Question 3 in our survey
What appealed to you most about our film trailer? What did you like the most about it?
The acting (12.5%)
The characters (0%)
The plot (16.67%)
The editing (12.5%)
The music (25%)
The title cards / film's title (0%)
The camerawork (25%)
Other (please specify) (8.3%)
This is the first question of the survey which addresses the audience's own personal opinion of our trailer. From the
results, the audience were most interested in the music and the camerawork. The question specifically asks what
audience's liked about our trailer, so this suggests that the film's score and cinematography might be a selling
point for the film. Modern films which have used these as their selling points are ones such as 'Baby Driver' and
'Blade Runner: 2049' respectively. Other than the characters and title cards / the film's title which had no votes,
the editing and acting drew at 12.5% and then the plot came just above them. In our improvements section, there
were suggestions to develop characters further within our trailer, as well as the plot, of which audience's found
both vague and somewhat confusing. Unless this was done intentionally, this could be a problem for film trailers
because it would mean that audiences would not know what they were going to watch, other than what they may
have picked up from the tropes of a genre the trailer might have depicted (ours being thriller). Or on the other
hand, it might make the film seem enigmatic, which would certainly suit our genre of film well. Either way, these 7
elements are things which audiences might base their opinions of a film trailer on. In our 'Other' section, two
people commented in it, both of whom stated that the suspense built up throughout the trailer was what
appealed to them. Naturally, this is a convention of thriller trailers and thriller films in general, which shows how
our trailer fitted in with the codes and conventions of what thriller trailers should consist of.

8. Question 4 in our survey
Please suggest one improvement you think could be applied to this film trailer.
There were many improvements suggested, some more precise than others. Some
were speaking about the trailer in a broad sense, others went into more
precise, technical details. There were repetitions of answers so a quick
summary of them is:
- Shots that lasted longer
- Alterations to fonts
- Improved acting
- Improvements to transitions
- Colour correction
- More dialogue / a developed plot / characters
We have used such improvements suggested here when changing our trailer, such
as the change in font and the editing of transitions. Otherwise, things such as
the acting and scripting of the trailer was not possible to redo because we had
no time to reshoot or re-script. The improvements were useful because it
shows everybody's different takes on the trailer, and their analysis of what
might be missing from what they expect from a trailer.

11. Question 5 in our survey
Would this film poster motivate you to watch the film it is advertising?
Yes, from this poster, I would feel intrigued to watch this film in cinemas. (45.83%)
Maybe - this film poster is interesting but I wouldn't solely watch the film because of it. (45.83%)
No - I wouldn't watch the film because of the poster. I'd rather see something else like a film trailer, etc.
(8.33%)
No - the poster does not appeal to me and I wouldn't be interested to watch the film. (0%)
Before this question, I inserted our film poster above to present this for the audience to see,
naturally because posters are another one of the major marketing utilities. This question asks
how much the poster would intrigue them to watch the film, because it is used as much as
the trailer is used to entice audiences. It has the same purpose as the trailer, but I was
interested to see how effective it might be in comparison.
Back in the infancy of film, posters were the only source of advertisement of films, outside of
trailers shown in cinemas - but of course they were only accessible in cinemas, so posters
were integral for the promotion of film outside of this, and therefore a lot of effort was put
into them.
As my survey suggests, there is a high percentage of people who wouldn't solely base their
intrigue on a film on the poster (and as a further question suggests, they might be more
inclined to watch trailers instead). This shows the change in attitude towards the marketing
of film and what people are more enticed by. Trailers have become infinitely more accessible
to the populace with their prevalence on social media, etc, and are now one of the main
sources of marketing used. However, as this question also suggests, there are still plenty of
people who would feel intrigued by our film, simply by the poster.

13. Question 6 in our survey
Do you think our film poster links together well with our film trailer? Do they
work well in conjunction with each other (do they work well together)?
Yes (91.67%)
Kind of (8.33%)
Not particularly (0%)
No (0%)
Many people supported the fact that our trailer and poster worked well in
conjunction with each other. This might be essential for marketing, so the same
tone is presented, as well as similar messages. The vast majority of people did
think so which is encouraging, especially considering that our brief desired us
to have them work well together. Nobody thought it didn't work together
which showed that our poster was a success.

15. Question 7 in our survey
What would entice you to read a film magazine?
The main feature (29.17%)
The film reviews (16.67%)
Articles about famous actors or directors (8.33%)
Articles regarding classic cinema (0%)
Articles concerning modern, contemporary films (12.5%)
Competitions (0%)
None of the above - I'm not interested in film magazines (33.33%)
Other (please specify) (0%)
I couldn't have questions in my survey concerning people's opinions of our film magazine and how
it worked in correlation with our poster and trailer because of the restriction of questions 'Survey
Monkey' imposed on their user. So therefore, I improvised by asking what general tropes of film
magazines most appealed to audiences reading it. I recognise that not many people are completely
interested in film magazines, and while I did put an option for people to select that they weren't
necessarily fond of such magazines, in hindsight I slightly regret putting it in because it meant that
people weren't forced to select an element of film magazines that would appeal to them.
Nevertheless, the general consensus of what people might be intrigued about in film magazines
was the main feature, which is expected, considering that this is what would take up the most
space on the front of a magazine, and would be used to attract audiences. Film reviews were
second highest (if we are ignoring the 'None of the above' option) which is a classically popular
point of film magazines, considering that this is where critics have their opinions on films, and
might be the influence for many audiences on why they might want to watch a film.
The other points which were voted for showed that people have interests in new films and current
actors, which many film magazines use as a selling point, i.e. first, exclusive looks at a new,
upcoming film.

17. Question 8 in our survey
How much do film magazines / reviews / articles influence you to watch (or not
watch) a film?
A lot - I frequently read film magazines and film reviews / articles which make me interested
in watching a film. (4.17%)
A bit - I don't always read film magazines other than when I see a film I am interested in.
This might make me want to see the film more. (33.33%)
Not really - I don't read film magazines often. (50%)
Not at all - film magazines are not interesting to me and don't do anything when
influencing me to watch or not watch a film. (12.5%)
My survey does suggest that not many people are completely convinced upon
whether they want to watch or not watch a film simply due to what film reviews
suggest. Critics might be biased in some respect, and anyway, critics are just
glorified opinions and many audiences would want to settle their own opinions on
a film themselves, rather than have it dictated by a magazine. Some people might
see a critical opinion as a motivation to see a film, but a negative opinion might not
immediately deter them from watching it, especially if marketing is positive, such as
'Suicide Squad' or 'Batman v. Superman' - films not critically acclaimed by
magazines, but because of their involvement in superhero films and their successful
marketing campaigns, managed to take in a high grossing box office.

19. Question 9 in our survey
If you don't read film magazines, what typically excites you to watch a film as an
alternative?
The trailer (this can be at the cinema, on Youtube, at the cinema, on the radio, etc)
(82.61%)
The poster (0%)
Word of mouth (17.39%)
Online advertisement (0%)
Interviews with cast and crew (0%)
This question just asks what people would be more motivated to see a film as
opposed to the posters and, as expected, a large proportion of people said that
trailers are the marketing schemes which most entice them and motivate them
to see a film, as well as (although not as highly voted for) word of mouth. If
somebody was to give high praise for a film (especially if multiple people do,
including celebrities), more people would be enticed to watch it. This could
explain the success behind 'The Greatest Showman' and 'Black Panther'
because of all the public support it was receiving