2. Introduction
After we had produced our final products, we decided that we should
gain audience feedback to see what we had done well and not so well
to help enhance our evaluation process and so that we could recognise
what to change if we did the project or something similar again.
3. FACEBOOK FEEDBACK
As soon as our final music video was
uploaded onto YouTube, we decided to
share it on Facebook, as when we did our
audience research people were very
responsive in answering our survey.
I shared the link and asked people to
comment on it their thoughts of the video
in general and give any constructive
criticism that they may have. People were
very responsive and we had a lot of replies
that made us think and help us when
analysing and evaluating our project.
4. YOUTUBE FEEDBACK
Since we uploaded the video to YouTube, there was always the possibility that
people would want to comment on it, as it was set to ‘public’ meaning that it
could be viewed by anyone. Therefore, I ensured that the settings allowed the
video to be commented on.
We received two comments on the YouTube video itself and both of them were
very helpful.
5. INTERVIEW FEEDBACK
Through our facebook and
YouTube feedback, we had
received helpful responses to
our music video, however we
were yet to request or receive
any feedback on our two
ancillary texts. Therefore, we
conducted three individual
interviews with Media Studies
students, where we asked them
for their opinions on both of the
ancillary texts, as well as asking
for more feedback on the music
video itself, to get feedback
from people that are fairly
knowledgeable in the field.
6. MUSIC VIDEO – FACEBOOK
We received feedback on the music video
from all three of our different forms of
feedback and the general consensus was very
positive.
On our Facebook feedback, we received one
very helpful comment that went into clear
detail on their thoughts and opinions, both
positive and constructive.
Although all the comments helped in some
way, this one was particularly helpful. She
confirmed what we thought about our video
that it had a clear storyline, which helps us to
recognise that our aim and purpose was
fulfilled.
She also gave us a constructive improvement,
stating that she would have liked to see a new
note pinned up at the end of the video. As a
group, we recognised this and accepted that
people have different interpretations and
ideas and we all agreed that this could have
worked in our video and if we were doing the
project again – it would be something that we
would consider. Thus, our Facebook audience
feedback was very helpful and helped us to
analyse our work in post-production.
7. MUSIC VIDEO – FACEBOOK
Also from our Facebook feedback, we
received a variety of positive comments, and
although these affirmed our hopes that we
could create a good music video, a number
of them featured a lot of empty and not
particularly helpful content.
Therefore, we didn’t give much attention to
these comments, as although they were
great to boost our personal pride and self-
esteem, they did not benefit us in a way that
meant we could go and improve our
product drastically.
Therefore, we considered that the next time
we do audience feedback for a product, we
would probably prefer to ask our audience
to all fill in a Survey Monkey questionnaire,
so that we found out the information we
wanted to know and didn’t receive and
irrelevant responses, as when we did our
planning the use of Survey Monkey worked
very well.
8. MUSIC VIDEO – YOUTUBE
For our YouTube feedback, we received two responses and both of them were from
fellow Media Studies students that are know to our group. Therefore, their comments
had a strong occupational register and contained a lot of helpful content, as they are
aware of the type of things that would help us to evaluate the product.
One comment stated that ‘the mise-en-scene is simple but effective’. This was an
important comment for us as nobody had mentioned the use of mise-en-scene in
our Facebook feedback. To see this comment from a Media student was very positive
for us as we had spent a lot of time planning and preparing the mise-en-scene of our
product, therefore we learnt that we had done it well.
The other comment was also all positive and provided no constructive criticism and
this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it provides us with various platforms to go from
moving forward if we are to do a similar project again. For instance, she made
reference to the lighting effects added on the live performance clips and stated that
they ‘make it great to watch visually’. Therefore, we know that if the project or
something similar is done again, this would be a good thing to include as it received a
positive response when we did it here.
9. MUSIC VIDEO – INTERVIEW
From our interviews, we picked up a lot about the opinions of students towards our
products. In particular for our music video, a lot of the comments reiterated what we had
picked up through our online feedback. For instance, that it had a good storyline and this
flowed well. Throughout our feedback, we have definitely learnt that the use of a storyline
as opposed to all live performance was a good ideas as this has received a very positive
response from our audience.
Another point picked up from our video interviews was that the use of camerawork gave
the audience a feeling of being involved in the video. We didn’t consider this when planning
our video, as we were aiming to get the audience to get to know the protagonist and
understand what he was going through. Although, this is definitely another interpretation
and actually looking back on the video, I can understand why the audience could spot this
convention in the video. I have certainly learnt here that sometimes purposes can be
fulfilled that are not necessarily deliberate, but still link in with the storyline and work well
alongside the video.
We also learnt from our interview feedback that our decision to cut between storyline and
live performance was a good one, as our interviewee praised this idea, which was very
positive for us, because this was one of the hardest decisions for us to make, since we
considered using just all live performance or all storyline, so it’s good to hear that people
believe the mix worked and complimented each other.
10. DIGIPAK – POSITIVE
We only received feedback for our digipak via our interviews, but the feedback here
was very positive. We did not ask any direct questions about the digipak alone, but
rather opened it up for the interviewees to share their thoughts and elude towards
talking about the digipak.
Particular praise for the digipak came for the colour scheme, which was a huge part
of what we were trying to do as the colour scheme helped us to create an identity for
the band and it is pleasing to know that our audience recognise this. They also
recognised the contrasting style between the digipak and advert with the music video.
As mentioned in Evaluation Question 2, we chose to have a darker colour scheme to
the digipak and magazine advert, while the music video was brighter and more
inviting to open the brand up to a wider audience and they seem to recognise this
and like how this has been done, according to the comments made in the interviews,
which tells us that this was a good idea and worked well in the end.
Another comment eluded to the professionality of the digipak and said that it fit the
genre well, implying the genre conventions were followed to a high standard, which
was pleasing to hear.
11. DIGIPAK – CONSTRUCTIVE
During our interviews, we received a couple of constructive comments for our digipak
that are very well justified and fair comments in my opinion.
One of our interviewees stated that there was quite a lot going on in the digipak and
it could have been minimalised. This is a fair comment, as we were trying to
consistently use live performance to link back to the magazine advert and music
video, but we used a few brightening effects on Photoshop, which does make it look
very busy. Therefore, I have learnt from this comment that sometimes adding too
many effects is not necessary, as I believe prior to adding these effects the image still
could have worked.
Another comment spoke about the digipak text on the top middle page. She argued
that the font was slightly unreadable. We were aiming to give a look of handwritten
text here, however perhaps the audience didn’t grasp this and thought it was just a bit
messy. This is disappointing, however it does teach me that next time we should pay a
bit more attention to this convention and consider whether or not we even want to
use it at all.
12. MAGAZINE ADVERT – POSITIVE
Just like our digipak, we only received feedback for our magazine advert via interviews, but
the feedback was mostly positive. Similarly, we did not ask any direct questions about the
advert alone, but rather opened it up for the interviewees to share their thoughts and make
a decision for themselves to discuss the product.
One of the conventions that we focused on when producing our advert was the date,
featured at the base of the package. This received positive feedback, with one person saying
she liked that ‘it’s in your face and bold’. This was important for us, because we aimed to
have that impact on the audience, as hopefully this will cause it to stick in the memory,
causing us to leave a lasting impact on the audience. She also went on to complement how
well all three products link together, which was important for us as we were going for the
brand identity idea, as discussed in various points of my evaluation and the fact that they all
link helps to create this. It’s also good to hear this from an audience member, as it shows
that it doesn’t just link for us, but they recognise the link too.
The interviewers chose not to comment too much on the advert, as they tended to focus
on the music video and the digipak, which could be a sign that it didn’t have much of a
lasting impression on them, which is a bit disappointing, however it may have just been due
to the fact that they were just limited on things to say, as it is fairly simple and there is not
loads that can be said about it.
13. MAGAZINE ADVERT –
CONSTRUCTIVE
We received just the one constructive comment for our magazine
advert.
One person said that we could have brightened it up a bit, but did not
give a reason. However, it could be to make it stand out more in the
magazine, as it tends to be bright colours that draw in the audience,
but it was very difficult for us to do this since we were following a
colour scheme of mainly red and black.
The use of yellow for the date was meant to be the contrast to the
darkness which took over pretty much the rest of the advert, however
perhaps this was not enough and there should have been more
brightness. Either way, this is definitely something to consider for next
time.
14. CONCLUSION
Overall, the audience feedback that we received
was very helpful indeed. We learnt a lot from it and
it will help us if we take on the challenge of a similar
project in the future.
I certainly learnt that I am very capable of creating
a good promotional package, which fulfils all the
purposes that I was aiming for, for instance creating
the brand identity by linking the three products
together. It was clear from the interview comments
that the audience could spot this link, which is very
pleasing for me to hear.
Furthermore, I picked up a few tips and other ideas.
For example, from the Facebook feedback there
were a couple of ideas for different shots that could
have been included in the video that I would take
into consideration next time.
If I were doing the project again, I would perhaps
ask for audience feedback on my final draft of the
project, so that any ideas like the ones suggested
on the Facebook feedback could still be added,
prior to the final product being produced.
I learnt a lot about myself and my products from
my audience feedback, which is very pleasing.
What did you learn from your
audience feedback?
