The filmmakers received feedback from a focus group screening that was both positive and constructive. Positively, the narrative, historical context, music, set, and costumes were well received. Constructive feedback noted that the spinning scene made some viewers feel sick, so it was re-shot shorter. Others wanted to see the main character, Nicole, at the end to understand her fate, so the ending was re-shot to show her injured but alive. Based on the feedback, several scenes including the ending were re-shot to add more suspense and interest for the audience.
2. During or focus group screening we received feedback which was both
positive and constructive. Some positive comments were ‘Narrative is
good as is the link to historical context-more interesting’, showing that
we had achieved our goal of telling a story, conveying the characters back
story as well as intriguing our audience about what was to come. As well
as ‘The music was well fitted to the trailer’, I think that this showed that
my editing of what was a happy folk style song worked effectively in
harmony to the cinematography and the plot line. We also received
positive comments such as ‘Good set and costume’, we agreed with this
point as we had spent time designing how the costumes were going to
look, particularly for the Psycho killer, as her costume had to fit in with
the Victorian era as well as blend with the woodland surroundings.
3. Some of our constructive comments were ‘Didn’t like the spinning,
made me feel sick’ we agreed with this statement, because though we
liked the panning section in its creation of disorientation, we felt
that it was too long and did make us feel a bit sick afterwards. We re-
shot this searching sequence so that the audience wouldn’t be put off
from seeing the film incase they felt sick or dizzy. Another
constructive comment we received was ‘See Nicole at the end so we
kind of know what’s happened’ we also agreed with this comment,
though we had originally felt that her disappearance would create
interest, as it was an enigma. We re-evaluated this ending to allow the
audience to have a stronger connection to this character, thinking
that it would be too obvious that she was dead or kidnapped if she
wasn’t seen at the end of the trailer.
4. After the focus group screening we made several changes to the
trailer, completely re-shooting the ending as well as several other
sections of the trailer. We felt that we needed to do this as we
didn’t think that the trailer held as much suspense and interest
as we would have liked. By changing the ending so that an
injured and disorientated Nicole is seen walking about the forest,
we felt that the trailer would hold more interest as the viewer
would be left wondering if the searching teens would find her or
if she would be left to die in the forest.
5. I am happy with how our finished trailer looks as I think it
successfully appeals to our target audience of horror fans. Being
filled with suspense and action. I also think that this trailer
would appeal to a wider audience with an element body horror it
will appeal to a larger audience however it is still a low age
certificate, allowing a larger age range of people to go see it.
6. I think that my favorite part of the trailer is when the male hero
falls down the hill. This is because of the cinematography used
in the expressionist angles as well as the fast montage that we
used to create action. I think that the ending of this sequence
creates particular interest, as it is the first acknowledgement in
the trailer that the hanged woman is around and causing
trouble. The shot of the woman looking up at the camera is
similar to those seen in The Woman In Black. I think that this is
effective as both characters have the omen of death around them
