1. What have you learned from
your audience feedback?
Evaluation 3
2. Pre-Production
As a group we created an idea of what genre of
film we wanted to produce. It was important to
us that we considered a potential target
audience and found out what that particular
audience would think about our story line. We
conducted a questionnaire in order to gather
information about the genre they like this most
and the types of films they prefer to watch. We
did this by creating a video questionnaire within
the college and the nearby town centre. Of
course, we gained permission from all the
participants.
4. Pre-Production
As well as conducting a video questionnaire, we created
an online questionnaire that we distributed on social
media. These questionnaires helped us adapt our idea
and gave us answers as to what potential target
audience we were looking to aim the film at, and what
they would like to see.
5. Pre-Production
Our responses showed the majority of the audience would be
interested in seeing our idea on screen, thinking it was a sub-genre
of thriller. Research showed the audience believed the film to be
rather either ‘12’ or ‘15’. This audience research was extremely
important during pre-production, as it led us to make a decision of
targeting our film at a young adult audience of both sexes. The
completed research enabled us to begin to place and produce our
film.
6. Filming
During the production of our film we had to ensure the
plot line was consistent at all times and the audience
would remain engaged throughout. A response in the
questionnaire led us to adapt the shot list in order to
make the characters and intentions clear throughout. As
our plot contains mature themes, we decided to keep the
lighting low as a form of pathetic fallacy.
7. Filming
Although we kept the dialogue in our film to a minimum,
we used dialogue in the beginning scenes to establish
the characters. An example of this is in the kitchen, when
Zoe asks “You’re not going gambling are you?” – this
gives the audience an indication that the character Ryan
may have had gambling problems in the past, and Zoe is
wary of him participating in this game again.
8. Filming
As a group, we felt the some viewers may be confused during the
flashback scene, and that it would affect continuity. To avoid this, we
extended the scene and edited it with a black and white effect in
order to give a clear indication to the audience that this scene is in
fact a flashback. We also added a variety of shots within the scene,
including an extreme close up in order to show the piece of text Zoe
was reading. This informs the audience of the events that led up to
the high-stakes gambling scene.
9. Post-Production
Before we posted the final film onto YouTube, we posted
a rough cut alongside an audience questionnaire to gain
information about the thoughts of the audience, what
they liked, and what they think we could improve. The
main response indicated audiences felt the ending of the
film was too sudden, and felt another scene could be
added in order to establish an ending and tie up the story
line.
11. Changes
We acted upon this feedback by filming another scene to establish
an ending, and added music to the final scenes which create the
right tone and atmosphere for the particular scenes. The music we
added creates tension, as the audience of Ryan’s betrayal and lies
towards Zoe, but they’re yet to learn of the plot twist we
incorporated. I believe the final scenes in our final film are brilliantly
executed with the inclusion of music in comparison to our rough cut,
which I believe didn’t portray the plot as well as we intended without
music.
12. Changes
Our new end shot was very easy to film and edit into our
product. The shot consists of a still of the mask and
money on the floor, indicating to the audience Zoe was
in fact the winning gambler, as she knew about Ryan’s
lies throughout the film. We used the still to satisfy the
audience with an appropriate ending, and as a
background for our credits. I believe the scene ends the
film brilliantly as it answers any unanswered questions
the audience may have.
13. Changes
Acting upon audience feedback, we also changed the
title sequence. Prior to our questionnaire, the title
sequence was at the very beginning of the film.
However, we acted upon feedback and rearranged
scenes to establish the plot of the film before the title
sequence was shown. This created more suspense as
audiences were unaware of the title of the film, and left
them guessing as the film began.
14. Conclusion
I feel as though audience feedback and our actions in
acting upon the information provided to us greatly
benefited our film as I now feel the film is easier for the
audience to understand and engage with. I also feel by
rearranging certain scenes and adding a variety of shots
to the film, we created more tension and suspense for
the audience.
