The document discusses how the author conducted audience research to improve their horror movie trailer and magazine design. Through surveys, focus groups, and feedback discussions, they learned that their target audience preferred simple, catchy titles like "Scream" and "Conviction." They also found that their magazine cover needed a lighter blue title color, more information in straplines, and a darker image tone. This feedback helped the author refine their work to better appeal to and meet the expectations of their target audience.

1. WHAT HAVE YOU
LEARNED FROM YOUR
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK?
BY ARJUN DOSANJH

2. From completing audience feedback such as surveys,
group feedback and focus groups we received a range
of feedback on how to improve our work, from what was
significant to what did not work as well.

3. My first survey I conducted was what our audience look for in a horror
movie. This was to determine what conventions were most popular
and what techniques we should incorporate in our trailer.
We found out what horror films our target audience enjoyed the most
and then went on to conduct further research into these selected
films.

4. Our storyline went through a number of
changes. After conducting research into
a wide range of horror movie trailers, we
were particularly impressed by the trailer
When a Stranger Calls. We created our
storyline based around this film. At first
we thought it was too basic, simple and
did not contain the vital scare factor. We
decided to alter our storyline using
further influence from ‘The Blair Witch
Project’ and held a group discussion
with our peers.

5. From the group discussion, we realised the improved
storyline was now overly complicated and scenes were
lingering and did not tell the audience who was who in the
trailer and how we got from the beginning, middle and end.
Therefore, we simplified the script and ensured the
audience knew who each character was by adding in a
new scene which introduced each individual clearly.
This was the new
frame we added, it
introduced the
characters and help
the story in the trailer
to flow when more
coherence.

6. I believe through using the group discussion we were
able to gain valuable feedback into our product.
This allowed us to develop and alter the script
accordingly, making sure it not only met the horror
conventions but also was clear to the audience.

7. Questionnaires are another great form of gaining vital audience
feedback and opinion. We created a questionnaire on what horror
film titles stood out and were most appealing.
We found that our audience preferred the movie title ‘Scream’. This
told us that we needed to use something simple, catchy and to the
point yet sticking to our storyline.

8. After conducting a survey on a
range of movie titles we had
selected, we found that the
most popular title name was
‘Conviction.’ This was
similar to Scream as it was
one powerful word and tells
the audience a bit about the
story.

9. However, due to our script being
altered a second time, we had
to remove scenes which took
away from the true meaning
of our chosen title –
Conviction. As a group we
composed the name ‘The
16th.’ This title was still short,
catchy and to the point and
linked in well with our new,
edited storyline. Using our
previous research we were
confident that this title would
appeal to our audience.

10. Following this, I started to focus on our magazine.
I conducted a tally on what magazine titles my
target audience of over 15’s may prefer. My
results found that the name ‘Premiere’ was the
most popular.

11. After designing my first draft of my magazine front
cover, I felt I needed some feedback from my
peers. From the group discussion, I was told
that the navy blue I had originally used for my
title did not appeal or stand out to my audience.
My audience emphasized that a lighter shade of
blue would work better as it catches attention.

12. I was also told that I did not have enough
information within my straplines making the
magazine look ‘empty’ and ‘bare.’ In relation to my
image, I was told it needed a darker tonality.
First
design
Improve
d design

13. Although this feedback was slightly negative, the
information helped me to gain an insight into
what my target audience look for in
magazines. I then went back to the editing
stage and edited certain features.