WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR AUDIENCE FEEDBACK?

BY ARJUN DOSANJH

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Improved design

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.