Evaluation Question 4

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

When it comes to producing any form of media product, it is important to utilise any feedback that you receive based on the production of the products in order to be able to improve what you have already constructed. Before we even began the process of creating our main task we constructed a practice video so we could develop and attempt various techniques that we could later use within our final piece. Before this however we needed to receive feedback to ensure that what we were doing was effective, and that our footage could be easily understood. In order to receive this feedback we presented our clip to the class (after editing) and then distributed a Questionnaire to them so they could provide us with feedback upon the key issues of constructing a media trailer, such as were the shots affective. Once we had received the feedback we were then able to identify our strengths and weaknesses, such as our successful camera shots, which enabled us to plan ahead, and decide that we would use a variety of shots to capture varying emotions throughout the trailer, rather than excessive acting, something we received some criticism on. We also received negativity in regards to the clips soundtrack, so it was important we took time to research a far more effective soundtrack for our trailer.

Once we had gained that initial feedback of how our skills were developing in regards to constructing the media, we had to decide upon an idea for actual trailer, and we then constructed a powerpoint presentation so that we could once again seek the criticisms and advice of our peers, this time to distinguish whether or not we had realistic goals in regards to the construction of the trailer, and what we could do to ensure it would be a success. We also requested that our media teacher, Mr Morris, give a short interview where he could deliver his feedback upon our initial idea, giving us influence on how we could film the necessary clips, as well as what techniques we could use to capture this footage, and what elements of filming we would possibly struggle with, and how to cope with these difficulties.

Once we had gained this feedback we used it in conjunction with our planning to create a storyboard for the trailer, which we then used to map out what we were filming. Before we completed any great deal of filming however, we decided to present a few of our filmed clips to our class and teacher, so we could again receive feedback on the basis of how well we were producing the clips, what techniques we were using well and what we could improve. Once we had presented these clips we asked a couple of our peers to provide us with a short comment, highlight the pros and cons of how we were filming the piece. This was some of the most important feedback we received, as it reinforced what we could do best, and from this we could utilise these skill within the rest of the filming to capture the best possible shots, but at the same time identified areas of the filming which we needed to improve upon in order to benefit the overall quality of our footage.

Now that we had sufficient feedback and criticisms we could proceed with constructing our completed trailer whilst taking note of what advice we had received from our peers and teacher. This aided us to create a full length film trailer which retained a good deal of basic media conventions such as a varying camera angles and even the saturation of colour ect. Despite this, we still felt that the trailer could undergo some improvements, so again we asked for the ever reliable opinions of our class, in order to again be granted another potential insight on how we could achieve these improvements. When we presented the trailer we were immediately hit with criticism based upon the chronological order of our trailer, as it appear to be in an accurate and exact order, which was not a standard convention of media trailers, and also gave too much of the plot away, almost the whole film. This led to a “shake up” of our trailers clips (including the introduction of some new footage), so that they still made sense, yet did not give such a substantial incline of the story away. It was this feedback that also led to the creation of our montage at the end of the trailer, as it effectively enabled us to “mix up” the plot within the trailer, so it again prevented to much of a give away, but it was also later perceived by our peers to be visually attracting and aids to the culmination of a climax at the end of the trailer. This was again well received by our peers and as it had achieved what we desired, it was classed as a success and became a fully integral part of our trailer. From this task I have learnt that audience feedback is essential in creating any media text, as it provides a far clearer insight on what works within your product, as well as what you can improve on.

Once the trailer was complete we then moved on to the ancillary tasks, where we were issued with the task of creating a film poster and film magazine front cover, of which our film is the feature article. Feedback I gained from my teacher was highly important in the conversion of my first draft to second draft, as he pointed out what conventions I was essentially missing, as well as vital information regarding the layout of the pieces. It was this feedback that enabled me to construct convention rich media products, which conformed to that of any standard media products, as well as attracting my target audience.