Untitled
mhogg
Question 3 - What have you learned from your audience feedback?
Draft Evaluation
Evaluating Music Video Feedback
The feedback that I gained for my music video was done through handing out a questionnaire. On this questionnaire, there were a total 10 questions, 4 of which were closed questions and the rest were open questions. By doing the questionnaire like this, I was able to get a mixture of answers and find out peoples' honest opinions of my music video.
Editing
The first two questions were about the editing of the music video and from the answers to these questions, I found out that the target audience feel that the music video cuts to the beat most of the time (cutting to the beat is one of the music video conventions mentioned by Steve Archer in his article 'How to Study Music Videos') and also that the use of transitions in the music video is effective but is sometimes too quick (a fast cutting montage of shots is one of the conventions mentioned in 'Codes and Conventions of Music Videos' by Peter Fraser'. By reviewing these answers, I feel that I agree with the audience feedback. A part of the video that does cut to the beat comes just after the line "I'm not whole still, but whatever". There is a slight pause and then on the sound of a drum, the next shot appears. The series of shots in question are shown in GIF form here.
Editing
The first two questions were about the editing of the music video and from the answers to these questions, I found out that the target audience feel that the music video cuts to the beat most of the time (cutting to the beat is one of the music video conventions mentioned by Steve Archer in his article 'How to Study Music Videos') and also that the use of transitions in the music video is effective but is sometimes too quick (a fast cutting montage of shots is one of the conventions mentioned in 'Codes and Conventions of Music Videos' by Peter Fraser'. By reviewing these answers, I feel that I agree with the audience feedback. A part of the video that does cut to the beat comes just after the line "I'm not whole still, but whatever". There is a slight pause and then on the sound of a drum, the next shot appears. The series of shots in question are shown in GIF form here.
Along with the first question, I agree with the answers that were given for the second question. A part of the video where a transition happens too quickly is during the opening sequence where the actor is getting a suitcase out of the boot of the car. This shot is also shown in GIF form here As the shot dissolves from the screen very quickly, it means that it is not being properly taken in by the audience. This limits the effectivenes of the shot. If I were to re-edit this series of shots again, I would make the dissolve transition shorter so that the audience can have the full benefit of seeing the transition properly.
Evaluating Music Video Feedback
Narrative
The next two questions on the questionnaire were about the narrative of the video. The first question asked if the narrative of the video fit with the song. This was a closed question and for this question, 4 people said somewhat and 1 person replied yes. From this feedback, I think it is clear that my narrative could have been better so that it completely went along with the song and the video. If I were going to produce the video again, I would carefully examine the narrative of the video more closely. To improve the narrative I would have it follow the song more closely so that the video would make sense and was enjoyable for the audience to watch. Improving the narrative would also increase the video's repeatability factor.
The second question was an open question and asked if there were any additional comments about the music video. The general response here was that the narrative can be confusing as some points as the actor looks happy in some shots and sad in others. I partly agree with this feedback, however, I do believe that the narrative does make sense as the video is all about someone getting over a break up and the actor becoming over the course of the video shows this. Although I slightly disagree with this feedback, I would take it on board if I were to produce the video again and make the narrative a bit more understandable.
An example of how the narrative fits with the video. This sequence of shots goes along with the lyric "I'm going out to get over you."
Evaluating Music Video Feedback
Costume
The next two questions on the questionnaire were about the costumes that were used in the music video. The first question asked if the actor's costume fitted with the theme of the music video. For this question, 3 people answered no and 2 people answered somewhat. I believe that these responses show that the costume was one of the main factors that slightly lets down the music video. If I were going to produce the music video again, I would definitely take the advice of the target audience on board and make the costumes fit with the narrative more. This would make the music video have the repeatability factor, an idea which was put forward by Steve Archer.
The next costume question asks if there are any additional comments about the costume used in the music video. The general additional comments here were that the audience liked how there was another costume featured in the video but believe that the other costume needed to feature more prominently than in just one shot. I agree with this feedback and if I were able to produce the video again, I would create more shots where the other costume is used. This would again improve the repeatability factor of the music video.
An example of the actor's costume that he is wearing throughout the majority of the video.
The second costume of the actor that he was wearing in the video.
Evaluating Music Video Feedback
Lighting
The next two questions on the questionnaire were about the lighting used in the music video. The first question asked whether the lighting was used effectively in the music video. To this question, 2 people replied yes, 2 replied no and 1 replied somewhat. I agree with this feedback as it is present in some shots that the lighting adds to the mood of the music video whereas in some shots, there is not enough lighting. If I were to do the music video again, I would light the shots according to what the mood of the video was supposed to be.
The next question on the lighting asked whether there were any additional comments on the lighting used in the music video. To this question, the general response that sometimes the lighting is too dark so that the actor is sometimes not seen in shots. I agree with this feedback. If I were to produce the video again, I would light the shots in the video according to the mood of the video at the time.
An example of a shot where the lighting could be a bit brighter.
An example of a shot where the lighting is just right and fits the actor's mood.
Evaluating Music Video Feedback
Camera
The next two questions on the questionnaire were about the way the camera was used in the music video. The first question asked what the target audience thought about the camera shots used in the music video. The general response here was that there was a variety of shots used in the music video. I am happy with this feedback as it increases the repeatability factor of the music video. If I were to produce the video again, I would do this again.
The next question on the camera shots asked the target audience how many shots they could identify in the music video. The general response here is that the audience could identify mid-shots and long shots the most. This, along with a few other shots used in the music video, shows that I have used a variety of shots in the music video. If I were going to produce the music video again, I would do this the same as a variety of shots shows that the video has a certain degree of repeatability factor.
An example of a long shot used in the video.
An example of a close up used in the video.
