Music Video (Rough Cut)

Why is it important to consider audience feedback?

Creating products that are intended to be deemed appealing by the target audience can only be successful if it creates such effect. Therefore the feedback we have received would assist us in making the music video more appealing and therefore more successful. If I were to be working in the music industry, the feedback from my target audience would assist me in making the next product more appealing than the last as the industry as forever changing and therefore so are the needs of the audience. For example, in terms of our main product, some of the feedback we received suggested that the argument scene should have taken place earlier in the narrative in order to develop the audience’s sympathy for the artist. Therefore when making another product, I would keep this in mind so that the product was more appealing and therefore successful. As ancillary products are vital in the promotion of the main product, it is also important that feedback is received and considered on these products too. One person suggested that the brick wall on our magazine was unconventional and therefore confusing. Therefore when creating further ancillary products I would be sure in not including a brick wall thus not to confuse the audience.

How did you receive your feedback?

After we had created a rough cut version of the music video, we shared it on facebook as the majority of our target audience have a facebook and therefore were more likely to see and comment on it. We received increased feedback once we had done this and therefore got a wider sample of opinions on the rough cut version. Below are some of the comments people had to say.

What feedback did you receive?

After putting the rough cut version of the music video on to YouTube, we received a few comments as to what people thought of it in their own opinion after sharing it on Facebook.

One individual stated that a friend of hers though Daisy reminded her of Ellie Goulding, another female indie artist. This is positive feedback as the artist representation of a female indie artist was evidently portrayed effectively, as someone has associated our artist with another in the same genre. Therefore the aspects of the artist representation were conventional to the genre clearly so that the audience understood what type of artist she was. Personally, I felt this comment was a reflection of the research and planning of the artist image and conventions of the genre. From an evaluative perspective, I can assume that such research and planning was successful as the audience were affected in the way desired.

Furthermore, we also received positive feedback from a male. Our target audience was females between the ages of 16-25 and therefore, by receiving positive feedback from a teenage male, this conveys the music video’s ability to engage a wider audience. In turn, the artist will have a wider fan base who will take interest in her, increasing her success rate. I feel that this is a positive outcome, as the video not only appeals to the planned target audience, but has the capability of appealing to those outside such bracket and therefore, the music video is effective in its purpose of appealing to the target audience and in fact, does more.

We also received some constructive criticism as how to improve the quality of our music video by increasing the contrast so that the visual appeared lighter. We felt that this comment was relevant as our footage was slightly dark. Therefore, when making final changes to the video, we increased the contrast so that it was lighter and therefore more realistic. Here are the changes made to the footage; as you can see the second frame is lighter than the first and therefore more engaging for the audience.

After receiving the feedback on our rough cut, we made the changes suggested to increase the appeal of the music video and then released our final music video. Following it’s release, we interviewed individuals that fell into our target audience to find out how they felt about the video to receive further feedback. Our first interview was with Bethany Smith aged 16. Bethany stated: “When watching an Indie music video, I expect to see the artist perform with an instrument which is typical for the genre. I think you have created a video that links to the supporting products as they are coherent in regard to the components you have combined together such as the artist Indie style image with her messy hair and red lipstick. I also think the locations you have used throughout your music video link to the song Noserings & Shoestrings because it mentions a skate park in the lyrics. Well done!”

We also interviewed Karen Jarvis aged 19 who stated: “I think your framing of shots are good because the artist is central which is important when promoting her. However, I believe that the quality of your camera is not as highly defined as you would expect to see in a professional music video. Also, although I think your digipak follows conventions of the Indie genre, I believe your magazine advert does not. This is because I don't see how the brick wall is relevant as I have seen it used in more grime/hip-hop genres.”

In addition to Karen, we questioned Penelope Miller aged 21. Penelope stated: “I really enjoyed your music video, mainly because the storyline links to the lyrics the artist is seen singing in the performance shots. I think that young people can relate to this storyline of a broken relationship and can therefore build a relationship with the artist. I also find your digipak effective because it really shows the artist in a positive light so the artist can act as a role model and potentially persuade people to express themselves with the guitar shots you included too.”

Lastly, there was Samantha Hedge aged 25 who we interviewed to receive feedback upon our final music video. Samantha stated: “Although I enjoyed your music video and was introduced to a new artist of my favourite music genre, I wanted to see more of the artist performing because it looked believable and not like the bad lip-syncing videos you often see. I think the narrative was effective because it links to the lyrics, however, I would have liked to see the argument scene at the end earlier on and seen the consequences of her boyfriend’s actions much sooner for dramatic effect to feel sympathy for the artist.”