Target Audience Feedback

Explain why audience feedback is important to a production?

Receiving feedback is a vital stage in post production in order to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the final outcome. By receiving feedback, we can recognise whether the products were successful in appealing to the audience which in turn, will show if the research we did prior was valid and accurate. Not only does the feedback assist whether the products were successful but will also help us as media producers in the creation of our further products. If the feedback was negative, an analysis of the entire production process would be taken out so that we could improve this. An example of this is to ask a wider sample of our target audience to provide a increased source of feedback in regards to accuracy.

How did you receive audience feedback from your target audience?
(Screening of production, focus group, questionnaires)

The target audience of a music video plays a significant role in how the video is produced, as the substance of the video must be deemed appealing by the audience in order for it to be a success. A music video that doesn't consider it's target audience will result in being unappealing, as it hasn't focused on how to keep the audience interested. Before producing our music video, it is vital that we first established the target audience we intend to appeal and then, how to make the video appealing in general. To do this, we  decided to ask 40 people to answer a questionnaire we had created, which addresses the main components that make  music video; asking them which they prefer. To establish who our target audience was, we asked a variety of people in terms of their age to collect their opinions as one in terms of age group. Once we had decided this (age 16-25) we then looked at their preferences in order to consider them when planning and making our music video. We then accumulated this information into pie charts to create quantitative data which can be analysed easier and once we had, we incorporated their feedback in the decisions we made regarding each element.

When we had completed the rough cut, we had a screening of the product........


How would this feedback benefit your production and the industry?

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.


Include 3 positive comments and reflect on them (You must include
the same comments as your group)

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 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”.

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.  It allows me to relate to the artist more. Also, I think your digipak follows conventions of the Indie genre as it follows what is expected of the genre. Therefore I was able to recognise the artist's style in order to relate to her once again.'

Include 3 constructive comments and reflect on them (You must

include the same comments as your group)

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.

We also received a second criticism from Samantha Hedge; '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”

As well as giving us positive feedback, Karen Jarvis gave us criticism to better the video; '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, I believe your magazine advert does not follow conventions. 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”

Overall explain how you have followed the aims of the brief by creating a music video

The content of the A2 media coursework required both group and individual work. Individually, we each maintained a blog that recorded our research prior to planning our music video and ancillary products in preparation to fulfil the brief in creating a music video and 2 ancillary products that promote the main product. Such research explores artist image, proposed theories and the concept of a music video. Also we conducted primary research in order to ask our target audience their preferences. Secondly, after concluding the findings of the previous research, we then began to plan our music video in order to increase chances of appeal; taking the feedback from our target audience to plan elements such as cinematography, lighting, setting and editing. According to the findings we accumulated from our research, this determined the actual content of our products as the answers we received were what the audience found appealing.

This was the preparation taken out in order to fulfil what the brief required us to do: create a music video lasting at least 3 minutes as well as two ancillary products that promoted the central product. The ancillary products we created we a magazine advert and a digipak.

The research and planning we did prior to the final creation influenced our success in following the brief to a high quality. By evaluating what our target audience find appealing, we included this in our products so that they did in fact find the products appealing and successful. We have achieved the aims of our brief by justifying each decision we have made in the construction of our products, whether it be to conform or subvert the generic conventions in order to increase appeal. For example, we chose to conform to the artist representation consisting of a laid back simple image through the symbolism of nature in both the central and ancillary products. This is often seen in the indie genre and therefore the audience would be able to recognise this in order to relate to the artist and build a relationship. However we also broke convention. By conforming to all the generic conventions, the product risks becoming too predictable and therefore uninteresting to the audience as they are too familiar with what they have seen. Therefore we chose to break convention to create a music video that seemed interesting without it not being classed as indie so that the audience weren't bored. We achieved this by opposing Goodwins theory and not creating a visual link between the narrative and lyrics at certain points in the music video to avoid it becoming predictable and monotonous.

In my opinion, we have been successful in meeting the requirement of the brief as not only have we created what was intended, but we have also considered our target audience in doing so thus increasing appeal and success.