Focus Group

I asked a group of non-media studies acquaintances what they thought of my media package, all responses are in response to the posts labelled as 'Digipak Final Edit', 'Poster/Advert Final Edit' and 'Music Video Final Edit'.
I asked them 4 questions:

I asked these questions because I thought they would give a good representation of peoples views on all three elements of my media package.


These are my Responses:

I was very happy with this response because it showed that this person was able to understand the video well and thought that the digipak had a clear and recognizable theme across it. I was also very pleased with the fact that the poster/advert was received positively. The fact that the person thought that the products linked well was good as I was worried that the connections many not have been clear enough.

I liked that this feedback showed that the video is clear and easy to work out, I was also pleased that this person recognized the signs of the bad character clearly. I was also very pleased that this person also thought that the digipak had a clear running theme and was happy that they liked the poster and thought it was interesting that they mentioned controversy as I had similar thoughts while designing it. The links are further backed up as being clear which is good.

I was pleased with this response to my video and liked the fact that the person found it mysterious. I liked that they thought the poster was quite punk-like as this fits well with the controversy the Flatbush ZOMBiES are often in because of their lyrics. I thought it was interesting that they pointed out that the video links the least well as I thought this too.




Overall I thought that this feedback was very positive and I was pleased with the fact that people understood the narrative of the video. I was also pleased with the positive responses to the digipak and was especially pleased with the responses to my advert as I was unsure of how people would respond to it. The fact that people thought the products linked was also good as I was unsure if the links were clear enough.

Hot-desking Feedback

(The questions and feedback in this post link to the 3rd edit of the music video, the digipack draft and the advert draft)


Do you think the contrast between darkness and colour is strong enough in the digipak?

• I think so! The neon colours used on the digipak really help it stand out, for example the neon pink crosses.
• The colours really contrast which I think works well and it sets a good mood and theme for the whole package
• I think it’s really strong and it’s really visually appealing. It works well with the mood and genre.
• Yeah, it works really well I like the transition between the back and front.
• Yeah the pictures are quite varied. Isn’t an upside down cross a symbol of the antichrist or something? Works well with the zombie theme anyway.

 This feedback shows me that people really like the contrast and use of colour in the digipak and that it doesn't need to be edited.

 

Do you think that the fonts are appropriate?

• I think the fonts work well! Especially the ones on the digipak, they could however be a little clearer, as the track names are fairly difficult to read.
• I think the font used for the track listing is difficult to read and I’m not sure if it fits the feel and genre as well as it could
• I don’t think the font for the track list doesn’t fit in with the genre very well and it’s quite hard to read. The fonts in the booklet work really well with the design. The font on the poster that isn’t the title of the album again doesn’t seem to fit in with the genre. Maybe change it to a sans serif font or something less round.
• I like most of the fonts I think they suit the genre, but maybe try a different one for the information on the poster
• They look good, especially the one for the title. The one on the back of the digipack is quite hard to read though but it is possible.

 This feedback shows me that I may need to look at some of the font choices, lots of people mentioned the tracklist so I might try to make it easier to read (less twisted) but I think I may keep the same font type as I think that it fits the psychedelic style well.

Do you think that anything could be added to the poster to make it more interesting?

• I really like the idea for the poster, however its colour scheme could be changed to fit in more with the digipak! For example, by using the same neon pink as the cross this would make the poster stand out more, and link it to the magazine. Also by having the background be black! This would make it stick out even more!
• I think it could be improved by having the background a darker colour and possibly incorporate blue so that it links with the digipak
• I think the design for the poster overall is really good. I think you should include a review  and information on a website for the artist.
• You could add a review maybe that would be lit. Oh yeah and a website J
• Maybe some blood in the corner or something

 This shows me that maybe I should add some more information to the poster, I also agree that I need to make it link more to the digipak.

 

Is it clear that when the second rapper starts rapping our character has turned bad?

• I think that it is clear, because of the change of outfit and the way the music stops to show the rapper, however maybe the colour could be slightly changed on the video at that point to be darker, to show that he has turned bad.
• Its clear because of the way the footage is edited to the music and the change in clothing
• It’s clear as there are more effects and his clothing changes. Also the fact he takes drugs show’s he’s turned bad.
• It’s clear cause the music has a break and you’re face changes and clothes, but you could try a darker filter to show he’s evil.
• Yeah from the change in clothes. Some of the lip sync is slightly out though.

 I think that this feedback is very positive and shows that its clear that he turns bad, however I do like the idea of a darker tint so I may include that. I also may need to check the sync as well and see if any elements don't line up as one person mentioned this.

Overall I think that this feedback was very positive however its made me consider changing the poster and possibly the font on the digipak tracklist as well as maybe considering some other smaller elements throughout my media package.

 

 

 

Edit 3 Feedback

- I think that it is good that you got rid of some of the elements that were included in the 2nd edit and think that it is a lot better. You just need to finish filming it and maybe change some of the effects.


- I like that you got rid of some of the effects from before, maybe make the lighting the cigarette one shorter though.


- Much better than the last one :) Just need to finish it.


This feedback showed me that people were pleased with the changes I have made since the second edit, but that I maybe still need to look at some of the effects and finish filming.

Music Video Edit 2: Audience Feedback

Do you think that it fit the genre of music?
-Yes, the drug element was fitting with the music
-I don't know much about the music, but I thought that the clothing of the second character was fitting.
-The drug stuff worked well with the genre


These responses show me that people thought that the music video fit well with the genre, I am pleased with these responses.




What did you think of the effects? (They are currently experiments)
-I liked the one where the cars appeared in a smaller box and where he lit the weed and a different coloured version appeared.
-Some where cool but the crazy coloured one at the end was a bit too much.
-I liked them all, even the crazy coloured thing but it'd be cool if it was more subtle. And I think that the lighting 'cigarette' one was a little too long and maybe a tiny bit too brightly coloured.


These responses show that people have mixed reactions to the effects so I think that I may keep some of them but have more subtle effects that are less distracting, and I think ill remove the colourful one at the end.




Could you understand what was happening?
-I think they were the same person and the drugs made him bad? but the end was confusing.
-err the ending was confusing but will probably be clearer when it is finished.
-It was slightly confusing but I think in a way that kind of helped it link to the druggy feel.




People were confused but mainly because of where it finished, so I think that when the rest of the footage is in place the video will be a lot clearer and will make a lot more sense.


Other Comments
-I didn't like the phone call bit, it didn't work and made it more confusing and like maybe there is two people.
-Yeah, the phone call bit and the effects need to be more common but also more subtle.
-Just finish it haha


This shows me that the phone call caused more confusion, I was planning on removing it anyway as I didn't think it fit the video and because it isn't needed, these comments just backed up my views on this element.

My Team SUPREME (Incomplete) (1st Draft) + Feedback

This is the first draft of my music video
The outro needs to be filmed so is blank and the other blank Sections of the video are areas that I need to re-shoot for reasons such as overexposure, imperfections or a lack of variety in my footage.

The comments section will also be open to peer feedback, the questions viewers are asked to respond to are
1. Do you think that the font used on the title cards is appropriate?
2. Do you think that there is enough variety in shot types?
3. Do you think that the video fits into the artists image?
4. Can you tell that when Meech's verse is being performed the character is supposed to be a darker version of himself than when Erick's verse is being performed? 
5. Do you have any other suggestions or feedback?


A user called TEASTERFORD 22 commented:
1. I think the font is great and fits well with the group's music
2. I think there are good shots but there needs to be more diversity
3. I think it fits very well, especially the 666 at the start and the costume of Meech
4. Yeah this is clear by the aggression and clothing
5. It's good, just put in more variety and show the drug side a bit more to help show the story


Nobody else commented so I asked some more people


One
1. Yeah, I think it has a cool style and fits with the group
2. Needs to be more
3. Yeah, especially the drugs
4. Yeah, I thought so
5. You could make it more interesting with more shots or effects or something.


Two
1. Yeah, its cool
2. needs more really
3. yeah, especially with the location for the second guy
4. yeah, because of the drugs and the same actor
5. more variety


Three
1. Yeah, especially the use of the red, it fits the almost evil image people associate the group with.
2. I would put some more in there, play with angles more like the canted shot of Meech crouching.
3. Yeah, especially because of the 666 and the outfits, maybe add some effects though.
4. Yeah, the aggression and the clothing/location show this.
5. Just add some variety and complete the missing pieces, plus maybe some effects or something.


The responses to question 1 shows that people really liked the font used for the title cards.


The responses to the second question are positive for the shots that are already included but tell me that I should include some more diverse shots too, I like this idea and will probably use some more diverse ones for the second rapper's (Meech's) verse to represent the feelings created by the drugs that he took.


Question 3's responses are very positive and make me glad that people think it fits well into the artist's image, I'm also glad people like the use off 666. The idea to use effects is good, I was even considering it before due to the psychedelic/drug-themed nature of the music, especially within Meech's verse.


The responses to the 4th question are positive and show that this element of the music video is going well.


The extra comments just further solidify the idea that I should use some more diverse shots and also show that lots of people think I should use effects which is further pushing me towards exploring this idea.