Research and Planning: Audience Feedback

After completing my planning in regards to the casting, costume, props and animatic, I conducted my first audience feedback interview. I chose Emily Spain to take part in the interview, a 17 year old female who I considered to be a prime example of Nina Nesbitt's target audience - she loves music, as does her large group of friends and has a keen interest in fashion and beauty.

I asked her several questions and asked for her opinion and feedback on the progress that I had made in terms of my pre-production planning:

Emily Spain, a key member of Nina Nesbitt's
target audience.

After having watched the animatic, what are your initial thoughts on the direction and themes that I will be exploring within the music video for "Selfies"?

Having watched the animatic, I think the concept that you have created for the song is great. "Selfies" is mainly a song that details heartbreak, and it looks like that aspect is being captured through the pinata scenes, where the actor hits the heart shaped pinata. I also think it's great how physical selfies are included in a lot of shots such as the polaroids hanging from string around the actor, and the shots where the actor is lying on top of dozens of selfie polaroids. Not only does it work very well with the title of the song, but it is also playful and creative. I also really like how shots are cut to certain beats and lines of the song - it shows that you understand the musical aspect of the song as well as the lyrical aspect. The cloning sequences also look really interesting and I think that could work well within the music video.

I have cast Lydia Demnitz - King as the actor and performer to star in the music video for "Selfies", do you think this is a suitable casting choice?

I agree that you have made the appropriate casting choice with Lydia, as her character description sounds like she will be confident in front of the camera and will not be afraid to give the performance her all. Also, her small lip-sync test shows that she knows the lyrics, although she does glance away from the camera sometimes which is a problem that should be fixed before production. I was also considered for the role but I agree with your analysis as I don't think I would be confident enough in front of the camera.

After viewing the props that I have constructed, do you think that what I have created is appropriate and professional to use in my music video for "Selfies"?

I think that the props that you have created for the music video look fantastic! I think the vast amount of polaroid photos that you have made look like real, authentic polaroids. It is a really creative decision and I think they will look great in the scenes that they will feature in. The red love - heart shaped pinata is also extremely professional - looking. The bright red colour looks great and the fringing creates a great effect. Overall, I think the props that you have created are amazing and will work really well within the concept of your music video for "Selfies".

What do you think of the costumes that I have put together and intend to use in my music video?

Out of the three clothing options that you have provided for the performance aspect of the music video (the Selfies t-shirt, the colourful shirt and the meta t-shirt), I think it would be more suitable to use a coloured t-shirt. Although I like the fact that the first costume choice says "Selfies" as it further reinforces the song title. However, I like the coloured t-shirt as I think that it would stand out against the white backdrop and also complement the bright red heart shaped pinata. The clothes that the actor would wear during the narrative sequence are suitable although slightly dull in comparison to the potentially bright and vibrant clothing in the performance scenes. Although this arguably reflects the darker tone that the narrative scenes will take on as they will depict sadder and more heartbreaking elements of the song.

Overall, the audience feedback from my audience has been very positive. Emily has approved and been pleased by all of the creative choices that I have made within my music video and I can therefore continue pre-production with confidence, knowing that a member of Nina Nesbitt's target audience is happy with the choices that I have been making. Receiving audience feedback is crucial within the developing of not jet my music video, but of my CD Digipak and Music Magazine Advertisement, too. This is because the products that I create will have to appease to Nina Nesbitt's target audience, and if I can continually show them my progress and development, I will be able to make the necessary amendments and improvements quickly and effectively before production begins.