LO4 Focus Group Reviewing

We sat a group of people together, from various age ranges and genders. Varying from young adults, to adults to make sure we got a wide range of opinions regarding the film, including some from the chosen target audience for our film. Our focus group have a wide set of tastes and interest making their feedback and opinions varied and different to those of each others. The group of people then watched the online edit of the film from start to finish and were given a questionnaire to fill in about the film. They all agreed that the film fitted with the style of drama fantasy, and showed the stylistic conventions of the genre. One of the conventions being a build up of suspense and tension which was mentioned in one of the feedback forms. Everyone agreed that the transitions and visual effects were appropriate for the film and that due to the transitions the film flowed better and the black and white effect showed that the current scene was a flashback; which was accompanied by a specific transition which I linked to the flashbacks only. Most people said the narrative wasn't especially clear, this was because we couldn't produce a film with the original narrative that we decided and had to modify it slightly, this was possibly ineffective and we could have done more to show the narrative. The voiceover could have spoken more about the current events, and we could have more scenes depicting the death of the sister, instead of walking through the forest. But it was said that the black and white flashbacks were effective at helping show the narrative. The feedback to do with age rating was consistent, there is no adult themes or violence in the film and therefore there doesn't have to be limitations when it comes to the age rating, most expected the film would be rated PG or lower. The main improvements to be made according to the feedback were that the narrative needed to be made more clear, as well as the introduction scene being shorter as it was too long and possibly that the music for the introduction and credits was too upbeat and possibly have music more neutral. This is because it gave the wrong impression about the tempo and genre of the film, implying it would be happier and more upbeat, rather than haunting and sad. Also another piece of feedback was that the daytime wasn't consistent, halfway through the forest background cuts from dark and evening time to bright and midday, this was because we couldn't get all the filming done in that specific shoot and needed to shoot at a different time. Although some comments were made about the film, I feel we created a professional developed piece of work and it was effective in its execution and purpose. However it can be improved in the above mentioned areas, the film was highly rated and praised with little criticism, and was able to connect with our target audience and shows relation to the chosen genre.