What Have You Learnt From Your Audience Feedback?

Once we produced the first 'completed' version of our trailer, we presented it to the rest of our class. This was appropriate, as they fall in our target audience age group of 17-24. We asked for feedback on what worked and didn't work as a trailer and what worked and didn't work under the genre of horror. The feedback received enabled us to make appropriate corrections for later drafts, and our finished product. This was essential so we could base our trailer around something that would attract this age group. With our auidence research, we found out that the audience favours jumpy bits in horror trailers and films and were interested in the idea of the film having some 'underwater' setting. We also found out that the target audience enjoyed psychological horror’s and horrors which contain some 'fear of the unknown'.

From our screening, we learned that the audience enjoyed several sections, although other sections needed editing, or removing altogether.

One of these 'problem areas', was our original inter-titles. We had attempted to have a watery background, but upon reflection and feedback, this didn't work. The colour was confusing, and several people didn't understand that the animation was in fact, water. In an unanimous decision from the class, we removed the water, leaving only a black background. Upon reflection, this was far more effective, as it was creepier, and less distracting.

Another 'problem area' was the second half of the trailer, and how it linked in with the first half.  The majority of our test audience were confused about who the protagonist of the movie was, and what the overall story was about. To correct this, we filmed new footage, including close ups of the protagonist, as this is a common feature of horror movies and trailers as it promoted identification with the protagonist. We also filmed new shots of 'the music box' to identify it as a possible antagonist.

Another point we changed was the voice-over. Originally over an almost, random shot, the audience felt it was out of place. When played, it 'clashed' with the action on screen, and the voice-over dialogue seemed to have no relevence with what was being seen. So we re-recorded the voice-over,  and placed it over a more intense sequence, which greatly increased the suspense, as well as intrigue in the movie.

One point the audience enjoyed was our choice of music as it linked with the genre well, and created tension, suspense and atmosphere to a highly enjoyable standard.

The feedback received was invaluable, as it greatly bettered our trailer, and promoted it closer to professional trailers.