Question 3 of Evaluation
March 2013
Question 3: What have you learned from your audience feedback?
In this section I will explore what I learned from my audience feedback. I will do this by screening my film and providing questions for my audience to answer. I will then correlate all of the information and give an overall sense of what I have discovered from it.
The overall sense that I received within the feedback suggested that the conventions of my chosen genre, poetic realism, were met. There was some confusion as to whether or not the nature shots fell under the poetic realism category, however, the audience feedback suggests that they were well received outside of the conventions. The audience seemed to like the use of bloodstains on the character as a symbol, along with the shots of the beetle and the use of paper as a way of communication. The characterisations were received well along with the overall acting. I have learned that my film does portray an adequate sense of an enigma with which the audience are satisfied. I have also discovered that the audience are understanding a wide range of ideologies from my film and while they are not necessarily the intended ideologies that I wanted to be illustrated, they are still valid interpretations.
In this section I will explore what I learned from my audience feedback. I will do this by screening my film and providing questions for my audience to answer. I will then correlate all of the information and give an overall sense of what I have discovered from it.
The overall sense that I received within the feedback suggested that the conventions of my chosen genre, poetic realism, were met. There was some confusion as to whether or not the nature shots fell under the poetic realism category, however, the audience feedback suggests that they were well received outside of the conventions. The audience seemed to like the use of bloodstains on the character as a symbol, along with the shots of the beetle and the use of paper as a way of communication. The characterisations were received well along with the overall acting. I have learned that my film does portray an adequate sense of an enigma with which the audience are satisfied. I have also discovered that the audience are understanding a wide range of ideologies from my film and while they are not necessarily the intended ideologies that I wanted to be illustrated, they are still valid interpretations.
People in the media feedback film, Mia Curruthers, Poppy Hipwell, Georgina Weston, Joseph Evans, Elizabeth Wilson, Paula Evans, Meg Dixson, Ed Evans, Rebecca Warner.
1. Daniel Miracapillo1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
Stylized: yes – simple details to evoke mood Studio bound: yes (mostly) utilising a narrative that involves the protagonist having a life of disappointment, receiving one last chance to change through love, then concluding in disillusionment or death – last chance of redemption through friendship, although death (in the form of a coma) is prevailing. I am not sure how the protagonist is portrayed as an outcast against society, supporting the minority. Some hints seem to be her clothing, her isolation, her state of confusion. 2. Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? The compare and contrast scenes with nature: are they customary in poetic realism? 3. What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image Powerfully simple, evocative, melancholic soundtrack. The red stain detail that expands throughout the movie Desperate communication through handwritten paper sheets The beetle detail, though I am not sure what the intention behind it was The scattered sheets of paper 4. Would you change anything about the composition? I failed to appreciate the juxtaposition between studio and nature scenes. 5. Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? Yes, the coma enigma at the end in unexpected and bewildering. 6. What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? Teenagers and young adults confronted with existential dilemmas 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? Expressive and melancholic characters. Sense of urgency. Sense of puzzlement. 8. What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? I would have liked to see that red stain progressively envelope the protagonist’s whole body, particularly her hands, as it could have enhanced its metaphorical role. 9. What ideologies can you read from my film? Sense of unfairness and injustice at life’s aleatory nature. 3. Jane Harrison1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
Yes 2. Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? Don’t think so 3. What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image Very good editing/filming/setting etc and music adds to the narrative as it compliments the film and aids the atmosphere created by the script/actors 4. Would you change anything about the composition? No 5. Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? Yes 6. What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? Not sure, perhaps a group starting from late teens. 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? I like the use of the images of nature to represent her trying to get her memory back 8. What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? I wanted to find out more about the other girl, the one who was writing. 9. What ideologies can you read from my film? That memory is really important. 5. Liz Smith1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
Yes Moody / gloomy feel to it – dark – slow – studio bound Characters in inner turmoil Audience left to determine what they think the character is feeling with not many clues! Charcters inward rather than outward looking Assume the character in the coma ill not survive – being embraced by death (Minnie?) at the end? 2.Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? Don’t know enough about it really to say – but is the writing of notes a device that would normally be used – not sure… I like this though 3.What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image Mood draws you in Music, like the stream shown, runs through it with no pause – simple Caught up in girls’ despair – without realizing why the first time I watched it then watched again and realized there had been an accident involving both girls and Minnie had died (have I got this right?!) Like the image of the beetle struggling to get through just as the second girl is Liked and was frustrated by the fact that we didn’t see all the notes. Liked realization of injuries as the blood spread - guilt 4.Would you change anything about the composition? no 5.Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? Definitely! Not sure even now that I have understood it properly – left with the feeling that there may be more than one possible story behind it 6.What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? I think this film will predominantly appeal to teenagers – probably more girls than boys 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? Slow realization Minne’s despair in contrast to her happy self previously Unstyled 8.What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? Maybe too much of the beetle? 9.What ideologies can you read from my film? Not really sure about this – challenges our view of life after death 7. Ian Brown1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
2. Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? (1/2) I think you can tick the list of criteria above. Do I take it that the scenes of streams, foliage, beetle(?) aren’t a deviation from studio bound? 3. What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image The contrast between the bleakness of the stage scene and the outside scenes are very marked; the music seems to capture the mood and atmosphere; I didn’t think about editing as I watched- which is , I think, a good thing! 4. Would you change anything about the composition? No, the pace was right- I felt sufficiently curious to know what was happening. 5. Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? Definitely. I couldn’t predict the explanation. 6. What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? Perhaps young adults 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? There is a simplicity about the (silent) communication between the girls and contrast in the positioning i.e. mostly seated or mostly moving around in distress, then together at the end 8. What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? Nothing 9. What ideologies can you read from my film? Can’t find a general label, but there is a sense of hopelessness and “lostness” until the end. 9. Gabriella Pollard1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
Yes- Firstly the protagonist is in a coma so their life is disappointing, in addition there is disillusionment because she realises she is in a coma. Furthermore we assume she is going to die. 2. Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? Yes- although the location is in a studio, there are outside shots as well. 3. What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image. The sound creates an atmosphere of sadness. 4. Would you change anything about the composition? The only thing I would change is that I would do close ups of the writing because during the film I was a bit confused about the relationship between the two girls. 5. Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? Yes it does because the constant graduation of blood smears build the tension until the reveal. 6. What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? A niche audience of about 15-50 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? I like the fact that the coma patient is represented as pure and innocent through her costume while Minnie is quite maternal towards her. 8. What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? There isn’t anything I didn’t like 9. What ideologies can you read from my film? Friendship is really important |
2. Jacqui Waterworth1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
Meets most of the above, all within 5 mins. and based on an overall impression. Shots of activity outside of the ‘studio’ are clearly within the mind of the dual protagonist. The ‘realization ‘ and the hug at the end are clearly shown, 2. Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? The protagonist seemed to have a happy life, although shown alone 3. What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image I thought the clear differences between inside and outside and the spare internal versus either nature or a warm home environment were very good. I liked the idea of communication between the characters and to the audience by written paper and the fact that many of the sheets were just discarded. Sound disappeared a couple of times e.g. during the piano playing and during the credits. 4. Would you change anything about the composition? I might spend less time on watching people writing on the sheets. 5. Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? A very strong sense of puzzlement and questioning so yes. The relationship between the two people as one is enigmatic. I like the fact that all the other youtube films are Minnie Mouse! 6. What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? People who like art to stimulate their thinking and who enjoy having difficult questions raised and presented. 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? The simplicity and clarity 8. What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? I’d like to have seen the beetle emerge! 9. What ideologies can you read from my film? Life is complicated journey and we need to support each other 4. John Malcolm1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
Yes, it is on the same wavelength as modernism 2. Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? No 3. What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image The imagery is excellent and the music is appropriate. I have seen something like it in Trondheim Kunstgalleri 4. Would you change anything about the composition? No 5. Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? Yes, the bloodstain is enough 6. What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? Young adults 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? The characters were relatable 8. What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? n/a 9. What ideologies can you read from my film? A better union between humans and nature. 6. Helen Horsfield1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
Without being an expert.... I think your film meets some of the conventions of the genre. It is certainly stylised – with the two characters in an unnatural setting and with unusual form of communication. The progress of the stain on the t-shirt was also stylised. It was mostly studio-bound. There is a sense that the protagonist is something of an outcast – depicted by the sparsity of the setting and form of communication. The final message, and its shock for the protagonist, is fitting. 2. Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? With such a short film it is difficult to judge some of the conventions. Some of the shots are not studio-bound, but these contrast with the empty studio shots, and reinforce the sense of isolation. The idea that this is “one last chance” is hard to convey in a five-minute film, but the actors succeed in showing a sense of desperation. 3. What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image I like the simple and uncluttered compositional approach, and the use of scenes from nature for contrast with the black studio scenes. The use of foreground and background for the two characters is very effective. The editing seems perfect for the genre, including the cut to the piano, which jars with the soundtrack. The music itself is very well chosen. 4. Would you change anything about the composition? I don't feel qualified to say – not being an expert in the genre. 5. Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? There is plenty of enigma! We wonder about the relationship between the two characters, the significance of the red stain, the reason for the paper messages... 6. What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? I think it will attract an audience that looks for something different, and one that enjoys the analysis and deconstruction of this form. 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? I like the expressiveness of the characters, and the simplicity of the event (it seems as though there is only one). 8. What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? I don't dislike anything in particular. 9. What ideologies can you read from my film? Hard to say.... Maybe liberalism, naturalism? 8. Mark Bensilum1.Do you think my film meets the conventions of the genre poetic realism? How?/ Why?
Yes both in its studio basis and its portrayal of the main character. 2. Does my film deviate from these conventions in anyway? Yes. By the use of the sections from the forest/river. 3. What do you like about the composition of my film? i.e. cinematography, editing, sound, overall image. I liked the contrast between the black/white simple colours of the studio elements and the vibrant green of the outside elements. I also thought the music went particularly well with the piece. 4. Would you change anything about the composition? Not sure. 5. Do you think my film presents an adequate enigma? Yes. Left me wanting to know more about the main character and what had brought her to the position she was in. 6. What audience(s) do you think my film will attract? Art house lovers. Those looking for a social message or fatalistic outlook. 7. What do you like about the representation of characters, events, etc? Positioning of two characters – with protagonist in front. Also choice of colours worn, i.e second character blended in to background well when not needed. 8. What do you dislike about the representation of characters, events, etc? Would perhaps have liked more dialogue between the two characters to gain more information. But I’m not sure if you had a time limit or instruction as to what could be said. 9. What ideologies can you read from my film? A sense of ‘nature taking its course’ and the main character not having control over what was happening to her. A reminder that we are all part of a life cycle. |