Evaluation: Question 3

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

The Premise of the Question

• The question is asking me to have people watch my short film, and give feedback on it, at which point I can learn more about what went well and what could be improved.

• I asked three people to watch three different sections of my short film, and to give feedback on camera shots, editing, mise-en-scene and sound.

Section 1: 0:00 -1:40• The music was effective. It adds some suspense to the scene, but doesn’t frighten

the audience before the “thriller” elements kick in.• The intended emotion was reached. The audience feels sympathy for the main

character and for others who might feel the same, more than they would if they didn’t watch the short film.

• The shots fit together well, including the cuts between the piano and the lights. The editing between the teacher and the main character are a little jarring. If they could be re-done, that should be the area of focus.

• The shots of everything worked better, instead of generic static shots. The shots I used are focussed on metaphors and concepts of creativity, like books and art. If there were just regular establishing shots, it would be less engaging.

What I Have Learned

• It is clear that my opening was strong. The person enjoyed the way the story started to be told, yet didn’t feel like an overwhelming amount of information to take in.

• The sound was done well. The soft piano matches with the sombre mood.

• Editing was a little choppy at times, which could have been improved.

Section 2: 1:40 – 3:20• The voices were effective in the way that they overlapped and echoed. Built the suspense

in a way that music alone couldn’t, because you felt like you were inside the mind of the protagonist.

• The final “jumpscare” was done well, with the flashing effects, which emphasises the severity of the situation, and also frightens the audience effectively.

• The fades and greyscale used well when the camera revolves around the protagonist, because it makes you feel like you’ve entered some zone within the mind of the main character.

• The mirror shot was really well done. It shows that you can try and “calm yourself down” but you can’t, because everything is getting on top of you.

• Sympathetic emotion was present. It showed that you can be scared of yourself, rather than being scared by something that isn’t in your own mind.

What I Have Learned

• It was a good introduction main antagonist, due to the voices and the way the editing worked to keep her hidden until the end of the rising tension.

• The camera work was really well done, because it showed how the main character was feeling without the use of voice.

• The music really built up tension, and the loud booms could really frighten the audience, which was the intended aim.

Section 3: 3:12 - End• The film conveys a message of good things, to not worry and get on with whatever you enjoy.• The transition from depressive mode to a happier theme is obvious and clear. You could have

shown more shots of the main character overcoming the problem, rather than skipping to closer to the end.

• Jump from these didn’t intrude, worked effectively.• The piano lid closing is effective, because it shows pride, whereas when the section starts, the

main character sounds more shameful of his work.• Show how you built back up from the fall.• The rain can symbolise that there can still be issues, but you can always be in control of your

mind. You can get through negativity.• The light switch being flicked fits really well with the end of the music and the end of the film,

and the title being displayed again.

What I Have Learned

• The advice given makes the ending seem more rushed than anything else. This is disappointing, because I wanted to give the impression that it is up to you to overcome your negative thoughts however you can and however you want to.

• The ending fades work really well, which was my aim, and the end of the music and the film was appreciated.

Overall

• The editing was the main thing that was criticised by the viewers, as some of the shots were choppy and broke the flow of the film.

• If I could go back and correct mistakes, I would also make the continuity between the shots of the teacher and the main character more match-on, as there were a few issues with them.

• Other than that, I think that the short film went very well and people will like it if they decide to watch it.