Focus Group 1
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Focus Group One - Results by Question
- Question 1 (0:13): Have either of you ever heard of vimeo?
Both Luke and Lewis answered that they had actually accessed vimeo before, which is surprising considering the relatively narrow audience scope the site attracts.
- Question 2 (0:30): Have you ever seen a short film on social media?
Neither had said that they'd seen a short film on social media. This isn't surprising, because, from personal experience, I know that the type of content people are looking for on Facebook, Snapchat etc. is often very short-form (sometimes even just seconds long).
- Question 3 (1:00): Do you think it's important to show social issues in films?
Both argued that there should be a balance between ideology/entertainment. Lewis also made the distinction that some films should seek to entertain, while others do have a right to employ a message. I think this shows us that, as long as a film establishes to its audience what to expect, social commentary is permitted to a certain degree.
- Question 4 (1:44): Is there an issue you think is under-represented?
Both participants seemed to agree with my question, arguing that male suicide is an under-represented issue in mainstream media. I think this means that the topic we're going for, in a general sense, is somewhat unique as a social issue.
- Question 5 (1:56): Is there a proper way to present suicide and depression?
Lewis answered that he thought a short film may work better as a means to present the subject matter (as a feature length may get 'boring') and also that the presentation needs to be 'gritty' and 'shocking', which I interpreted as realistic.
Both agreed that 'being honest' is the best way to present it. Frankly, I think it's the only way.
- Question 6 (2:34) Is it the duty of a filmmaker to present social issues?
Neither of the participants said that it was specifically a filmmakers duty to capture and present social issues, but that, if they were to, it wouldn't be to the determent of anyone (providing they did it well). I think this shows a willingness to accept a given social issue in film, providing it doesn't intrude on the quality or entertainment factor.
- Question 7 (3:11): What is it about a film poster that grabs your attention?
Luke answered that he preferred a poster that got its point across and made sense, which seemed like a very pragmatic approach. Lewis said that he preferred colours and action, as well as a 'smart' poster that gets you thinking about the film rather than blatantly telling you the plot. Both of these are unique and interesting perspectives, and we'll be sure to consider them when designing the poster itself.
- Question 8 (3:55): Is there anything that you feel has to be on a film poster?
Luke argued that the title, as well as essential parts of the story and characters, should definitely be included. Lewis argued that the 'bare-bones' of a title, release date, and tagline are also necessary. This helps us understand the bare minimum of what most audience members expect when looking at posters.
- Question 9 (4:25): What posters are you favourite?
Luke again stressed he enjoyed posters that got to the point, while Lewis gave the example of the Star Wars posters, which he linked to franchise heritage and nostalgia. This is a good reminder that the external history or associations of films often dictate how famous a poster is.
- Question 8 (5:00): When you read a review, do you look at the scores or the opinions?
Both Lewis and Luke preferred an overview-style when reading reviews rather than in-depth opinions. This shows the importance of offering an overview rather than solid blocks of text.
(Note: The abrupt end of the video is due to unfortunate audio errors that have made the rest of the focus group (around a minute was unusable.)
- Question 2 (0:30): Have you ever seen a short film on social media?
Neither had said that they'd seen a short film on social media. This isn't surprising, because, from personal experience, I know that the type of content people are looking for on Facebook, Snapchat etc. is often very short-form (sometimes even just seconds long).
- Question 3 (1:00): Do you think it's important to show social issues in films?
Both argued that there should be a balance between ideology/entertainment. Lewis also made the distinction that some films should seek to entertain, while others do have a right to employ a message. I think this shows us that, as long as a film establishes to its audience what to expect, social commentary is permitted to a certain degree.
- Question 4 (1:44): Is there an issue you think is under-represented?
Both participants seemed to agree with my question, arguing that male suicide is an under-represented issue in mainstream media. I think this means that the topic we're going for, in a general sense, is somewhat unique as a social issue.
- Question 5 (1:56): Is there a proper way to present suicide and depression?
Lewis answered that he thought a short film may work better as a means to present the subject matter (as a feature length may get 'boring') and also that the presentation needs to be 'gritty' and 'shocking', which I interpreted as realistic.
- Question 6 (2:34) Is it the duty of a filmmaker to present social issues?
Neither of the participants said that it was specifically a filmmakers duty to capture and present social issues, but that, if they were to, it wouldn't be to the determent of anyone (providing they did it well). I think this shows a willingness to accept a given social issue in film, providing it doesn't intrude on the quality or entertainment factor.
- Question 7 (3:11): What is it about a film poster that grabs your attention?
Luke answered that he preferred a poster that got its point across and made sense, which seemed like a very pragmatic approach. Lewis said that he preferred colours and action, as well as a 'smart' poster that gets you thinking about the film rather than blatantly telling you the plot. Both of these are unique and interesting perspectives, and we'll be sure to consider them when designing the poster itself.
- Question 8 (3:55): Is there anything that you feel has to be on a film poster?
Luke argued that the title, as well as essential parts of the story and characters, should definitely be included. Lewis argued that the 'bare-bones' of a title, release date, and tagline are also necessary. This helps us understand the bare minimum of what most audience members expect when looking at posters.
- Question 9 (4:25): What posters are you favourite?
Luke again stressed he enjoyed posters that got to the point, while Lewis gave the example of the Star Wars posters, which he linked to franchise heritage and nostalgia. This is a good reminder that the external history or associations of films often dictate how famous a poster is.
- Question 8 (5:00): When you read a review, do you look at the scores or the opinions?
Both Lewis and Luke preferred an overview-style when reading reviews rather than in-depth opinions. This shows the importance of offering an overview rather than solid blocks of text.
Overall
This focus group gave us some interesting information. They reminded us of the importance of being able to deliver an important message but at the same time, still provide a good story line which will entertain our viewers. However, when it comes down to it, in my opinion, the story and message we are trying to portray has to be what we focus on.
This focus group gave us some interesting information. They reminded us of the importance of being able to deliver an important message but at the same time, still provide a good story line which will entertain our viewers. However, when it comes down to it, in my opinion, the story and message we are trying to portray has to be what we focus on.
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