Focus Group Discussion

So after just a short time of using my Facebook group to begin to ask questions, I recieved some feedback from my Focus Group a.k.a. my friends. (link)

Facebook has the tendency to notify people of every single little thing that happens in a group. The people in my focus group felt that this annoyed them more than engaged them and that unless specifically prompted, they would forget to comment or take or look.

So, I suggested that I just explain my ideas to them and take their opinions there and then. Although this is not the most official or efficient way of doing things, if it means that I will actually get proper feedback then that is what I will do.

Focus Group Questions for Feedback

These questions will be posted on the Facebook page soon:

• First I need to make sure that I post the pitch and ask them to watch and give their initial thoughts then asking 'Do you understand the concept?'
• 'Do you think my idea is relevant to the genre?'
• Provide a list of potential shots and ask which ones they think sound best
• 'Does this sound interesting and does it sound like a music video?'
• 'Is there anything you think needs to be included prop wise? costume wise? performance wise?'
• 'Does anyone want to be a part of this video?' - then provide filming times etc.
• 'Oli, I know you can play the guitar but can you play electric guitar? Would you consider performing in the video?'
• Later I will ask them to vote on who they think is most suitable for the roles

My Coursework Plan

Pitch Feedback

After performing my pitch to the rest of my media class, I received some very encouraging feedback, despite realising how much information I had actually left out. For example, no-one knew exactly who was my target audience until I was asked afterwards. (target audience post) And yet still comments said that it still looked to be both interesting and achievable.

It seems that generally, people really like the pineapple idea. I think it's because it's something people can immediately identify as strange and perhaps knowing that when the main character doesn't gives an audience the sense of superiority.

Also they seemed to like the idea of making fun of typical conventions and where the humour would be coming from, which was good as these were two points I really wanted to be prevolent.

It seemed that they believed that my idea worked to engage the audience and, by process of illimination, would work well the sell the artist/music. After such positive feedback, I look forward to getting stuck in!

My Pitch

As a part of the music video creation process I needed to deliver a pitch to the rest of my media class in order to sell my idea. Here is the video I played:

I received a lot of feedback regarding my ideas. Despite wondering whether or not the pineapple idea would be a little too hard to understand, nearly all of my feedback was very encouraging. Not only did they like the idea but also commented on how it turns my stereotypical breakup theme into something else. This is exactly what I wanted to convey as the song is accentuating the conventions of the break up and pointing out (at least from Paramore's perspective) that people get so overemotional. I am really glad that I know this will communicate clearly.

They also believed that I had an idea that would apply to my audiences well (as I explained the demographic after I was asked). There is risk to go to far on the humorous side but I planned to induce the humour in careful moderation and not go too far with the pop elements/conventions.

There was a little speculation with regards to whether or not the locations will be suitable as they have not yet been specifically decided - they involve a bedroom, a living room and a few outdoor shots - and so soon I will be doing an evaluation for availability and suitability for my possible locations.

Overall the feedback I received told me that this seems achievable as well as exciting and one person even specifically stated that they looked forward to seeing the finished video.

Video Trials

Here are some video trials I created testing techniques I could possibly use in my video.

Video Shot and Concept Ideas

What I have gathered from the lyrics is that '(One of Those) Crazy Girls' there are some very strong messages. What I gather is that:

1. It is focused on the extent on which some girls hang onto denial
2. It is meant to convey an over-the-top feel
3. The relationship was clearly never going to work
4. The subject is not necessarily crazy but IS super paranoid at best

When listening to this song, the ukulele at the start came through very strongly and immediately conjured tropical thoughts i.e. palm trees and hawaii. Yet at the same time there seemed to be a slight 50's/60's vibe to the sound (until the main guitar kicks in of course). In my mind then, I envision the subject to look a little like she might have stepped straight out of 'Grease', with her hair in bunches, big skirt and possibly the cat eye style sunglasses.

Then there comes the actual message of the song and my role in conveying that. I need the audience to get the message immediately and so to do this I want the ex-boyfriend roll to be played by a pineapple.

Here are some of the shot ideas I am speculating at the moment:

- Over the top crying w. ice cream eating in pj's. Either still with singer in the immediate front or moving around a circle which she is stood in the middle of.
- some form of simple synchronised movement/dance of singer + girls styled to look 'break-up crazy' i.e. messy hair and make-up, clothes a little bit punky and aggressive.
- walking up to front door in the rain with flowers
- singer thrashing on her bed next to someone playing the guitar solo in a hawaiian pineapple shirt
- purposeful marching towards the camera with scowel