Target Audience Research: Questionnaire
Age: 5-12 13-16 17-20 21+
Gender: Male Female
What would you like to see in a music video from a new, up and coming band with a “fun loving” attitude?
A live performance of the song
A story/narrative
Both of the above in the same video
Footage of the band (on tour for example)
Other
Why? (And if you chose ‘Other’, include what?)
Do you like to see humour in music videos?
What sort of narrative do you enjoy in music videos?
Relationship issues
An adventure
Solving a problem
A narrative that follows the lyrics of the song
Other
If you chose ‘other’, then what?
What is your favourite ever music video and why?
Do you think it is important that the style of a music video matches the style of the song it is portraying? Yes No
Why?
Response to Questionaire
The questionnaire will not illicit the same in depth response as the filmed interviews so we decided to distribute the questionnaires to the anticipated target audience of the band i.e. the age range 17-20. When asking a mixture of genders about whether the video should have a narrative, a live performance, footage of the band in a naturalistic setting (on tour) or a mixture of all three, with six out of seven respondents demonstrating a preference to the blend of all three. From this information we concluded that we need to blend all three concepts to have a successful video as although we asked only 17-20 year olds for this questionnaire their interests, likes and dislikes varied thus the response covered a wide demographic. With the fun loving ethos of the band we also asked if the audience would want humour within the video, the overall response was “yes” if the song fits and the style of the song relates to humour and optimism. Analysis of the filmed interviews clearly demonstrated that the song ‘Happyface’ is of this style. So therefore we decided to implement the idea of humour within the video. One of the responses also gave an example of BLINK 182’s humour within a video. With the wide demographic we decided to ask what sort of narrative should take place during the video to see what the overall consensus was. This varied audience was shown as most of the responses had a different opinion. The most popular one, if there was one, was a narrative, which backs up the song and the lyrics. The questionnaire also asked the consumer what there favourite music video was and why. This was because if there were any similarities of why the consumers liked a certain video we could maybe apply these concepts within our video. Although there was no one clear preference the one feature, which all the responses concluded, was a preference for videos, which do not follow any stereotypical concept, or a video, which demonstrates a clear connection with the lyrics and themes of the song. Finally all the responses agreed that the video has to link to the song no matter how good the quality is, It needs to compliment the song.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Locations for Music Video
The Sugar Mill
The two pictures below shows where we played to film the 'Live Gig' aspect of the film. We initially liked this location, but once we realized the concerns about permission and lighting being to dark we decided against this idea to against to use this location.
Wood
The two pictures below show first impressions of the wood we are planning to use to film the band. We think this would be a good location because it has space to film but still is very much a wood, with a very good feel and look. The mise-en-scene of wood is very natural obviously and we like the concept of having a band that plays modern/electric instruments.
The two pictures below shows where we played to film the 'Live Gig' aspect of the film. We initially liked this location, but once we realized the concerns about permission and lighting being to dark we decided against this idea to against to use this location.
Wood
The two pictures below show first impressions of the wood we are planning to use to film the band. We think this would be a good location because it has space to film but still is very much a wood, with a very good feel and look. The mise-en-scene of wood is very natural obviously and we like the concept of having a band that plays modern/electric instruments.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Ideas for the Music Video
We have discussed a number of ideas for the music video. We have used the research from our questionnaires and the interviews with the audience and the band to help us with our decision.
List of Ideas
Shower/Bathroom Idea
This idea was basically to video people singing in the shower or in the bathroom as if it was being filmed secretly. We thought of this idea as it would appeal to many people in our target audience and most people in general as people sing in the shower, therefore people would enjoy/laugh by the video as they can relate to it. We also discussed that there might be a video like this but we hadn't seen it so it would be original.
Verdict:
At first we thought this idea would be successful, this is because we thought it would make the audience laugh, because it appeals to not only our target audience but everyone and because it reflects the bands personality, fun loving. However, we changed our minds because we decided it wouldn't show enough of the band and the bands style, especially because we want them to be shown as new, up-and-coming and different, and that from the video the audience wouldn't see this.
One Man and his Relationships
This idea was our favourite from the narrative side of things. The video would show the story of a man moving from relationship to relationship unsuccessfully, ending each story with him being dumped or slapped. The positive of this video would be that it fully relates to what's on screen, as the lyrics tell a story of a man trying to put his 'Happy Face' on after a bad relationship. We thought this idea would work and as it matches the lyrics it would be suitable to use.
Verdict:
The positive fact that the lyrics and the video would relate wasn't bigger than the fact that we need to show the band and how the band behave, their personality and style. From looking at media theorists we realised in youth culture 'style' is defined with a few things such as; behaviour, clothes etc, and that 'style' is very important to young people and they judge things differently. Therefore we decided against this idea.
Ping Pong
We nicknamed this idea the 'Ping Pong' because it starts with a ping pong ball. This idea was a very abstract was to simplily follow a ping pong ball with a happy face on, relating to the song, 'Happy Face'.
Verdict:
This was one of our weaker ideas, which we soon realised wouldn't make a good video for 3 minutes +, it would possibly show the band as being different but the idea was weak.
Pictures
This idea orginated from the new concept of videos which feature the lyrics or related things shown in pictures to 'tell' the song to you like a story. For example, a line out of the song 'Put on your happy face, Elastics gonna rock this place', when the word 'happy' was sung it would come up on screen and a picture of a smiley face, when 'Elastics' is sung maybe a picture of elastic, or elastics bands.
Verdict:
We decided against this idea because of three main reasons; firstly, we believe this type of video if just a fad, or a phase which will not last, secondly, because this phase looks 'cheap'. Its a easy video and only would take a couple of hours to reach the finished product, it would show the band as small time and unimportant. Finally, because we want the band to represented differently, not as a 'cheap' band who do 'corny' videos.
Live Gig, Rehearsal and Band Messing Round
This idea has three parts, and all three parts will mix together to show three different perspectives of the band. The 'Live Gig' will show the band performing and will show the band as the audience see them, when they have taken the full personality of the band and how they want to be seen, the rehearsal is the middle ground, they can show there actual personalities yet are still taking on the persona of the band. The 'Band Messing Around' shows the opposite of the band persona, its shows their off-stage style and persona.
Verdict:
This firstly was our main idea, for a time we had decided this was our definite idea. However after looking at the logistics we realized this idea wouldn't work. Firstly, we decided that the music video would be to bare with out a narrative, even if it only a small narrative, it would need some sort of structure and something for the audience to follow. Secondly, we realized that recording at a live gig would be tough, because of the lighting as it would be too dark, and also because we would need a written note from the venue allowing us to film, and even then there is still issues concerned around filming other people.
Final Idea: Narrative of Relationship and Band Performing
This idea has to parts, the first part; is a narrative, this shows a man trying to woo the girl he likes; we should show this using stereotypical techniques such as using flowers, a meal etc. The second part of video is going to be showing the band playing, not at a gig or rehearsal but in a location relevant to the narrative. We have narrowed this location down to a wood which will be used in the final scene of the narrative.
We picked this idea because it shows the band how they want to be portrayed, it also shows a narrative which keeps the video interesting giving the audience a structure to watch.
List of Ideas
Shower/Bathroom Idea
This idea was basically to video people singing in the shower or in the bathroom as if it was being filmed secretly. We thought of this idea as it would appeal to many people in our target audience and most people in general as people sing in the shower, therefore people would enjoy/laugh by the video as they can relate to it. We also discussed that there might be a video like this but we hadn't seen it so it would be original.
Verdict:
At first we thought this idea would be successful, this is because we thought it would make the audience laugh, because it appeals to not only our target audience but everyone and because it reflects the bands personality, fun loving. However, we changed our minds because we decided it wouldn't show enough of the band and the bands style, especially because we want them to be shown as new, up-and-coming and different, and that from the video the audience wouldn't see this.
One Man and his Relationships
This idea was our favourite from the narrative side of things. The video would show the story of a man moving from relationship to relationship unsuccessfully, ending each story with him being dumped or slapped. The positive of this video would be that it fully relates to what's on screen, as the lyrics tell a story of a man trying to put his 'Happy Face' on after a bad relationship. We thought this idea would work and as it matches the lyrics it would be suitable to use.
Verdict:
The positive fact that the lyrics and the video would relate wasn't bigger than the fact that we need to show the band and how the band behave, their personality and style. From looking at media theorists we realised in youth culture 'style' is defined with a few things such as; behaviour, clothes etc, and that 'style' is very important to young people and they judge things differently. Therefore we decided against this idea.
Ping Pong
We nicknamed this idea the 'Ping Pong' because it starts with a ping pong ball. This idea was a very abstract was to simplily follow a ping pong ball with a happy face on, relating to the song, 'Happy Face'.
Verdict:
This was one of our weaker ideas, which we soon realised wouldn't make a good video for 3 minutes +, it would possibly show the band as being different but the idea was weak.
Pictures
This idea orginated from the new concept of videos which feature the lyrics or related things shown in pictures to 'tell' the song to you like a story. For example, a line out of the song 'Put on your happy face, Elastics gonna rock this place', when the word 'happy' was sung it would come up on screen and a picture of a smiley face, when 'Elastics' is sung maybe a picture of elastic, or elastics bands.
Verdict:
We decided against this idea because of three main reasons; firstly, we believe this type of video if just a fad, or a phase which will not last, secondly, because this phase looks 'cheap'. Its a easy video and only would take a couple of hours to reach the finished product, it would show the band as small time and unimportant. Finally, because we want the band to represented differently, not as a 'cheap' band who do 'corny' videos.
Live Gig, Rehearsal and Band Messing Round
This idea has three parts, and all three parts will mix together to show three different perspectives of the band. The 'Live Gig' will show the band performing and will show the band as the audience see them, when they have taken the full personality of the band and how they want to be seen, the rehearsal is the middle ground, they can show there actual personalities yet are still taking on the persona of the band. The 'Band Messing Around' shows the opposite of the band persona, its shows their off-stage style and persona.
Verdict:
This firstly was our main idea, for a time we had decided this was our definite idea. However after looking at the logistics we realized this idea wouldn't work. Firstly, we decided that the music video would be to bare with out a narrative, even if it only a small narrative, it would need some sort of structure and something for the audience to follow. Secondly, we realized that recording at a live gig would be tough, because of the lighting as it would be too dark, and also because we would need a written note from the venue allowing us to film, and even then there is still issues concerned around filming other people.
Final Idea: Narrative of Relationship and Band Performing
This idea has to parts, the first part; is a narrative, this shows a man trying to woo the girl he likes; we should show this using stereotypical techniques such as using flowers, a meal etc. The second part of video is going to be showing the band playing, not at a gig or rehearsal but in a location relevant to the narrative. We have narrowed this location down to a wood which will be used in the final scene of the narrative.
We picked this idea because it shows the band how they want to be portrayed, it also shows a narrative which keeps the video interesting giving the audience a structure to watch.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Music Channels
All these music channels we believe would match the song and reach our target audience.
From our interviews, research and questionnaires we believe our target audience is any gender with an age range from 16 – 28 years; they enjoy going out, having a good time and enjoy music.
MTV Hits
A music channel for new and upcoming music, usually features pop music but also features music with either a rap or indie feel. This music channel is the one that people use to hear new good music, and is described as being ‘the one you have to listen to’ by most listeners. MTV Hits will only ever play your song if you already have a big following behind that song, or they believe it will be a big hit.
MTV Two
The music channel with attitude for indie, rock and alternative music enthusiasts. An interactive music channel playing diverse and cutting edge music.
16 – 24year olds
NME
Stereotypically new music with a different vibe, normally consisting of indie and rock.
Q Music
Q music channel contains mostly indie music and has a mature feel, this makes it a good channel to reach our older target audience, e.g. 20 – 25year olds.
Stars
This music channel gives most it’s time to pop music but does feature specials more related to indie music, the target audience of this channel is therefore younger and more interested in pop music but we still believe that our song could do well as it has elements which are both categories of music, pop and indie.
Viva + Viva Two
Viva used to be an independently owned channel but recently got brought out by MTV. Viva states that it plays what it calls ‘hits’. While Viva Two ‘concentrates on lesser known and more independently produced music’. This would suit the band as they see themselves as different, and adding to the fact they are new and up and coming.
From our interviews, research and questionnaires we believe our target audience is any gender with an age range from 16 – 28 years; they enjoy going out, having a good time and enjoy music.
MTV Hits
A music channel for new and upcoming music, usually features pop music but also features music with either a rap or indie feel. This music channel is the one that people use to hear new good music, and is described as being ‘the one you have to listen to’ by most listeners. MTV Hits will only ever play your song if you already have a big following behind that song, or they believe it will be a big hit.
MTV Two
The music channel with attitude for indie, rock and alternative music enthusiasts. An interactive music channel playing diverse and cutting edge music.
16 – 24year olds
NME
Stereotypically new music with a different vibe, normally consisting of indie and rock.
Q Music
Q music channel contains mostly indie music and has a mature feel, this makes it a good channel to reach our older target audience, e.g. 20 – 25year olds.
Stars
This music channel gives most it’s time to pop music but does feature specials more related to indie music, the target audience of this channel is therefore younger and more interested in pop music but we still believe that our song could do well as it has elements which are both categories of music, pop and indie.
Viva + Viva Two
Viva used to be an independently owned channel but recently got brought out by MTV. Viva states that it plays what it calls ‘hits’. While Viva Two ‘concentrates on lesser known and more independently produced music’. This would suit the band as they see themselves as different, and adding to the fact they are new and up and coming.
Interviews with Audience
We interviewed 3 people in our research for the music videos. We interviewed 3 different age groups; 16 - 18, 20 - 30 and 50+. This is to get 3 different perspectives on the same information, from this we can see how to market the video and make the video better for our target audience and more accessible to a wider audience.
Details on 'The Elastics' Interview
The meeting was arranged for the 1st November 2010, we had the aim in this interview to find out about the band and what they see as their target audience, so hopefully we could match the video to the band and genre of music. We had a list of purposed questions, these were;
How do you want your band to be portrayed?
What do you believe your target audience is?
Why do you think this is your target audience is and does the album cover, song and video relate to this?
What band would you compare yourself to?
Can you see your band as mass audience, and if not how can you become mass audience, or do you want to stay in a niche market?
How can the video show the bands messages and personalities?
We also asked the band how they see themselves as a band, for example what representations to they give.
Their response was; 'we aren't interested in being representated as a pop band because we are completely different, we write our own music, and would not like to be signed by a mainstream label as our audience are people like us, who aren't a record labels normal audience. We like writing our own unique music and want to be shown to have a liquid representation; fun, different, pushing the boundaries, creative and merry, having a good time is a huge part of our inspiration, lyrics and lifestyles, which is what makes us, us.
How do you want your band to be portrayed?
What do you believe your target audience is?
Why do you think this is your target audience is and does the album cover, song and video relate to this?
What band would you compare yourself to?
Can you see your band as mass audience, and if not how can you become mass audience, or do you want to stay in a niche market?
How can the video show the bands messages and personalities?
We also asked the band how they see themselves as a band, for example what representations to they give.
Their response was; 'we aren't interested in being representated as a pop band because we are completely different, we write our own music, and would not like to be signed by a mainstream label as our audience are people like us, who aren't a record labels normal audience. We like writing our own unique music and want to be shown to have a liquid representation; fun, different, pushing the boundaries, creative and merry, having a good time is a huge part of our inspiration, lyrics and lifestyles, which is what makes us, us.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Interview with The Elastics
Interview with 2 members of 'The Elastics' (The band who's song we are making a music video for, and the basis of our album cover and magazine advert).
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