After the completion of the opening sequence, all of the media classes and teachers spent the commencing lessons watching each others preliminary tasks in order to retrieve feedback and criticism on the scene we created. Teachers also had influence and involvement in feedback that was given to us as a group.
Peer Evaluation
- Generally, the feedback received over the genre convention was good. Most people stated that we was displaying a musical clearly and that it was easily understandable. This was due to some of the iconography we used such as the lip syncing, natural teacher-student conflict and the stage production at the end of the opening sequence.
- We included all of the shots in our production so we received positive feedback in regards to the shots included. Many of the viewers complimented our tracking and high angle shots as they took a unique approach to some of the regular shots used in this content.
- There were mixed opinions on our camera, editing and Mise En Scene work. Some of the viewers explained in the feedback forms that the content displayed on the camera was good. Some people liked the setting such as the running in the corridors, the props used for the end shot like the plants and the black headband and the spotlight used on the characters to highlight their importance. So overall, our Mise En Scene was quite successful. Camera work was mainly complimented on. However, we did receive some negative feedback on some scenes when the camera lens was unfocused and how it was shaking in some of the shots. Although this was due to the tripod not catering very well for the camera, not many of the viewers realized this. Editing was one of the main criticisms in our production. Many of the audience stated that we should have spent more time on slowing the pace down on the songs and including more effects and transitions. Some of the positive reviews we received though was based on the Foley we used for footsteps and the door opening in the match on action shot.
- Most of our criticism was received on the script and the story line. Several viewers stated that they couldn't quite understand the concept or the plot of our production. There was also negative feedback on the fact that the characters didn't say anything. There was so set script that we included on our production since the opening sequence just involved lip syncing, During the planning phase, we agreed that we shouldn't use dialogue in order to portray the genre convention clearer. However, it was proven that this was successful therefore it is something to improve in our future coursework.
- Overall, most of the comments received on our production was positive. Most viewers stated that it wasn't too bad. There were mixed reviews on the humor of the content. Some people found it funny and enjoyable whereas others despised it and couldn't grasp the concept of the sequence. We scored on average 35/50, which is the equivalent to a B grade at A level. We agreed as a group that this was a good score for our preliminary task, however, some parts of the process prevented us from accessing higher marks which we will improve on in the future.
Teacher Evaluation
- As a whole, the teachers gave us mostly positive feedback. One of the strengths we received that was positive was the tracking and high angle shots used in the production. They liked the way that the students were hiding behind the wall from the teacher who couldn't see them . They further explained how the high angle shot clearly depicted this. They also complimented the Foley used throughout the sequence and they enjoyed how it was cleverly inserted for the establishment shot. Finally, they found that as well as it being a musical, there was lots of humor associated with the genre. For instance, the guitar scene with Luke and D. Amato's confused look when the pupils vanish from detention. Overall, teachers concluded that it was a funny yet interesting approach taken on an opening sequence.
- However, not all of the feedback was positive. Some criticism was given on the camera quality and that it should have been less fidgety and more focused for improvements on our opening. We was also told that we mostly relied on non diegetic sound on the soundtrack and that we should have used more natural background noises. However, it was quite difficult to incorporate diegetic sound in our production as the wind was too noisy to use and we needed songs in our project to convey that it was a musical. Finally, we was told that we should have included a final miming sequence in the end to improve the script and story line of our opening. However, due to the amount of time given, we was unable to include this in our project. This is a further improvement for our future foundation coursework.
