Short Film Survey Analysis

By: Marija Djikic

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZNLJFS

Short Film Survey This survey is the part of my A2 Media Studies Coursework primary research. The main purpose of this research was create a potential target audience

profile so that I could purposely create film that is appalling to them in regards to concept and artistic interpretation. With the insight into desired target audience wants and needs I would be in a position to design distribution and advertising strategy that would be directed at and accessible to them.

In order to carry out in-depth market research so that I could make more informed decisions, I have decided to use simple and sophisticated web-based survey provider called SurveyMonkey. This site is widely used by many companies and has millions of people ready to take the survey.

In addition to make this target audience assessment successful, I have posted my survey link on equally widely used social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Q1:What is your age?This question allowed me to establish age group that is likely to identify with the lead character and watch the short film that I am aiming to create. Having in mind this age group my final product must be appalling to them and the promotional campaign equally needs to be purposely designed for them.

Q2:Do you enjoy watching short films?

Within this survey I was very pleased to see that overwhelmingly people from my desired target group enjoy watching short films. This information will make promotional strategy much easier because I would be able to reach audience that is already familiar and follow short film production.

Q3: What is the ideal length for the short

film?In this question it is evident that over half of participants prefer to watch short films that are up to 20 minutes long. As I have to follow strict coursework guidance I am not in position to implement findings from this question. If I am to produce this short film in existing film industry I would most definitely make this short film slightly longer because I believe that this particular story has a potential to be extended and developed into a longer version.

Q4:What makes a short film effective? Is there any topic that would create a good

short film?As most short films are low budget therefor directors focus on developing a inspirational story which is most appealing to audience that is watching them as well. ‘Lonely Dinner’ is mainly based on a unique story line, definitely unpredictable end and with a lot of depth. Setting of the short film is very simple, so I have made slight adjustment to my script and eventual location.

Q5:What is the main purpose of the short

film? Within this particular survey, up to 50% of surveyed people were interested to watch firstly films that carry important social or cultural massage and secondly to imaginatively tell the story. My own short film has a deep and a very powerful social message and a story is very universal and timeless.

Q6: What is your favorite short film

genre?This particular question is crucial in identifying the specific film genre my potential target audience prefers to watch. Most participants are largely inclined to watch drama films followed by comedies. I am more than pleased with the outcomes because my own film belongs into a drama sub-genre and genre hybrid, called monodrama with the elements of dark comedy.

Q7: Where do you hear about new films?

In order to compose successful promotional campaign which would attract potential audience information from this question was extremely beneficial. As the target audience is educated it is obvious that they use and are active on different forms of social media. Advertising campaign will use mostly web forms of communication as free and largely used source of information and exchange.

8: Have you been to any short film festival? If yes,

which one?The middle age intellectual target group on regular bases visit art related events in order to watch creations that are less showed on mainstream forms of entertainment such as Television. To make this film accessible to them I will definitely need to apply to short film festivals in order to attract audience and to make this film easily assessable to them.

9:How do you like to watch short films

Due to a limited financial abilities, the only two options that are available to most short film creators is to distribute film through Social Medias and Online Video Websites. As the desired target audience is active on social media the placement of my short film via same will increase watching potential. In addition due to duration this film could be screened in cinema before feature film. Initially I intend to negotiate with Belgrade cinemas and if this shows fruitful my intentions are to approach other cinema complexes abroad.

In short film monodrama, what do you find most

appealing?With the results of this question I am very satisfied because it is clear that potential audience is familiar with the monodrama film genre and that storyline is the essence of such films. The ‘Lonely Dinner’ is a short film monodrama, with an extraordinary inner motivation, good storyline and a great narrative. This answer helped me realised that I should further improve and develop my storyline and make even more complex and intriguing.

Short Film Survey Summary

Once I have completed and analyzed survey findings I was able to establish potential target audience that would be attracted to watch my short film and what type of promotional strategies to use in order to make such a product accessible and eventually a success.

Using this valuable information I will create a detailed audience profile taking into consideration their wants and needs.

These findings I will implement first into a film pitch and later during post production in designing and making of promotional materials.