(Post) Production: Opening and Audience Feedback

Here is the first cut of the opening to my short film, I have asked my focus group to say what they liked and didn't like about it (what could be changed).

Suzie Maynard- 

Liked:"I really liked the choice of music with the combination of the opening black and white shots. The transitions are really smooth and a nice pace has started to build. The feeling of emptiness when we realise that there is no audience is also very affective."

What could be changed: "I think the clips of him laughing could be made shorter and perhaps you could use a sound to signify the end of the music and the beginning of the reality."

Nick Beecham-

Liked: "I loved the dramatic climax that the scene builds to, and I also enjoyed the different use of light in this opening. The sun and light ripples on the water and the the prominent spotlight. It was all very aesthetic"

What could be changed: "I think that the shots of him laughing go on a bit, and should perhaps be cut to form a faster pace sequence of hysterics. The flash of the child should appear more frequently"

By asking a two members  of my focus group for their opinions (both of different age and gender) I get a very broad view of what needs to be done to my opening to improve it. I shall take their comments into the editing room and make the need changes.