First Focus Group Evaluation

Rationale/Hypothesis: Rates of bullying vary across studies (from 9% to 98%). A meta-analysis of 80 studies analysing bullying involvement rates (for both bullying others and being bullied) for 12-18 year old students reported a mean prevalence rate of 35% for traditional bullying involvement and 15% for cyber-bullying involvement.

Question: what key themes and issues did you see and what do they tell you about the production?

Direct Reference: “Bullying i suppose, in a way and quite introverted. General Teenage stuff.” B.A

“I would say awkwardness as well” M.F

Discrete Analysis:

Half of the focus group mentioned on the issue of teenage bullying, another agreed as well as providing his own report on the issues and themes he had found.

Comparative Analysis: One member of the focus group gave an example of the awkwardness he mentioned, reporting that the best scene for the awkwardness is when character Jessica begins to swear at Mason, Another member of the group agreed with this statement.

Conclusions:In asking the question the group, it was a form of validation that my first edit can provide enough of an experience so that its viewers are able to see clearly the themes and issues I wanted to perceive through the production. Although i did receive feedback which supports my actions in representing bullying, i would prefer it if the whole group could pick up on it. It is important to remember that bullying can have serious effects on those of a young age, The focus group were aware of this; meaning that there was a lack of evidence to support representation.

Action Statement: The focus group has helped me to understand how my production is seen through a non media eye, how it looks to the passive viewer. With this Information, I plan to make as many pick up shots as possible during the half term. I contacted all of my crew and arranged a time for the shoot to take place; I also created a list of what shots I needed to either change or re-shoot. In doing this I hope to make the productions aims clearer to an audience. I will measure my progress by holding another focus group, I will bring members from the first group as well as new members, this way I have a portion who have seen the progression of the production and some who will be seeing it for the first time.

Through one evaluation of one question i have been able to determine what I need to improve on. I chose this question because it asked for the viewers opinion on the most important element of my production; The Themes and Issues.