Focus Group, Questionnaire & Feedback

Focus Group & Questionnaire

As a group, we decided to design a questionnaire focusing on the narrative, characters, stereotypes and opening scene. We asked 11 people to fill out a questionnaire after we read out the details of our film idea, 8 of these volunteers stayed for our focus group, so we can talk to them in more detail about our film ideas and gather their opinions about the narrative, characters, stereotypes and opening scene, so we can improve any weak points.

We asked the following questions:

·         Do you think the institutions involved are appropriate?

·         Do you think that involving Russia in a Cliché?

·         Is project nemesis a good name for a doomsday weapons? If not, any other suggestions?

·         We were thinking of Pursuit for the name of the film, what are your opinions of this? Any other suggestions?

·         What do you think about a female protagonist?

·         Is it a good thing that Agent Thorn is betrayed as aggressive? If not, why?

·         Do you think that Agent Swift is an appropriate name for a Russian agent? If not, any other suggestions?

·         Do you think defeating the stereotypes of gender in this film is a good idea? Would this affect the film popularity?

·         Is having a flashback in the opening scene clear and enigma creating?

·         Is it a good idea to keep the villains identity hidden in the opening scene or should we reveal them any why?

Question 1 - Do you think the institutions involved are appropriate?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 10                No – 1

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Group we learnt that they thought that the institutions were creative as they had a slight twist, rather than the typical MI5 and MI6. However we had to explain what the institutions was and what role it played in the film before they could fill out the questionnaires. However after explaining the concept of the institution they fully understood what it was and they liked the idea which we plan to use for our film. We will highly consider keeping the institution and hope it will work well with the films narrative.  

Question 2 - Do you think that involving Russia in a Cliché?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 7                  No – 4

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Group we learnt that having Russia as a country which is important for our films plot seems to be a Cliché for our focus group members, this is because that war has been associated with Russia throughout history and many spy thrillers use the country Russia in their narratives. Also other types of movies, not just spy thrillers have used Russia in their films. However if we continue to use Russia it may be a cliché, however the audience may jump to the conclusion that Russia may be the enemy in the film and help make the film not as hard to understand. But we will consider this when deciding our final film idea.

Question 3 – Is project nemesis a good name for a doomsday weapons? If not, any other suggestions?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 7                  No – 4

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments

·         Russian Name, like Chekorick

·         Something more inconspicuous. Project Pursuit

·         A bit Clichéd

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments Evidence

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Group and Questionnaires we learnt that there opinion of the name Project Nemesis was very appropriate, however we also learnt that this name could be further improved. Some suggestions where to match the project name with the title of the film, to make it more inconspicuous, the example given in the Focus Group and Questionnaire was Project Pursuit. Also a few members of the focus group believed that the name of the doomsday weapon was a bit clichéd and over used in films. Furthermore, one member of the focus group believed that if the doomsday weapon was Russian, it should have a Russian name. This opinion was agreed upon by other members of the focus group. All these suggestions made were very creative and in-depth ideas and we will take this advice on board, when considering the name.

Question 4 – We were thinking of Pursuit for the name of the film, what are your opinions of this? Any other suggestions?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 8                  No – 3

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments

·         World & End

·         Appropriate

·         The words Nemesis & Pursuit sounds like films already out

·         Already like Will Smith

·         Its great

·         Sounds to emotional

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments Evidence

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Group and Questionnaires we learnt that the potential name of our film came across with positive comments from our questionnaires and focus group. A majority of the focus group believed that the name ‘’Pursuit’’ was very appropriate to the plot of the film. Furthermore suggestions were made of other potential names as their opinions weren't justified why we should choose their name and they weren't suitable to the plot of the movie. From this positive response for this potential name, we are strongly considering in making this the official name of our film.

Question 5 – What do you think about a female protagonist?

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments

·         Think it overcomes the typical action clichés

·         I dunno, you only said a name

·         Good

·         Its good because most are male so it varies – less stereotypical

·         Not much

·         As long as it doesn't turn into a love story

·         Original

·         Good

·         Overcomes male stereotypes. Good. Females need to be credited more

·         It’s a change from male leads

·         Yes, it’s a refreshing change

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments Evidence

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Group and Questionnaires we learnt that the group loved the idea of having a female protagonist. Both Male and Females would like to have a female as the hero and appear strong and powerful, as many films use the stereotypes of females as damsels in distress. Furthermore the questionnaires showed that one member thought the idea was original and many in the focus group though this wouldn't affect the films popularity, in fact some people believed the film popularity would increase. From the suggestions of the questionnaires and the opinions of the focus group, we will be keeping the female protagonist in the film.

Question 6 – Is it a good thing that Agent Thorn is betrayed as aggressive? If not, why?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 10                No – 1

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments

·         Sounds more like betrayed

·         He wouldn't be a nice person, he knows too many secrets

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments Evidence

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Group and Questionnaires we learnt that many of the group members liked the idea of having the Agent Thorn being betrayed as aggressive, as Agent Thorn is Russian most people believed that he should come across to the audience as aggressive, also as an antagonist he should appear more unappealing to the audience. Also in the Questionnaires, a large majority believed he should become a violent and aggressive character. From the suggestions made in both the focus group and questionnaires, we will take this advice on board and keep the character remaining aggressive.

Question 7 - Do you think that Agent Swift is an appropriate name for a Russian agent? If not, any other suggestions?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 4                  No – 7

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments

·         Doesn't sound remotely Russia, add levels of random letters (‘’ski’’ at end)

·         Needs to be Russian

·         Putin

·         Doesn't sound very Russian

·         Go more Russian

·         Doesn't sound very Russian

·         Swift sounds cold – like Russia, too clichéd.

·         Agent ‘Russian word/Name’

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments Evidence

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Group and Questionnaires we learnt that the name Agent Swift is a suitable name for an agent, however as this character is Russian the name of agent would not be appropriate. These opinions came from both the focus group and questionnaires. However alternate suggestions for names were not given, this shows us what we need to consider.  We will highly consider changing the name to a Russian name, and will make sure that it is appropriate for both an agent and a Russian person.

Question 8 – Do you think defeating the stereotypes of gender in this film is a good idea? Would this affect the film popularity?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 10                No – 1

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments

·         No, loads of films have done it

·         It should be as popular

·         Love it!

·         Females would like it more

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments Evidence

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Groups and Questionnaires we learnt that the idea of defeating the stereotypes of genders in films was a great idea. The main gender stereotype we discussed with the focus group was the female gender. This is because in most spy thriller films the females are often the weak and vulnerable and we wanted to defeat this stereotype to make our film idea unique and original. From the questionnaires we gained a positive result as a large majority of people believe that this is a good idea, also that the films popularity would not decrease. In fact some members in the Questionnaire believed the films popularity would go up. We will keep this part of the film idea the same because of the focus group and questionnaires; however we will make sure any other changes made still make sure with other elements of the main film idea.

Question 9 – Is having a flashback in the opening scene clear and enigma creating?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 8                  No – 3

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments

·         Could be confusing

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments Evidence

Our Feedback & Response

From our Focus Group we learnt that having a flashback was a great idea because it is original as many films don’t contain flashbacks. However one member of the focus group commented that it may be slightly confusing to have a flashback at the beginning, which may cause the audience to lose interest. But we will consider the flashback, whether or not to have it in the beginning of the film. Also the flashback will have to make sense with the films narrative in order to work successfully.

Question 10 - Is it a good idea to keep the villains identity hidden in the opening scene or should we reveal them any why?

Questionnaire Total:       Yes – 9                  No – 2

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments

·         Maybe have one of his soldiers in it

·         The audience will be more focused and interested

·         Keep the audience thinking and interested

·         It builds tension

·         It creates mystery

·         Mysterious

·         Keep hidden for a twist

·         Creates suspense. Could be revealed at the start as its less clichéd

Questionnaire Suggestions & Comments Evidence

Our Feedback & Response

From our Questionnaires we learnt that keeping the villains identity is a good idea, as many of the questionnaires said that it will help create mystery and keep the audience focused. Also in the Focus Group, similar comments were made, one comment was to have the villains soldiers in the film to make the audience wonder who could be the main antagonist. Furthermore keeping the identity as a secret could lead to a twist. Plus in the Questionnaires, a particular negative result of keeping the antagonists identity secret is that it may be viewed as a cliché. However, many helpful comments were given and we will consider keeping the identity a secret as a majority of the focus group and questionnaires believed this was the best idea.

Focus Group Video Evidence

Focus Group Photo Evidence