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Friday, 12 February 2010
Final Reflection
Throughout this project I have learnt a lot about what goes into making an online series and how it differs from other shows, there are many differences between shows that are based online and show that are on TV or in a theater. A main difference is the was in which the shows are view all three of the these show types are viewed by audiences in different ways. Online show will of course be mainly viewable online on social networking sites and websites. Where as TV show will be shown on a television station and theatre shows will be viewed live by the audience while the show is being performed on a stage. Although these shows are all based mainly in those forms, they can change, such as some TV show can also be viewed on the internet as online shows are, also TV shows, and some very successful online series like ‘The Guild’ have been release for purchase on DVD and online download on sites such as iTunes, as well as being online. The way people view shows is also changing as now people can not only view most things online from a computer; whether it be an online series, TV show or movie, videos from the internet can now be viewed on portable devices like phones and ipod. This means that shows that can be viewed online can now be viewed anywhere be using a phone.
When creating marketing strategies and ideas, the where a lot of possibilities, throughout the project our main source of marketing was the internet, using social networking sites, such as facebook, myspace, twitter, flickr and youtube. This generates a lot more audience interest than conventional strategies such as posters, as poster can only be seen by a limited audience of only people that will be in the area of the poster.
Where as online marketing can reach anyone from any area of the world. The social networking sites and website I worked to create also helped to update our audience not only of where to view the show but how to contact us and it gave them regular updates on how the production of the show was coming along. As different people are connect to different social networking sites, I decided to create quite a few, but I mainly posted the same information on each, posting the links to the videos on these sites is what got people to view them, if we were to have just put it on youtube and vimeo without telling anyone about them, then no one would have viewed them.
When creating marketing strategies and ideas, the where a lot of possibilities, throughout the project our main source of marketing was the internet, using social networking sites, such as facebook, myspace, twitter, flickr and youtube. This generates a lot more audience interest than conventional strategies such as posters, as poster can only be seen by a limited audience of only people that will be in the area of the poster.
Where as online marketing can reach anyone from any area of the world. The social networking sites and website I worked to create also helped to update our audience not only of where to view the show but how to contact us and it gave them regular updates on how the production of the show was coming along. As different people are connect to different social networking sites, I decided to create quite a few, but I mainly posted the same information on each, posting the links to the videos on these sites is what got people to view them, if we were to have just put it on youtube and vimeo without telling anyone about them, then no one would have viewed them.
We did use one conventional strategy, we decided that quite a lot of people from college either may not have social networking sites or may to know about the show, so we put up three posters around college to promote each episode. Our group also used the online networking to generate help for the show, I posted messages and updates on; facebook, twitter, flickr and myspace to get audiences that are in an unsigned band to let us use their music in the show, which is how our show got it’s theme song, from a band on myspace. I also posted information to social networking sites to people about needing actors and asking people to audition, although we also put poster up for the auditions as well. I think that using both online and conventional ways on marketing and promotion are a good idea because both generate different types of audiences and are likely to both attract people to the show.
Using the social networking sites our group got very fast responses from the audiences after posting the videos, we get feedback within at least a few hours of a video being posted. Although we get quick responses the responses seem to develop a pattern through the three episodes. The first episode definitely generated the most popularity, it so far has the most number of views, at 830 views compared to episode two, 320, and episode 3, 245. This is a dramatic decrease each episode, which means that as the show continues people are losing interest in the show. Episode one was also the only episode to have views from outside of the UK, episode one had a few views from Spain and USA. This shows that the hype of the show from social networking got people interested to watch but then some people after watching realise that it either wasn’t what they expected or wasn’t the kind of show that they would like to watch. Not only did the views changed over time but the comments change as well; episode one has 15 comments, episode two has 5 comments and episode three has 4 comments. Although all of the comments on each episode have positive aspects, the first episode is the only episode that features a lot of criticism, I think that this is because after the first episode the audience wanted to let us know that they will continue watching and wanted us to know the things that we are going to change or improve to keep people watching. Following the trend, the number of rating decreased also, from 13 to 4 to 2, although the average rating improves the first episode as 4 and a half star, where as episodes 2 and 3 have an average rating of 5 stars. This would indicate that although less people are viewing the show, the viewers that are watching are enjoying it a lot more, because the ratings and amount of criticism is improving.
Unlike in a TV show, where all the episodes of a series are filmed almost all at once, then showed to audience after all the filming is complete, I had the opportunity to get to hear from our audience before filming the rest of the episode, this meant that anything that the audience did not enjoy about the show or anything they thought could be improve, could be changed before the next episode. The main criticism from our audience was the acting in the show, because we were told this before filming the second episode, we had the chance to work through it with the actor and get more rehearsal done so the actors would be more comfortable and better at acting. We did this well because in the second and third episodes we didn’t get as many comments about the acting. We also received feedback saying that the show does not feature enough shot types, so for the next episodes I worked for a lot longer on the shot lists and storyboards to create more variety. This definitely improved to quality of the shows appearance. TV shows that film several episode because broadcasting do not get this opportunity, they can not change or improve the show, according to feedback until all the previously filmed shows have been broadcasted, this means that if audiences don’t like something about a some they may have to wait a whole season of the show to see any improvements, which by then they may have already lost interest in the show. Web series can be influenced a lot easier by audiences than something like a TV show, which I feel is part of what attracts audiences to online series’.
Much of the ideas behind our marketing and promoting, and audience influences has been guided by our research of pervious web series. Web shows like ‘The Guild’ have very similar marketing to our, they have all their videos on youtube and their own website, they have social networking sites, and merchandise. Through our research of this show and others like ‘Chad Vader’ and ‘Living With The Infidels’ I discovered that these are the main ways that web series work and achieve success.
Using the social networking sites our group got very fast responses from the audiences after posting the videos, we get feedback within at least a few hours of a video being posted. Although we get quick responses the responses seem to develop a pattern through the three episodes. The first episode definitely generated the most popularity, it so far has the most number of views, at 830 views compared to episode two, 320, and episode 3, 245. This is a dramatic decrease each episode, which means that as the show continues people are losing interest in the show. Episode one was also the only episode to have views from outside of the UK, episode one had a few views from Spain and USA. This shows that the hype of the show from social networking got people interested to watch but then some people after watching realise that it either wasn’t what they expected or wasn’t the kind of show that they would like to watch. Not only did the views changed over time but the comments change as well; episode one has 15 comments, episode two has 5 comments and episode three has 4 comments. Although all of the comments on each episode have positive aspects, the first episode is the only episode that features a lot of criticism, I think that this is because after the first episode the audience wanted to let us know that they will continue watching and wanted us to know the things that we are going to change or improve to keep people watching. Following the trend, the number of rating decreased also, from 13 to 4 to 2, although the average rating improves the first episode as 4 and a half star, where as episodes 2 and 3 have an average rating of 5 stars. This would indicate that although less people are viewing the show, the viewers that are watching are enjoying it a lot more, because the ratings and amount of criticism is improving.
Unlike in a TV show, where all the episodes of a series are filmed almost all at once, then showed to audience after all the filming is complete, I had the opportunity to get to hear from our audience before filming the rest of the episode, this meant that anything that the audience did not enjoy about the show or anything they thought could be improve, could be changed before the next episode. The main criticism from our audience was the acting in the show, because we were told this before filming the second episode, we had the chance to work through it with the actor and get more rehearsal done so the actors would be more comfortable and better at acting. We did this well because in the second and third episodes we didn’t get as many comments about the acting. We also received feedback saying that the show does not feature enough shot types, so for the next episodes I worked for a lot longer on the shot lists and storyboards to create more variety. This definitely improved to quality of the shows appearance. TV shows that film several episode because broadcasting do not get this opportunity, they can not change or improve the show, according to feedback until all the previously filmed shows have been broadcasted, this means that if audiences don’t like something about a some they may have to wait a whole season of the show to see any improvements, which by then they may have already lost interest in the show. Web series can be influenced a lot easier by audiences than something like a TV show, which I feel is part of what attracts audiences to online series’.
Much of the ideas behind our marketing and promoting, and audience influences has been guided by our research of pervious web series. Web shows like ‘The Guild’ have very similar marketing to our, they have all their videos on youtube and their own website, they have social networking sites, and merchandise. Through our research of this show and others like ‘Chad Vader’ and ‘Living With The Infidels’ I discovered that these are the main ways that web series work and achieve success.
Emailing KIDS LOVE LIES
When I decided on the theme song for the show and email the band 'Kids Love Lies' for permission to use their song 'Count In My Head' in the show. When they emailed me telling me that it was okay for us to use the song, they asked if once we had created the show, could I email them the links to the episode so they can watch what their song was put in.
So once we'd posted all 3 episodes on youtube, I email the Singer and Manager of Kids love Lies; Ellen, giving her the links to all three.
So once we'd posted all 3 episodes on youtube, I email the Singer and Manager of Kids love Lies; Ellen, giving her the links to all three.
Episode 4?
Although for the project we were only supposed to create 3 episode of the online series, as the fans seem to be enjoying the story lines and watching the show, we are considering making a 4th episode outside of class time and this could possibly lead to future episode if people continue to watch it.
Absense
Although my roles for the first and second episodes meant I was quite involved in some areas, I was not involved in the making or promoting of the 3 episode as I was not in class for the making of this episode, I was in America doing work experience for a TV show.
I was also not here for the audience feedback video.
I was also not here for the audience feedback video.
Audience Feedback Video
For feedback from the audience the group filmed some people that have seen the show and they were told to give there thoughts and opinions of Lines.
This is a better way of showing the feedback than just comments on the social networking sites, as this shows the audience and gets the audience to interact with one another.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Views from the first and second episode
These are the views we have had of the videos that shows us what countries people are watching it from.
This shows that the first episode had mainly views from UK but a few from countries such as Spain and USA, but the second episode only has views from UK, this shows that people from other countries watched the first episode to see what the show was but then were obviously not interested in watching any more episodes.
Feedback and Respone - Episode 2
Class feedback
Youtube comments and ratings
Compared to episode one this episode does not have as many; comments, ratings and views...
These are the comments
There are not as many comments on this episode compared to the first episode, and also there are as many positive, although some are positive, a lot are comments saying that they are finding it hard to like or get into the show, and some are complaining about the length of the show being to shot to get into it.
The are 4 rating with an average of 5 stars...which although there aren't as many rating is a high average rating than episode one.
Views...there aren't as many view for the second episode as there was for the first, which means that some people obviously watched episode one and didn't like it so didn't watch the next episode.
Over all although the video in my opinion is better than the first, some of the audience feels differently, the lenght of the show may need to be something we should think about, maybe people would be more interested if future episodes were a little longer, to give the audience more of the story at once, to keep them interested.
- A couple of interesting shots
- Strange narrative, cannot understand it (7 People mentioned this)
- Cuts well
- Characters work well
- Sound levels are high & low (5 people mentioned this)
- Taster bit / preview works well (3 people mentioned this)
- Too much in one content in one episode (2 people mentioned this)
- Good angles used
- Jumps too much
- Pointless shots used
- Confusing genre (comedy or drama?)
- Acting is not very good, could be better
- Spy could of been done better, e.g appears in the room like is the skeleton
- Silent moments ned sorting out
- Need quicker cuts
- Continuity works well
- 'Jaws' sound / music cuts in too suddenly & drops out to early
- Continuity with previous episode (costume, scripting) works well
- Elliot's character has been developed well
- Use of jaws music?
- Suddenly goes silent
- Much better editing than the 1st episode
- Add footage, where it goes black / silent?
- Like the taster for episode 3 at the end
Youtube comments and ratings
Compared to episode one this episode does not have as many; comments, ratings and views...
These are the comments
There are not as many comments on this episode compared to the first episode, and also there are as many positive, although some are positive, a lot are comments saying that they are finding it hard to like or get into the show, and some are complaining about the length of the show being to shot to get into it.
The are 4 rating with an average of 5 stars...which although there aren't as many rating is a high average rating than episode one.
Views...there aren't as many view for the second episode as there was for the first, which means that some people obviously watched episode one and didn't like it so didn't watch the next episode.
Over all although the video in my opinion is better than the first, some of the audience feels differently, the lenght of the show may need to be something we should think about, maybe people would be more interested if future episodes were a little longer, to give the audience more of the story at once, to keep them interested.
Teaser Trailers
For episode two and three we made teaser trailers to keep the audience interested and get them excited for the next episode, I seem to work by adding an eliment of antisipation to the series. It was also a way to advertise the show, along with the posters.
These are the teaser trailers...
These are the teaser trailers...
Episode 2
This is the video for episode two.
I think that this episode is quite a bit better than the first one, I feel the acting has definitely improved and the camera work is quite a bit better.
I think that with this episode we have taken a lot of the feedback into consideration and fixed a lot of things that were not right from the first episode.
This episode is also very close to the storyboards, although some shots are not exactly the same they are all very similar. This proves that my storyboards were useful to the people filming as they will have used them to get an idea of the shots.
I think that this episode is quite a bit better than the first one, I feel the acting has definitely improved and the camera work is quite a bit better.
I think that with this episode we have taken a lot of the feedback into consideration and fixed a lot of things that were not right from the first episode.
This episode is also very close to the storyboards, although some shots are not exactly the same they are all very similar. This proves that my storyboards were useful to the people filming as they will have used them to get an idea of the shots.
StoryBoards Episode 2
My job during the making of the second episode was once again to create storyboards.
I worked at the same table as Matt L, so that when I was drawing the storyboards he could have some influence on making sure that the images in the storyboards are the same as how he imagined them when creating the shot list.
The shot list that Matt L wrote...
I worked at the same table as Matt L, so that when I was drawing the storyboards he could have some influence on making sure that the images in the storyboards are the same as how he imagined them when creating the shot list.
The shot list that Matt L wrote...
1.(Narration) Black screen fade to Jake sitting on a table with the camera panning out to the rest of the detention room.
2.Quick slide shot from Jake to Zeke and Megan (mid shot) sitting at the back.
3.Quick cut to Seth’s head from the shoulders up camera is static as he paces.(seth says “i really shouldn’t be here”)
4.OVer the shoulder shot, from Megan, pointing at Zeke.(zeke says “here we go again....!”)
5. just after he speaks there is an over the shoulder shot ,from zeke, pointing at megan.
6. Back to seth pacing around. (“there’s this guy right, he’s everywhere, but then he’s nowhere”)
7. quick shots to Zeke and megan, whilst he is talking, looking dumbfounded/ bored.(any talking is the same as in shot 6)
8.Shot of agent point of view looking at seth who is at a vending machine
9.Over the shoulder of seth head turns to the right.
10.Camera changes to Seth’s point of view, moving swiftly around the room.
11.Panning shot from Seth’s feet going up.
12.Point of view of seth scanning the room at everyone
Long shot of him at vending machine, walks away looking over his shoulder
BACK AT DTR
Mid shot of seth, leaning against a wall, looking up like he’s day dreaming
Cuts to a long shot of everyone in detention looking at him
Cuts to long shot of Seth behind everyone in detention
cuts back to mid shot of seth, snaps out of day dream, stands up straight, and says “What!?”
Cuts back to long shot of everyone in detention, they are all looking at each other in confusion.
Cuts again to seth, sighing, his head turns to the right,
Mid shot of door, Agents head in the window
Cuts to view of agent looking into the room. Seth points
Cuts to long shot of seth behind everyone in detention again, seth is still pointing he says “ LOOK! THERE HE IS!’
Cuts to everyone trying to look out the window
Cuts to Megan who looks at seth - “Why don’t i believe you?”
Cut’s to behind Zeke who is looking at Seth - “Yeh, I think you’re just making it all up”
Cuts to a mid shot of seth, looking astonished at the fact nobody believes him
long shot of seth with his arms out “Why don’t you believe me guys? I am telling the Truth!”
Close up of Megan “ Yeh Whatever”
Cuts to empty seat of Taylor’s. Megan in the background “Hey, anyone see where taylor went?”
Cuts to a mid shot of door, Katie bursts in “WHERE IS HE!?”
Over the shoulder of Katie looking at Jake “Where’s who?”
Mid shot of Katie “TAYLOR! My Boyfriend!”
Close up of Jake Smirking “Nope. No idea where he is.”
Cuts to long shot of katie stomping off and slamming the door behind her.
Cuts to a long shot of megan “Probably hiding from her, Smart guy. HARHARHAR”
Mid shot of Zeke “ My Mate had a girlfriend like that once.”
Mid shot of Megan “What’s up with this ‘mate’ of yours, you never shut up about him’
FFFLLLAASSHHHBBBAACCCKKKK
Zeke in normal clothes - Leaning against outside wall. at night!
Long shot of ‘Mate’ Walking down and leans next to Zeke against the wall.
Mid shot of the pair, Mate puts hand on Zeke’s shoulder “Dude, you still alright to look after my booze for tonight yeh?!
slightly to the side of Zeke Pushes Mates hand off his shoulder “I’m fed up with having to cover for you all the time”
Side of Mate - Pats Zeke on the back - “Cheers Mate, you’re the best.”
Mid shot straight on of Zeke, He looks down, and sighs, then walks off.
BACK TO DETENTION ROOM
Long shot of everyone, Megan has her feet up on the desk again, Seth now sat down but facing away from everyone, Jake just sitting looking fed up.
Mid shot of Jake slamming his hands on the table and stands up
long shot Cuts behind jake walking towards the door.
Mid shot, Jake turns round “ You guys are all nuts”
Close up door handle, Jake starts to open it.
back to mid shot, Jake walks out, then comes back in and says “You know that right?”
Cuts to long shot of whole room
back to mid shot, Jake shakes his head and storms out, slamming the door behind him”.
These are my storyboards...
2.Quick slide shot from Jake to Zeke and Megan (mid shot) sitting at the back.
3.Quick cut to Seth’s head from the shoulders up camera is static as he paces.(seth says “i really shouldn’t be here”)
4.OVer the shoulder shot, from Megan, pointing at Zeke.(zeke says “here we go again....!”)
5. just after he speaks there is an over the shoulder shot ,from zeke, pointing at megan.
6. Back to seth pacing around. (“there’s this guy right, he’s everywhere, but then he’s nowhere”)
7. quick shots to Zeke and megan, whilst he is talking, looking dumbfounded/ bored.(any talking is the same as in shot 6)
8.Shot of agent point of view looking at seth who is at a vending machine
9.Over the shoulder of seth head turns to the right.
10.Camera changes to Seth’s point of view, moving swiftly around the room.
11.Panning shot from Seth’s feet going up.
12.Point of view of seth scanning the room at everyone
Long shot of him at vending machine, walks away looking over his shoulder
BACK AT DTR
Mid shot of seth, leaning against a wall, looking up like he’s day dreaming
Cuts to a long shot of everyone in detention looking at him
Cuts to long shot of Seth behind everyone in detention
cuts back to mid shot of seth, snaps out of day dream, stands up straight, and says “What!?”
Cuts back to long shot of everyone in detention, they are all looking at each other in confusion.
Cuts again to seth, sighing, his head turns to the right,
Mid shot of door, Agents head in the window
Cuts to view of agent looking into the room. Seth points
Cuts to long shot of seth behind everyone in detention again, seth is still pointing he says “ LOOK! THERE HE IS!’
Cuts to everyone trying to look out the window
Cuts to Megan who looks at seth - “Why don’t i believe you?”
Cut’s to behind Zeke who is looking at Seth - “Yeh, I think you’re just making it all up”
Cuts to a mid shot of seth, looking astonished at the fact nobody believes him
long shot of seth with his arms out “Why don’t you believe me guys? I am telling the Truth!”
Close up of Megan “ Yeh Whatever”
Cuts to empty seat of Taylor’s. Megan in the background “Hey, anyone see where taylor went?”
Cuts to a mid shot of door, Katie bursts in “WHERE IS HE!?”
Over the shoulder of Katie looking at Jake “Where’s who?”
Mid shot of Katie “TAYLOR! My Boyfriend!”
Close up of Jake Smirking “Nope. No idea where he is.”
Cuts to long shot of katie stomping off and slamming the door behind her.
Cuts to a long shot of megan “Probably hiding from her, Smart guy. HARHARHAR”
Mid shot of Zeke “ My Mate had a girlfriend like that once.”
Mid shot of Megan “What’s up with this ‘mate’ of yours, you never shut up about him’
FFFLLLAASSHHHBBBAACCCKKKK
Zeke in normal clothes - Leaning against outside wall. at night!
Long shot of ‘Mate’ Walking down and leans next to Zeke against the wall.
Mid shot of the pair, Mate puts hand on Zeke’s shoulder “Dude, you still alright to look after my booze for tonight yeh?!
slightly to the side of Zeke Pushes Mates hand off his shoulder “I’m fed up with having to cover for you all the time”
Side of Mate - Pats Zeke on the back - “Cheers Mate, you’re the best.”
Mid shot straight on of Zeke, He looks down, and sighs, then walks off.
BACK TO DETENTION ROOM
Long shot of everyone, Megan has her feet up on the desk again, Seth now sat down but facing away from everyone, Jake just sitting looking fed up.
Mid shot of Jake slamming his hands on the table and stands up
long shot Cuts behind jake walking towards the door.
Mid shot, Jake turns round “ You guys are all nuts”
Close up door handle, Jake starts to open it.
back to mid shot, Jake walks out, then comes back in and says “You know that right?”
Cuts to long shot of whole room
back to mid shot, Jake shakes his head and storms out, slamming the door behind him”.
These are my storyboards...
Feedback and Respone - Episode 1
These are the comments and ratings from the viewers we have had on Youtube.
All of the comments on the first episode are quite positive, although some do mention a few things that could be improved; such as the acting. Quite a few of the comments say that they are going to continue to watch the series as more episode are made.
There have been 13 rating so far and the total average of the ratings so far is 4 and a half stars.
This will help us with the next episodes as we can now help the actors improve their acting by doing things like longer rehearsals and making sure they know exactly what they are doing.
Feedback from the rest of the class...
All of the comments on the first episode are quite positive, although some do mention a few things that could be improved; such as the acting. Quite a few of the comments say that they are going to continue to watch the series as more episode are made.
There have been 13 rating so far and the total average of the ratings so far is 4 and a half stars.
This will help us with the next episodes as we can now help the actors improve their acting by doing things like longer rehearsals and making sure they know exactly what they are doing.
Feedback from the rest of the class...
- Sound levels need improving (some bits louder than others)(Mentioned 5 times)
- CD films logo to long (Mentioned 4 times)
- Credits are to fast at the end (Mentioned 3 times)
- Poor acting
- Opening sequence is to repetitive
- Editing of the video is good & works well
- Nice logos, they look well made and effective to the audience
- Poorly recorded narration
- Inappropriate music used throughout the video (including the opening sequence)
- Camera work could be better
- Too many cuts
- Script is too basic
- Poor cuts used
- Poorly planned
- The actors need rehearsals before acting in next video as they don't seem very confident in the first episode (Mentioned 3 times)
- Catchy song works well (Mentioned 3 times)
- The stereotypes are not clearly shown in the 1st episode
- Need more close ups
- Need more core content
- Visual gags of skeleton work well
- Need more comedy rather than drama to make it more comedic
- Continuity issues need improving (Mentioned 3 times)
Feedback from Pete:
- When the character is holding the polos, there could of been a close up
- While I was watching the 1st episode, it felt as if I was in a theater, there needs to be more use of close ups and shot changes
- Voice over explaining each character works well, needs to be more narration
- Cut to show different characters
- More planning is needed prior to next shoot (rehearsals etc) to avoid bad acting
- High angle show works well, but panning shot doesn't work within the same shot
- Sound levels need improving / editing
Episode 1
This is the first episode of Lines,
I think you it looks quite good, although there are quite a few things that could be improved.
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