Audience Perception of Music Videos

Link to survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDFOKvZfUkPiTFxuJTKspAjWR6ErJWPSib4z5pYwkBtSxtIw/viewform?usp=header

I conducted a survey asking teachers, friends, and family to share their thoughts on music videos, aiming to understand what makes people want to watch them and how they engage with this media form. The majority of respondents were aged 25+, and there was an equal balance of men and women, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives.

The survey revealed that most participants watch music videos only occasionally, suggesting that music videos are not a daily part of entertainment for everyone. Among the respondents, rock was the most popular genre, although a variety of tastes were represented, highlighting the need for music videos to appeal to broad audiences.

Many people said they enjoy music videos that tell a story the most, and that storytelling is also what makes them want to watch a video. This shows that people like music videos that have meaning, in order to connect and possibly relate with a good story, not just nice visuals. Interestingly, when asked about specific features such as dancing/performance, storyline, fashion/style, editing/effects, and location/scenery, each option received 20% of responses. This shows that audience preferences are diverse, that no single feature is more important than the others.

These results also relate to ideas about how audiences engage with media. According to Henry Jenkins and his theory of participatory culture, audiences are not just passive viewers but actively engage with content that interests them. In the context of music videos, this can mean connecting with the story, the visuals, or the overall atmosphere of the video.

Understanding this research will help guide my own production decisions. For my music video, I want to include a sense of narrative while also focusing on strong visuals, location, and editing. I hope to create a music video that feels engaging and relatable for my target audience.