Audience Feedback

Audience Feedback on Shaam

After sharing my film opening Shaam on YouTube and promoting it through Instagram, I created a Google Form to gather audience feedback. This allowed me to gain insight into how viewers perceived the film’s themes, cinematography, and emotional impact. Below is a breakdown of the responses I received:

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Audience Demographics

How old are you?

The majority of my audience consisted of younger viewers, particularly those in the 16-19 age range. This aligns with my expectations, as my film was promoted primarily on social media, where younger demographics are more active.

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How would you describe your familiarity with psychological films? (Scale of 1-5)

The responses indicate that most viewers were already accustomed to the psychological genre, which likely influenced how they interpreted Shaam.

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How engaging did you find Shaam? (1-5 stars)

This high rating suggests that the film successfully captured and maintained audience interest.

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What emotions did you feel while watching the film? (Multiple choice)

The dominant feelings of unease and fear show that the film effectively conveyed its psychological and suspenseful elements. The presence of emotions like guilt and sadness suggests that the film’s themes resonated with the audience.

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How well do you think the film conveyed its themes of morality, hypocrisy, and guilt? (Scale of 1-5)

Most viewers (80%) believed the film effectively communicated its central themes, which validates my approach to storytelling and symbolism.

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What did you think of the cinematography and visuals?

The responses were overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as:

• "Really steady and captivating."

• "The cinematography and visuals enhanced the psychological aspect of the film."

• "Eye-catching and engaging—could not look away from the screen."

• "Very well executed; it greatly aided the emotional and psychological impact."

• "The cinematography of Shaam relies on dim lighting, cool color tones, and slow camera movements to enhance the emotional depth of a scene."

• "The audio matched the cinematics perfectly, and the goat head scene gave me actual chills."

Overall, the cinematography was a highlight for many viewers, with multiple people praising its effectiveness in enhancing the film’s themes.

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Did the minimal dialogue enhance or hinder your understanding of the story? Why?

• Most viewers agreed that the minimal dialogue enhanced their understanding, with comments such as:

  • "It allowed the visuals and actions to convey emotions and themes more powerfully."

  • "It did not hinder comprehension; instead, it made the story feel more immersive and impactful."

  • "It focused attention on cinematography and character emotions."

  • "Show, don’t tell—this approach was a huge accomplishment for an aspiring filmmaker."

  • "For a film opening, minimal dialogue creates suspense and leaves viewers wanting more."

• A few viewers found some aspects unclear, particularly in the beginning or in relation to the shadowy figure.

This feedback reinforces that visual storytelling was a strong aspect of Shaam, although some minor clarity improvements could be considered.

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Symbolism Interpretation

What are your thoughts on the use of symbolism (e.g., the goat’s head, shadowy figure, etc.)?

• "It made me more curious and enthralled in the film."

• "The goat head symbolized sacrifice and added depth to the story."

• "10/10—symbolism adds an extra layer of engagement, making the audience actively interpret the film rather than passively watch it."

• "Creepy but effective in conveying the theme."

• "Excellent use of symbolism, especially the goat’s head indicating sacrifice."

These responses confirm that the use of symbolism was a compelling element that engaged viewers and deepened their understanding of the film’s message.

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Impact of the Ending

How effective was the ending? Did it leave an impact on you? (Scale of 1-5)

The majority of viewers (85%) found the ending impactful, which suggests that the film concluded on a strong note.

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What do you think the shadowy figure represents?

The most common interpretations included:

• Guilt: "His subconscious mind haunting him."

• The dead girl: "A physical representation of his guilt."

• Inner conscience: "His past reflecting back on him."

• Regret: "Baggage following him throughout the film."

• Fear of consequences: "A symbol of how honor killings are celebrated while those who oppose them suffer."

This feedback shows that the shadowy figure was widely interpreted as a manifestation of guilt and regret, aligning well with the film’s intended themes.

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Areas of Confusion and Suggested Changes

Was there anything confusing or unclear?

• Most viewers said no, but a few had questions about:

  • "What exactly happened?"

  • "Who the character at the end was?"

  • "The shot of the men sitting down."

If you could change or add one thing to the film, what would it be?

• Many viewers said they wouldn’t change anything, but a few suggested:

  • "Make certain shots a little brighter."

  • "Enhance the sound design with more foley elements."

  • "Slow down the ending rather than rushing it."

These minor suggestions could help refine the film while preserving its core impact.

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Would you recommend Shaam to others? Why or why not?

• Almost everyone said yes, citing reasons like:

  • "Captivating cinematography and deep concept."

  • "Engaging and meaningful."

  • "Leaves the audience wanting to know more."

  • "One of the most intriguing thriller/horror pieces of Pakistani media."

  • "A film that raises awareness about real societal issues."

This overwhelmingly positive response suggests that Shaam resonated with its audience and left a lasting impression.

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Final Thoughts

Any additional feedback or thoughts?

• "Highly impressed—can't wait to see what else you come up with!"

• "The movie looked so professional, I wouldn’t have guessed it was a student film."

• "Absolutely loved the song choice!"

• "Make more films!"

This feedback highlights that Shaam was well-received and has generated excitement for future projects.

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The audience feedback on Shaam was incredibly insightful and validating. Viewers appreciated the film’s cinematography, symbolism, and emotional depth, while minor areas for improvement were noted, such as lighting and sound design enhancements. Overall, the response indicates that Shaam successfully conveyed its themes and engaged its audience, making it a strong debut project.