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Quote by Barry Levinson

“I think test screening works at its best when the audience knows what it's getting.”

Author

Barry Levinson, born on April 6, 1942, is an accomplished American screenwriter known for his humor and insightful social commentary. His works, including 'Rain Man' and 'Goodfellas', are celebrated for their unique blend of comedy and profound social observations. Levinson's career began in the 1970s, and he has been recognized with multiple Academy Award nominations. more

“If you test Iron Man and that audience doesn't respond well, you can be damn sure that there is something wrong with the movie that you have to address. Because they're expecting a certain amount of action, right? They want a hero. There are certain things that have to be compatible with the way the audience is thinking about it. If you take some other film, like No Country for Old Men, you can end up with all kinds of crazy reactions.”

Thinking Men Kind Country Action Film Audience Crazy Hero All Kinds Old Man Expecting Iron Man

Author:Barry Levinson

“Different reactions while film test screening doesn't mean even the audience thinks ambiguity is a bad thing. But if you're asking them right away to start checking things off, they don't know what to do. I think at their best, it applies to when the audience knows what it is. Then, when they say, "Oh, well, I thought it was too boring in blah-blah-blah part," then you better pay attention to it. It's like going for the hamburger. Better be the good hamburger I went for.”

Thinking Mean Different Film Attention Audience Boring Pay Attention Ambiguity Oh Well

Author:Barry Levinson

“I don't know that you can do an absurdist film and just have everybody embrace it in terms of filling out cards. I just don't think it happens. So you have to prepare an audience.”

Thinking Film Term Audience Embrace

Author:Barry Levinson

“I'm emotionally invested in every movie that I do, period, because you've got to make that commitment. You're spending a year, 18 months of your life doing it. I'm invested in all those kinds of pieces. Most of the films I've had in my career have never tested well. I got lucky that sometimes I got supported by studios - or, at least if not supported, tolerated.”

Kind Sometimes Film Lucky Commitment

Author:Barry Levinson