This podcast episode analyzes the role of audience testing in Hollywood movies, delving into the perspectives of filmmakers like Ron Howard and Francis Ford Coppola, who had mixed opinions on its effectiveness. It also explores the origins of the National Research Group (NRG) and its current dominance in audience testing. Furthermore, the episode examines the process of test screenings and how feedback from audience members influences the final cut of a movie, affecting elements such as comedy, violence, and story endings. It highlights notable examples of films where audience feedback led to significant changes, including alterations to the endings of iconic movies like Blade Runner and Sunset Boulevard.
