Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Strategist Kevin Goetz

Send Kevin a Text MessageKevin is joined 3-time Academy Award nominated & Emmy Award winning producer, Jason Blum in this re-released interview from earlier this year.  Jason is the founder & CEO of Blumhouse Productions, regarded as the driving force in the horror movie renaissance, and has produced over 150 movies and television series. He has been recognized by TIME magazine’s 100 list of the world’s most influential people and has appeared several times on Vanity Fair’s “New Establishment List.”Jason Blum, ProducerJason Blum has produced iconic franchises like Halloween, Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Happy Death Day, Sinister, among several others, and received Academy Award nominations for producing Whiplash, Get Out, and BlacKkKlansman. Jason is also a two-time Primetime Emmy Award-winning and a three-time Peabody Award-winning producer. More recently, Jason produced The Black Phone, and Halloween Ends.Scary Test Scores from Ouija and Halloween (5:17)Jason and Kevin discuss the Blumhouse movies with the biggest jump in scores following the audience test-screening process. They talk about Ouija and the original Halloween, and the massive jumps in scores after testing and reshooting.Scores vs. Feel and the testing issues with an entirely unique movie like Get Out (14:54)How does an audience respond to a movie that is unlike something they have never seen before? Kevin and Jason talk about audience testing for Get Out, and how the marketing, gut feeling, & test scores come into play with an unclassifiable film.How streaming has changed audience research and the movie-going experience (20:47)The global pandemic saw the rise of streaming services, and Kevin talks about the changes in audience research due to this rise. A fascinating discussion follows of what types of movies do well theatrically vs. streaming. Audience questions (32:13)Kevin fields questions from the audience including how much faith to put in the numbers that an audience gives verses the audience reaction, how many movie screenings before a film is released, and some insider stories from Kevin’s book, Audienceology, of how the audience research process led to massive DNA changes in some of the most well-known and loved movies in Hollywood.Testing an early version of Beauty and the Beast (38:02)Switching gears, Jason asks Kevin about audience testing and animated movies. Kevin recounts a story from Audienceology about audience testing for an early version of Beauty and the Beast. Join Kevin and his guest, producer Jason Blum, and learn how they successfully used audience screen testing to craft some of the most iconic horror franchises of all time. Listen in on a fascinating discussion of the future of theatrical movies in the streaming era, and enjoy some insider stories. Host: Kevin GoetzGuest: Jason BlumProducer:  Kari CampanoFor more information about JaFor more information about Kevin Goetz:- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com

Send Kevin a Text MessageKevin is joined by  the powerhouse filmmaking team of producer Kelly McCormick and director David Leitch to discuss, among other things, what makes their successful partnership work on megahits such as Deadpool 2, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Atomic Blonde, and Bullet Train.Kelly McCormick, ProducerKelly produced Atomic Blonde and executive produced Deadpool 2 and Hobbs & Shaw, among countless other films and television projects prior to establishing the production company 87North with David. Among her previous credits, Kelly served as Executive Vice President of Production and Acquisitions at Sierra Affinity where she packaged and produced Academy Award®-winning and nominated films such as Hell or High Water, Whiplash, Nightcrawler, and Manchester by The Sea.David Leitch, Producer and DirectorDavid directed the global hits Bullet Train, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Deadpool 2, and Atomic Blonde. He made his directorial debut co-directing John Wick, which he also produced, and subsequently served as executive producer on the sequels. David is also co-owner and co-founder of the award-winning, critically acclaimed stunt design company 87eleven Action Design with Chad Stahelski. Twists and turns in Atomic Blonde (4:51)The trio discuss some of the twists in the film Atomic Blonde, and how testing led to the film being changed to ensure that the audience bought in to some of the twists that Atomic Blonde took.From stuntman to director (14:15)David talks about how he got his start in the movies, going from a 3rd-grade teacher with a martial arts studio to directing some of the biggest action sequences of all time.Deadpool 2 and the Bake Off (18:08)Kevin talks about the screening process of Deadpool 2 with Kelly, who produced the film, and David, who directed it. They talk about how they both became involved with the movie, the mixture of irreverent comedy and heart that makes the Deadpool franchise successful, and the excellent screen test results of the film. They also delve into the “bake-off” concept in audience research where filmmakers can test different things with similar audiences.Making Bullet Train at the height of the pandemic (25:00)With Kelly as producer, and David as director, Bullet Train was made during the height of the pandemic. Listen to inside stories of what it was like working with the team to make this $100+ million blockbuster. Coming Soon (35:25)What’s next for Kelly and David? Here’s a taste -- action and Santa in the same movie.Host: Kevin GoetzGuest: Kelly McCormick and David LeitchProducer:  Kari CampanoFor more information about Kelly and David’s upcoming projects:Website: https://lnk.bio/87northaction/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.coFor more information about Kevin Goetz:- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com

Send Kevin a Text MessageKevin is joined by Andy Marx,  an award-winning writer and photographer, to share stories about old Hollywood, writing for Variety, and tales from growing up with Hollywood royalty.Andy Marx is a writer, producer, composer, musician, and an extraordinary artist & photographer. He is the grandson of famed television and film actor Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, and songwriter Gus Kahn whose hits include It Had to be You, Dream a Little Dream, and Makin’ Whoopee. Andy's  work has appeared in Variety, The Los Angeles Times, and Entertainment Weekly, among others. He is also the co-founder of the comedy website, Hollywood & Swine, and author of the book, Royalties, a multi-generational, historical romance is based on the lives of his grandfathers, Groucho Marx and  Gus Kahn. The start of audience testing and research from the perspective of a young journalist (3:46)Andy shares his fascination with audience testing, and the fascination with early box office returns in the 1980s among journalists and publicists. Andy and Kevin also touch on the earliest type of audience screening where stars like Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd would take comedic sequences to Hollywood Boulevard to test them with audiences.Growing up with Groucho (7:52)Andy discusses his childhood and his relationship with his grandfather, Groucho Marx. He shares inside stories about how he became, with a nudge from Jack Nicholson, the head archivist for Groucho’s hit show, You Bet Your Life.Audience test screening in early Hollywood (15:47)The Marx Brothers’ A Night at the Opera is one of the Marx Brothers’ all-time classic comedies. Andy tells an amazing story about how it had a terrible initial screening, but due to some brilliant behind the scenes maneuvering and a quick change of venue, the screening was saved. Andy and Kevin discuss the timeless lesson of the importance of screening with the right audience.Creative vision and the testing process (22:42)Kevin and Andy discuss how the Director’s creative vision can either hurt or help the audience testing process. They delve into the difference between modern-day movie blockbuster projects and how those differ from the old Hollywood studio system.Hollywood and Swine (36:36)Andy and his writing partner, Will McArdle, were responsible for the anonymous website, Hollywood and Swine, where they lampooned Hollywood with articles like Starbucks Bans Screenwriters From All 19,435 Locations Worldwide; Writers Guild of America Vows to Fight the Decision. Andy shares stories from writing parody, and how he doesn’t think he could get away with it today. It Had to be You (41:54)Andy sings and plays ukulele as he takes us out with one of his Grandfather Gus Kahn’s hits, It Had to be You.Join Kevin and his guest, Andy Marx, and learn about the history of Hollywood and audience research, and enjoy some insider stories on Kevin's poFor more information about Kevin Goetz:- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com

Send Kevin a Text MessageKevin is joined by the incredibly talented screenwriter, film producer, television producer, television director, film director, and former actor Dean Devlin to discuss filmmaking and his experiences with audience test screenings.Dean DevlinDean Devlin has produced and co-written some of the most successful feature films of all time -- Independence Day, Stargate, and Godzilla -- which collectively grossed more than 1.4 billion dollars worldwide. In May of 2001, he founded Electric Entertainment, where he serves as chairman and CEO.  Changing the DNA of the film, Stargate (2:00)Kevin and Dean jump right into the test screening for Stargate, and how they decided on a DNA change with that movie based on audience feedback that raised the testing numbers dramatically. They discuss the major changes to the film, which Kevin calls DNA changes, including film length, dialogue changes, pacing, and a pivotal change to the movie’s villain. They also discuss behind the scenes negotiations, and the push and pull with the studio to successfully make the changes they wanted. Dean Devlin partners with Roland Emmerich (6:08)Dean talks about his partnership with Roland Emmerich, and the way they started their working relationship, a relationship that would lead to some of the highest grossing movies of all time. Dean was acting in Roland’s first American film, when Dean asked to re-write some of his lines. Learn how this encounter led to their 12-year partnership.On not testing Godzilla (16:26)Dean was not able to test screen Godzilla, and he talks about what it was like watching that first screening at the back of the theater. Dean could see exactly what was wrong with the movie and talks about his frustration with knowing what was wrong, how to fix it, but not being able to do it. This was the last time Dean ever released something without testing it first.Independence Day (21:32)Dean and Kevin discuss how everything just fell into place with the movie Independence Day. From the audience cheers at the initial screen tests, to how the film changed Dean, to how a small change to a pivotal final scene brought the test score from a 92 to a 98.Testing and directing Geostorm (30:32)There are unique challenges that come from directing a film, and Dean goes into how the testing process differs from the perspective of a director versus that of a producer. Kevin and Dean discuss the heartache of knowing what needs to be changed in a movie based on the audience tests, but not being able to make those changes.Join Kevin and his guest, producer and director Dean Devlin, and learn how they successfully used audience screen testing to craft some of the highest grossing movies of all time, and enjoy some insider stories on Kevin's podcast, Don't Kill the Messenger!Host: Kevin GoetzGuest: Dean DevlinProducer:  Kari CampanoFor more information about Dean's upcoming projects:Website: https://www.electricentertainment.com/Facebook:  https://For more information about Kevin Goetz:- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com

Send Kevin a Text MessageKevin is joined by Oscar winning movie producer Graham King to discuss film producing, his experiences with audience test screenings,  making and testing Bohemian Rhapsody, and more. Graham King, ProducerGraham King is a four time Academy Award nominated producer, winning the award for The Departed.  He's been involved in the making of more than 50 movies, producing films including Tomb Raider, Gangs of New York, Argo, The Town, Blood Diamond, Hugo, and Bohemian Rhapsody.Getting his start in producing films (1:49) Graham shares how he gravitated towards the storytelling in films and how to capture the telling of these stories through the medium of film.  He has been especially drawn to true life stories and biopics.  Graham looks for characters that are larger than life and finds a way to humanize them on the screen.His first audience screening experience (3:48)Graham speaks of the influence of his earlier films working with Martin Scorsese and how he has shared his love of previewing movies.  It is critical to get the response from those who have no hidden agenda.  The audience is there to like the movies.  Graham believes that if you really want the truth you have to show it to those not in the industry with no personal agenda.Audience impact on his films (6:44)Bohemian Rhapsody was one of the top scoring films in preview and Graham discusses the decision to bring it to the big screen instead of streaming.  He shares the import of capturing the experience that Freddy Mercury provided of bringing joy to the masses in his concerts and how it was important to convey that sense when experiencing the film.About those who say screenings impede the process (13:01)Graham believes that screenings and audience input are absolutely crucial in producing the most successful films.  He believes that it is an irresponsible view to see audience input as an impediment.  Audience input has a significant impact on the film.  The screening process goes beyond just the cards and scores but rather the audience brings an energy when watching the film that is most useful when viewing.  Movie stories (29:15)Graham shares stories about the making of several of his films including The Town, Jersey Boys and his new film about the Bee Gees.  He discusses his responsibility in telling their stories in a way that pays respect and provides enjoyment.  These interesting tidbits give the listener little known aspects of the movie making process.Join Kevin and his guest, film producer Graham King and learn how they crack the code for playability success using audience screen testing and enjoy some insider stories on Kevin's podcast, Don't Kill the Messenger!Host: Kevin GoetzGuest: Graham King OBEProducer:  Kari CampanoFor more information about Graham's upcoming projects:Website: http://www.gk-films.com/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GKFilms?ref=tsTwitter:  For more information about Kevin Goetz:- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com