Comments on: Test screening The Movie http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie A ton of useful information about screenwriting. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:28:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Michael http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-17324 Michael Sun, 10 Sep 2006 05:37:54 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-17324 <p>Hire them, pay them, and make them sign non-disclosure agreements. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.</p> Hire them, pay them, and make them sign non-disclosure agreements. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

]]> By: Drew http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16699 Drew Mon, 28 Aug 2006 22:01:16 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16699 <p>John... you know what's working. It's the dialogue and scenes that may or may not work that need testing. Granted, some scenes can't stand alone. But a lot can. Test bits and pieces with different audiences. The project is safe and you'll have at least some answers.</p> John… you know what’s working. It’s the dialogue and scenes that may or may not work that need testing. Granted, some scenes can’t stand alone. But a lot can. Test bits and pieces with different audiences. The project is safe and you’ll have at least some answers.

]]> By: Heather http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16500 Heather Thu, 24 Aug 2006 02:00:43 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16500 <p>Oooh Oooh I'll sign up to watch and critique. I am on the non-production side of the industry. I've watched a zillion movies and am very picky about what I see. ((((Ie - was it just me??? or did Van Helsing make you want to cringe? I loved the visuals...I just wish everyone would have kept their mouth's shut. Every line was an over-used cliche.))))</p> <p>Anyways if you don't pick me - good luck! I will check back to see what you are up to later. BEST!!! Heather</p> Oooh Oooh I’ll sign up to watch and critique. I am on the non-production side of the industry. I’ve watched a zillion movies and am very picky about what I see. ((((Ie – was it just me??? or did Van Helsing make you want to cringe? I loved the visuals…I just wish everyone would have kept their mouth’s shut. Every line was an over-used cliche.))))

Anyways if you don’t pick me – good luck! I will check back to see what you are up to later. BEST!!! Heather

]]> By: jdigdug http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16452 jdigdug Tue, 22 Aug 2006 23:28:58 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16452 <p>Would it be possible to have everyone sign a confidentiality agreement...? Has that ever been done? I know it would be difficult to enforce, but thats one of the reasons you have an attorney, right :-)</p> Would it be possible to have everyone sign a confidentiality agreement…? Has that ever been done? I know it would be difficult to enforce, but thats one of the reasons you have an attorney, right :-)

]]> By: J.K. Howell http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16406 J.K. Howell Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:43:53 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16406 <p>I'm a Seattle area film student and a member of the Seattle International Film Festival. Every year we have a secret film festival where members have to sign NDAs before viewing a screening - though that pretty much requires a spring time frame.</p> <p>We also regularly have Members Only screenings of upcoming films. I've never had to sign an NDA for those, but it's conceivable that something could be set up. There's a web presence at http://seattlefilm.org for contact info. (I don't actually represent SIFF, and have no vested interest other than wanting to attend such a screening.)</p> <p>Of course, that'd mean you'd have to take your screening up to Seattle. Personally, I think it's worth the trip. Oh, but bring about $14 in cash so you can grab a cup of coffee.</p> I’m a Seattle area film student and a member of the Seattle International Film Festival. Every year we have a secret film festival where members have to sign NDAs before viewing a screening – though that pretty much requires a spring time frame.

We also regularly have Members Only screenings of upcoming films. I’ve never had to sign an NDA for those, but it’s conceivable that something could be set up. There’s a web presence at http://seattlefilm.org for contact info. (I don’t actually represent SIFF, and have no vested interest other than wanting to attend such a screening.)

Of course, that’d mean you’d have to take your screening up to Seattle. Personally, I think it’s worth the trip. Oh, but bring about $14 in cash so you can grab a cup of coffee.

]]> By: John Parker Sullivan http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16347 John Parker Sullivan Sat, 19 Aug 2006 02:24:53 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16347 <p>Truly neutral feedback, although ideal, is very rare. So, I try to filter the feedback I get. I have a few people that I trust to be honest with me about their opinions, as I'm sure you do. Treasure them. It doesn't mean that I change something based on what they've said. But it reinforces my resolve about the certain part he or she didn't like or liked for whatever reason. And that helps me. Someone who was not involved in making the movie, but whom you can discuss it with, or even argue about it with sometimes. Someone who's not going to benefit financially or professionally by currying to your favor. In any case, trust yourself and your vision and be open to all the feedback possible. Take all the feedback you can get, even if it's not 'neutral'. It will strengthen your resolve about the choices you made and will make in the future about your film and your future films. Finally, try not to worry too much. Trust your instincts. Ultimately, it will all work out for the best. cheers, j</p> Truly neutral feedback, although ideal, is very rare. So, I try to filter the feedback I get. I have a few people that I trust to be honest with me about their opinions, as I’m sure you do. Treasure them. It doesn’t mean that I change something based on what they’ve said. But it reinforces my resolve about the certain part he or she didn’t like or liked for whatever reason. And that helps me. Someone who was not involved in making the movie, but whom you can discuss it with, or even argue about it with sometimes. Someone who’s not going to benefit financially or professionally by currying to your favor. In any case, trust yourself and your vision and be open to all the feedback possible. Take all the feedback you can get, even if it’s not ‘neutral’. It will strengthen your resolve about the choices you made and will make in the future about your film and your future films. Finally, try not to worry too much. Trust your instincts. Ultimately, it will all work out for the best. cheers, j

]]> By: Josh http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16343 Josh Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:17:53 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16343 <p>Is 'The Movie' the untitled john august project on imdb. Because if it is then the only actor I recognised was Ryan Reynolds (comedy factor? Haven't seen him in any other role really). Oh and Dakota Fanning's little sister probably raised on the same talent juice as her sister. So I say go for it and let the people see Officer Cooper in action :)</p> Is ‘The Movie’ the untitled john august project on imdb. Because if it is then the only actor I recognised was Ryan Reynolds (comedy factor? Haven’t seen him in any other role really). Oh and Dakota Fanning’s little sister probably raised on the same talent juice as her sister. So I say go for it and let the people see Officer Cooper in action :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16330 Anonymous Fri, 18 Aug 2006 15:16:31 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16330 <p>I've sat in test screenings with friends' films. And you never give a fully honest, frank comment. Nor should you. You're friends. You're acquaintances. You're professional collegues. I wouldn't be brutally frank with a stranger. But walking out of a theatre with no director within earshot, I'll happily tear the film apart and insist the director should never work again. You just can't rely on friends' comments. They will definitely try hard to give you good ideas. Probably harder than a stranger, because they want you to succeed (succeed more in your case). But they won't tell you what they REALLY thought. Ever. closest you can get to that is anonymous mail-ins. I think you're going to have to bite the bullet and find at least 50 strangers willing to sign a one-page non-disclosure agreement (for what it's worth) and get them to fill in their comments anonymously.</p> I’ve sat in test screenings with friends’ films. And you never give a fully honest, frank comment. Nor should you. You’re friends. You’re acquaintances. You’re professional collegues. I wouldn’t be brutally frank with a stranger. But walking out of a theatre with no director within earshot, I’ll happily tear the film apart and insist the director should never work again. You just can’t rely on friends’ comments. They will definitely try hard to give you good ideas. Probably harder than a stranger, because they want you to succeed (succeed more in your case). But they won’t tell you what they REALLY thought. Ever. closest you can get to that is anonymous mail-ins. I think you’re going to have to bite the bullet and find at least 50 strangers willing to sign a one-page non-disclosure agreement (for what it’s worth) and get them to fill in their comments anonymously.

]]> By: Justin http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16239 Justin Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:06:42 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16239 <p>Why dont you just test it at a college like UCLA or USC? For that matter, if you wanted to avoid LA in general, test it at somewhere like Boston College.</p> <p>Just have the school set up an auditorium, for a free test screening with feedback. Don't give any info on who wrote it, produced, stars in,..etc... just give a brief description of the movie and what its about, and let those students check it out..</p> <p>you could probably do that at a few schools without it leaking.. just never give the title of the movie...granted.. it would only be targetting the college aged people.. unless faculty voiced their opinions as well.</p> <p>just my 2 cents, since you've donated about 2 grand in your 2 cents on here weekly... </p> <p>-Justin Alan Hammond</p> Why dont you just test it at a college like UCLA or USC? For that matter, if you wanted to avoid LA in general, test it at somewhere like Boston College.

Just have the school set up an auditorium, for a free test screening with feedback. Don’t give any info on who wrote it, produced, stars in,..etc… just give a brief description of the movie and what its about, and let those students check it out..

you could probably do that at a few schools without it leaking.. just never give the title of the movie…granted.. it would only be targetting the college aged people.. unless faculty voiced their opinions as well.

just my 2 cents, since you’ve donated about 2 grand in your 2 cents on here weekly…

-Justin Alan Hammond

]]> By: FunkyPink http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16222 FunkyPink Wed, 16 Aug 2006 16:35:48 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16222 <p>I don't think anyone really gives a crap about a few people's opinions/spoilers of an unfinished film unless it holds cult status or something... like Spiderman 3 hehe.</p> <p>If you're hoping to get distribution then that will surely come from how well it's received in it's finished form at the festivals -- and not the opinions of 100 people and their little internet buzz.</p> <p>You can't hide it forever because of a few twists and turns, eventually someone other than crew and friends/family will see The Movie and then it will be talked about before distribution comes along anyway... right?</p> <p>x</p> I don’t think anyone really gives a crap about a few people’s opinions/spoilers of an unfinished film unless it holds cult status or something… like Spiderman 3 hehe.

If you’re hoping to get distribution then that will surely come from how well it’s received in it’s finished form at the festivals — and not the opinions of 100 people and their little internet buzz.

You can’t hide it forever because of a few twists and turns, eventually someone other than crew and friends/family will see The Movie and then it will be talked about before distribution comes along anyway… right?

x

]]> By: Sabine http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie/comment-page-2#comment-16114 Sabine Mon, 14 Aug 2006 14:59:57 +0000 http://johnaugust.com/archives/2006/test-screening-the-movie#comment-16114 <p>John,</p> <p>Bring your film to my school. We'll fill (or half fill - your choice) the theatre with students and faculty. Bring it yourself or send a DVD and some cards. We have a small student body but the kids are very diverse. They range in age from 20-40. They are all above-average smart or better. We're not anywhere near LA, but more importantly, we do test screenings of some of our films for faculty audiences and random community members. The students understand the value and they want to help. Plus it would just be cool.</p> John,

Bring your film to my school. We’ll fill (or half fill – your choice) the theatre with students and faculty. Bring it yourself or send a DVD and some cards. We have a small student body but the kids are very diverse. They range in age from 20-40. They are all above-average smart or better. We’re not anywhere near LA, but more importantly, we do test screenings of some of our films for faculty audiences and random community members. The students understand the value and they want to help. Plus it would just be cool.

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