In a recent interview with Movie Club/Behind the Screens on, movie research expert and author Kevin Goetz, discusses his newest book, Audience•ology, where the reader enters the world of show business and learns just how much real people impact the movies we see. Goetz’s company Screen Engine/ASI conducts audience test screenings to provide film makers with valuable insights in order to optimize a film’s success at the box office and his book is a tell-all, full of stories and insider tidbits. The book is a fascinating look into a part of the film industry which most of us are not aware of. To enjoy this fun filled and entertaining book order now!

Audience•ology

In Audience•ology, the latest book from Kevin Goetz, the reader learns how focus groups are conducted and shares details of how the audience can shape the final film. Filled with stories about films we are all familiar with, the book details the process involved and includes specifics that demonstrate just how important this process is to make a film the very best it can be.  The title, Audience•ology was chosen because this is a book about the unique influence that general moviegoing audiences have on filmmaking. Dubbed the Doctor of Audience•ology by a writer of the Los Angeles Times years ago, Goetz comes up with a prognosis for a film and provides a remedy based on the audience’s comments and reactions. He considers what he does is a balance of art and science. 

Audience Reactions

Audience•ology is filled with stories that truly show how the audience has provided information which can change the direction of a film. The reader learns about changes made due to audience reactions with such iconic movies such as Fatal Attraction, La La Land, Jaws, and Forrest Gump. Goetz discusses the importance of providing a fully satisfying experience for the viewer.  Using examples from the past like the story about Harold Lloyd, legendary filmmaker who in the 1920’s held a screening of a new comedy which featured an underwater comedic scene.  He learned that the audience felt too distracted by the technology being used that they could not relax and enjoy. Another example Goetz shares is about the ending of Fatal Attraction and how audience satisfaction or lack of, resulted in a change that helped make the film so successful.

Kevin Goetz’s Process

Speaking with Movie Club/Behind the Screens Kevin Goetz shares his process for conducting the research. Screen Engine/ASI holds screenings in a variety of markets where moviegoers are invited to view a film prior to final cut and share their thoughts about the movie and the overall experience.  Questionnaires are given to the entire audience and some members of that audience are also chosen for a focus group discussion following the film to delve deeper into their opinions and suggestions.  Goetz shares which comments are most important and how the audience’s reactions are observed and evaluated. This information is shared with the filmmakers so that the changes can be made to create the most successful film at the box office.

Prognosis for Movie Industry

Goetz shares his insights as to the future of feature films.  The industry is evolving due to a variety of factors including streaming services and home theaters.  Today more people are going to the movies but are seeing fewer movies in the theater.  But movies aren’t going anywhere.  A full movie theater experience is a great way to capture the magic for  many of today’s blockbusters, but streaming is a wonderful option to see many types of films as well.  The reader will be captivated by the stories about the movies and stars we know and love while learning about a little known area of the movie business that has produced so many of the changes made to the films that have become part of our world.

Audience•ology is a fun and interesting read about a fascinating aspect of the movie world that is available to buy now! 

Kevin Goetz, author and movie researcher for over thirty years, has recently been interviewed by Manny The Movie Guy (Manny de la Rosa). In this interview, Kevin and Manny discuss Goetz’s book Audience-ology, films of the past that were heavily influenced by audience testing, how COVID-19 has impacted the movie industry, and finally, their favorite movie experiences of 2021. Watch the full interview now on YouTube, or keep reading below for a summary of the discussion.

Audience-ology — A Memoir About Hollywood and Its Audience

Author Kevin Goetz’s book, Audience-ology: How Moviegoers Shape the Films We Love, discusses how final cuts of films are heavily influenced by audience research and testing. Goetz is the CEO and founder of Screen Engine/ASI, a market research company specializing in entertainment media. Among their full range of research services, the company conducts audience test movie screenings daily in California, New York, and across the country where audiences provide their feedback about movies while they are still in the editing stage. Audiences have a big impact on movie making! Read more about the concept of Audience-ology by purchasing your copy of Goetz’s book today.

How Movies Are Impacted By Audience Testing

Diving into Audience-ology as a concept, Kevin Goetz explains how films are heavily influenced by audience research and testing. He states that without this process, some of his favorite films would not have been the same! Kevin and Manny discuss movies, such as Hope Floats and La La Land, that were altered in significant ways due to adverse audience reactions during testing phases. Goetz goes on to say that this testing process is important in order to make sure that the film will be ultimately successful.

The Impact of Covid on the Movie Industry

Manny and Kevin move on to discuss how large of an impact COVID-19 has had on the movie industry. Kevin shares that COVID-19, “has accelerated the inevitable,” that audience testing was altered significantly due to the pandemic, and that this has had a ripple effect throughout the industry. Notably, movie theater attendance declined as well as the number of live audience members during the testing phases.

Favorite Movie Experiences of 2021

While Kevin and Manny discuss many of their favorite movies of 2021, in the end, it wasn’t about which movie was their number-one favorite, but rather the experience they had while watching them. Kevin mentions that while he loved watching CODA at home (as it aired solely on Apple TV+), he reflected on the fact that watching a movie on the “big screen” for the first time can really be an unforgettable experience. This, in turn, circles back to the concept of Audience-ology — Hollywood studios, through testing, will generally know which movies should have big theater releases and which may be just as impactful from one’s living room.

Watch the full Manny The Movie Guy interview with Kevin Goetz on YouTube now for more insights on the film industry, how movies are created with the help of audience members like you, and the future of cinema. Purchase your copy of Kevin Goetz’s book Audience-ology today.

Kevin Goetz, the founder of Screen Engine/ASI and an audience research veteran for more than thirty years, has been featured on The Nerd Daily. In this interview, Kevin discusses his Audience-ology approach to understanding movie audiences and how it’s helped him craft successful campaigns for some of the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood history. Visit The Nerd Daily to read the full interview now, and in the meantime, you can contact Kevin through his website.

Audience-Ology: Kevin Goetz’s Secret to Success

Kevin Goetz’s Audience-ology approach to movies is a huge reason cinema is what it is today. Audience-ology is a term Kevin coined to describe his unique methodology for understanding how different groups of people interact with movies. By studying audience reactions in detail, Kevin can develop targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with moviegoers.

What is The Nerd Daily, and Why Is It Important?

The Nerd Daily is a website written by fans, for fans. It’s a place where you can find the latest news and reviews on books, movies, television shows, and anything nerdy in between. With Kevin Goetz featured as the latest expert interviewee, The Nerd Daily is quickly becoming an authority on all things audience research-related.

Kevin Goetz’s Industry Influence

For more than thirty years, Kevin Goetz has been at the center of Hollywood’s movie research industry. His firm, Screen Engine/ASI, conducts research for a majority of all movies that are widely released in America and around the world. With decades of experience under his belt, Kevin has worked alongside all of the major film studios and he has worked with some of your favorite Hollywood stars!

The Nerd Daily and Kevin Goetz: A Perfect Combination

Kevin Goetz’s Audience-ology approach to understanding movie audiences is the key to his success. And what better place to learn about Kevin and Audience-ology than The Nerd Daily? Be sure to check out The Nerd Daily for the latest news and reviews on books, movies, television shows, and anything nerdy in between!

You can purchase Kevin’s book, Audience-ology, through his website! Purchase and order now, and enjoy learning about Kevin’s methods for making movies great.