Test Marketing Michael Moore

NY Times article (9/20/09) on Michael Moore and how he tests the effect of his movies:

“Although I’m trying to say things I want to say politically, I primarily want to make an entertaining movie,” he said. “If the art of the movie doesn’t work, the politics won’t get through.”

To make sure the politics do get through, Mr. Moore invokes the privileges of much-better-financed producers and does market research. Jim Czarnecki, a documentary filmmaker who has worked with Mr. Moore for years, remembers screening “Fahrenheit 9/11” on eight consecutive Tuesday nights for select audiences, gathering feedback and recutting the film.

“We discovered what was clear, not clear, what worked and what didn’t,” he said, adding, “Michael works hard to craft his movies for a large audience.”

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