Testing shows in front of audiences came to life when Entertainment became a business. Harold Lloyd is credited with inventing the concept, having used it as early as 1924. In the US, it’s become part of the production process and many renowned directors use it with passion.
Francis Ford Coppola used to add a personal note to the audience at his movies test screenings.
« The most constructive night of your life is the test screening. Test screenings are awful and miserable, but they will always teach you something about your movie that you really need to know»
Frank Darabont
Director of Green Mile or The Shawshank Redemption
« The goal of the film editing process is to turn an unedited film into 85 to 110 minutes of story that people are going to want to go and see. 99.9 times out of 100 the audience will speak louder than anybody else»
Tim Bevan
Producer of Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Love Actually…
In the US TV show industry, all pilot episodes made for networks and paid TV are tested.
Screening tests have influenced the most successful TV shows.
« Interestingly, one of the most prominent critiques lodged against the unaired pilot was that the relationship between Jaime and Cersei Lannister wasn’t clear enough. Early viewers didn’t understand they are brother and sister. »
David Benioff,
Producer of Game of Thrones.
Hathaway was originally supposed to die in the pilot episode of ER, but the character tested so well she was kept on.