I think test screening works at its best when the audience knows what it’s getting.
BARRY LEVINSONI think test screening works at its best when the audience knows what it’s getting.
BARRY LEVINSONNo one really has the power, and everybody’s trying to get through the day, and everybody’s nervous and desperate.
BARRY LEVINSONFirst of all, just to get Diner made would have been an achievement in that I got a chance to direct.
BARRY LEVINSONSome actors are supposed to be very difficult, but I’ve not found that to be the situation.
BARRY LEVINSONI never really wanted to be an actor. And that was the beginning of it, I began to write things down and eventually became a writer on a television show.
BARRY LEVINSONA lot of time mistakes are very interesting – you look for the behaviour that’s not the one you expect.
BARRY LEVINSONI think when Sarah Palin opened her mouth and started talking, the more she talked, the less appealing she became.
BARRY LEVINSONThey’re intimidating the networks and levying these fines, so the networks are not sure of what they can or can’t do.
BARRY LEVINSONIt’s always hard to explain why an audience ultimately responds to a movie.
BARRY LEVINSONI’ve had a lot of movies that didn’t get great numbers on test screening, but a lot of times the film was able to survive, or the studio still stayed and supported it.
BARRY LEVINSONAll I try to do is create an atmosphere that seems comfortable enough, that it removes tension and everyone feels free. If they feel free then behaviour happens, small moments happen and that’s what ultimately works the best for me.
BARRY LEVINSONYou don’t always have to have the ending, but you want to have a satisfactory conclusion.
BARRY LEVINSONCraig Nelson who is an actor and is in a show called Coach in the United States. We began to do some improvisational stuff and we used to get laughs and things.
BARRY LEVINSONThe interesting thing about movies, it’s not always – y’know, you have to have structure etc and all those things, but an audience responds, in many ways, we walk away and certain things stay in our heads that are memorable.
BARRY LEVINSONI worked at a local television station and I got a chance to direct and do all those things – worked kiddie shows, Ranger House show with the hand puppets and things like that.
BARRY LEVINSONYou have a movie and it proves itself and then certain things happen.
BARRY LEVINSON