Kevin Goetz, the founder and CEO of Screen Engine, has a new book out, How to Score in Hollywood: Secrets to Success in the Movie Business from Simon & Schuster’s Simon Element imprint.
Blending insider anecdotes, decades of experience and actionable advice, the motion picture research expert shows how creative instincts and data-driven decisions work hand-in-hand to shape hit films — and how every movie can be profitable when made and marketed for the right price.
The book explores the often-hidden strategies behind the movies that connect most deeply with
audiences and investors alike. Among Goetz’s key insights:
- How to recognize a big idea and develop it thoughtfully to set the foundation for success.
- How to define why a movie should exist — and what it uniquely brings to the marketplace.
- How to craft films with a specific audience in mind and align production and marketing
budgets to fit the potential. - How digital platforms have reshaped viewing habits and release strategies.
- How to manage genre-blending “feathered fish” films with clarity and confidence.
- How audience testing can guide filmmakers toward their best version of the movie.
Says Ynon Kreiz, chairman and CEO of Mattel, Inc. which was behind Barbie, Warner Bros. highest-grossing movie ever, Barbie, with $1.44 billion worldwide, “Kevin distills decades of wisdom into a powerful guide that blends artistic ambition with commercial strategy.”
Each weekend, Screen Engine’s PostTrak audience exits serve as the aorta of the theatrical business, filled with deep-dive data on various demos’ perceptions about a new feature release and its marketing. One of the valued metrics in any PostTrak report for a motion picture executive is PostTrak’s definite recommend; the more significantly north of 55% it is, generally the longer the legs of the movie.
