GUEST EDITORIAL: 6 Aspects of Movies That Are Affected by Data

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6 Aspects of Movies That Are Affected by Data

by Kevin Gardner

The process of making movies is highly complex, to say the least. Decisions need to be made at every turn. Since these decisions are so important, studios tend to use data to make informed decisions. This data can come in many forms, from movie scores to box office ratings. If you'd like to know more, here are six aspects of movies that are affected by data.

1. Premises

Data can have a substantial effect on even the premise of a movie. After all, changing times and trending topics tend to affect what audiences want to see. Therefore, producers often use data, sometimes through a data wrangling cheat sheet, to determine what premises to utilize. In some cases, this is influenced by taboo subjects. For instance, studios may be hesitant to discuss intense historical events or religion. In other cases, certain genres or storylines can become highly popular. For example, Twilight's success created an increase in vampire and werewolf movies. Whatever the reason, studios are more likely to approve popular and appropriate premises.

2. Directors

Choosing a director is a highly important task. No matter how detailed a script is, directors have the ability to completely shape a movie. Therefore, studios need to look at data to get the best director possible. One factor that's often considered is popularity. While actors are usually the main selling point for films, well-known directors can bring in large audiences. For instance, Stephen Spielberg movies rarely fail to be blockbusters. Studios may also consider the general demeanor and likeability of directors. Regardless of talent, the societal opinion of a director needs to be considered.

3. Actors

Actors are the faces of films, so choosing the right ones necessitates data. Similar to directors, actors may be chosen due to audience popularity. If the actor's movies tend to bring in large crowds, that person is more likely to be chosen. In this day and age, it's also important to consider societal status. If an actor is seen as problematic or even criminal, a studio is unlikely to become involved with that individual. Another factor that's considered is diversity. Films that have diverse actors, as well as creative teams, often enjoy appreciative crowds. 

4. Tone

The tone of a movie can be highly important, especially when a film covers difficult subjects. If the tone is just a bit off, it has the ability to alienate audience members. Oftentimes, this is an issue with comedies. Many comedies try to tackle intense subjects. For instance, comedian Mel Brooks is partly known for poking fun at Hitler. While this can be hilarious when done with the right tone, the wrong one can seriously affect ticket sales. Studios may use data to determine the success of various tones, specifically when these tones are combined with certain subjects.

5. Content

The actual content of movies is another factor that relies on data. Depending on the genre and intended rating of a film, along with the corresponding data, the content studios are willing to include may vary. For instance, a children's movie might only have a certain number of curse words or violent scenes. Even R or NC-17 rated movies may have limits, such as a specific amount of sexual content. This is why blockbusters, which cater to a wide array of audiences, rarely have a lot of offensive material. 

6. Effects

The effects in a movie can be a huge selling point, especially in films with large budgets. However, not all effects are received well. Therefore, a studio may look at the success various tech companies, some of which use service mesh, have achieved. Part of this concerns the exact type of effects. For example, many businesses create practical effects instead of CGI (computer-generated imagery). As long as it's done well, practical effects are often better received. However, a large-scale action film is generally expected to have impressive CGI.

Creating a well-received movie is often difficult. By using data, filmmakers can make informed decisions and avoid any costly mistakes.