Movie Producer: Test screenings are an essential part of making a prof

Question

Movie Producer: Test screenings are an essential part of making a profitable movie; the test screenings allow us to identify scenes that the audience doesn't enjoy and cut those scenes from the movie.

Screenwriter: We should do away with test screenings altogether; making changes based on test screenings would destroy the artistic integrity of my film, and I want the masses to experience my artistic vision.

In the table below, identify which statement, if true, most seriously weakens the Movie Producer's argument, and which statement, if true, most seriously weakens the Screenwriter's argument.

thelonghalloween · Answer

A CR question masked as IR, but a easy one

Producer: Test screenings essential to remove non-enjoyed clippings
Screenwriter: Do away with that, as I want audience to experience my artistic vision

Many blockbuster movies include scenes that test audiences did not enjoy
 This weakens Producer's position.

A movie that is released without test screenings is likely to have a very limited run.
 This weakens Screenwriter's position.

Bhavita. · Answer

How does movie released without test screenings is likely to have a very limited run weaken the Screen writer argument. Moreover I feel any new info that tells or that lies along the reasoning that test screening actually doesnt result in making of any changes would weaken the conclusion

Harshit4232 · Answer

Since the screenwriter wants his artistic vision to be experienced by 'masses', a limited run without test screening will hamper SWs goal of reaching to the masses, hence weakens his argument.

Vibhatu · Answer

"Test screenings are not the only method for evaluating the potential success of a movie." why cant be this for weakening Producer's position.?
someone please explain. Thanks in advance!!

cheshire · Answer

Why "Test screenings are not the only method for evaluating the potential success of a movie" does  not  most seriously weaken the Movie Producer's argument: 
-The Movie Producer claims that test screenings are  essential  because they help identify and remove scenes the audience doesn’t enjoy, which makes the movie more profitable.
-The statement only says that  other methods  exist—it doesn’t prove that test screenings are  not effective  or  not needed . So it doesn’t directly challenge the idea that test screenings are crucial for profitability.

Why "Many blockbuster movies include scenes that test audiences did not enjoy"  does  most seriously weaken the Movie Producer’s argument:
-This directly undermines the producer's claim. If test audiences dislike certain scenes, but those scenes remain in successful blockbuster movies, it suggests that removing such scenes (based on test screenings) may  not  be necessary for making a profitable film.
-That strikes at the heart of the Producer’s argument and weakens it more seriously.

ahddhah · Answer

is it right to assume that blockbuster movie is profitable movie

ShubhadeepB · Answer

Definitely, a blockbuster movie is always a commercially successful movie.

Pranavsawant · Answer

Test screenings can also be used to determine which scenes from the movie should be featured in the movie's trailer.

Doesn't this also weaken the SW's argument? The SW seems to be more concerned about the artistic integrity rather than profitability and argues that test screenings SHOULD BE DONE AWAY ALTOGETHER. This options provides a valuable use case of test screenings and hence directly counters his main argument: to do away with test screenings altogether.

Whereas a movie with a very limited run can also reach the masses (let's say it becomes very popular by the President of that country endorsing the film)

bb 
 KarishmaB

cheshire · Answer

A movie with a "limited run" is defined as a film released in under 600 theaters. Studio's are inclined to do this when the movie isn't predicted to perform well. Without test screenings, it is likely very few people will view the movie and therefore doesn't fulfill the SW's desire for the film to be seen by the "masses." Also, you pointed out the the SW is concerned about his artistic vision, wouldn't it make sense that he would want to make it according to his ideas rather than that of the test screening? We aren't trying to argue that test screening has multiple use cases, we already know that, instead we want to prove that a test screening is required for the SW to get his film viewed by the masses.

Pranavsawant · Answer

You don't counter my argument at all. First of all, the definition of a limited run is not given in the passage and hence we cannot assume any such predefined knowledge. Secondly, like I said, just because it has a limited run doesn't mean that it was not shown to the masses. A movie running for 10 days can reach a million people but a movie running for a 100 days can barely reach a thousand people. Just because it has a limited run doesn't necessarily imply that it didn't reach the masses. Moreover, the bigger argument is that the SW wants to get rid of it altogether. However, if it does have some benefit after all, then that does weaken his claim.

cheshire · Answer

"Test screenings can also be used to determine which scenes from the movie should be featured in the movie's trailer."

This is the answer choice you are arguing. We have no context whether utilizing test screenings for movie trailers is beneficial or not. We only know that this option violates the SW's artistic integrity as the trailer would be catered to the test screening results. Had this choice said "movie trailers that utilized test screenings to decide featured scenes attracted more viewers on release" it would be arguable. But as it stands, this choice provides no benefit and doesn't counter his argument. On the other hand, "a  movie that is released without test screenings is likely to have a very limited run" does counter it. A movie with a "very limited run" is  guaranteed  to be released in  very few theaters  for a  very short amount of time  making it nearly impossible for a large amount of people to view it. You argue this doesn't matter though, because a miracle will occur and the president will endorse the film. When selecting answers, I wouldn't base them in .1%, niche, or highly unusual situations that contrast status quo.

manish8242 · Answer

I marked D for Part 1. It says some audience do not like any scene while other like total scenes. So this means this method can't be reliable. That's why i marked this and prefered over A option . Can you clear the thinking logic?

Bunuel · Answer

A is stronger. D only shows taste varies; the producer can say they aggregate across groups, so D doesn’t touch “essential for profitability.” A shows blockbusters stayed profitable without cutting disliked scenes, directly breaking the “essential” claim.

autemitaque · Answer

why is "  A movie that is released without test screenings is likely to have a very limited run." is right instead of the last option for Screenwriter?

Bunuel · Answer

Screenwriter says two things: kill screenings and let the masses see his vision. “Likely limited run without screenings” wrecks his second goal, so it directly weakens him.

The trailer statement doesn’t weaken him. It only says screenings can help marketing; it says nothing about harming integrity or reducing audience, so his claim stands.

Gaurav015 · Answer

It's a good question to ponder upon. 
In my first attempt, I chose C for part 1, even though I was 50/50 between A and C. In the second attempt, I chose A because the movie producer is concerned only about economic success, while C talks about success in general. If we focus solely on the economic part, then A is the only viable option, which attacks the conclusion.

For the 2nd part, the answer is B because the SW wants his movies to reach the wider audience, and if something lets it stay limited, then it weakens the screenwriter conclusion.
Hence A & B

Movie Producer: Test screenings are an essential part of making a prof

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

Movie Producer	Screenwriter	Statements
		Many blockbuster movies include scenes that test audiences did not enjoy.
		A movie that is released without test screenings is likely to have a very limited run.
		Test screenings are not the only method for evaluating the potential success of a movie.
		Some test screening audiences do not enjoy any scenes of a movie, while others enjoy almost every scene.
		Test screenings can also be used to determine which scenes from the movie should be featured in the movie's trailer.

Movie Producer	Screenwriter	Statements
		Many blockbuster movies include scenes that test audiences did not enjoy.
		A movie that is released without test screenings is likely to have a very limited run.
		Test screenings are not the only method for evaluating the potential success of a movie.
		Some test screening audiences do not enjoy any scenes of a movie, while others enjoy almost every scene.
		Test screenings can also be used to determine which scenes from the movie should be featured in the movie's trailer.

GMAT Two-part Analysis (TPA) Questions

Movie Producer: Test screenings are an essential part of making a prof

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards