This is a lighthearted quiz with a salutary message.
Put your idea/synopsis/treatment/script to the test. Award points after answering each question.
Add up the total. Answers at the end.
1. What is the target audience?
12—35 3
18—35 2
Over 30 1
2. One of the leading roles is played by:
A recognisable international box office star 3
A recognisable international TV star is in the film 2
There is no recognisable star 1
3. Your production budget is:
less than $2.5 in 3
between $2.5 m and $5 m 2
over $5 m 1
4. The distributor is financially committed 3
The distributor is in place with a small financial commitment 2
There is no distributor at this stage 1
5. All rights and territories are available 3
Some rights and territories are available 2
Most of the rights and territories are pre-sold
6. Most rights and territories are pre-sold and the film is in profit before
production 3
Some rights are pre-sold to 50 per cent of budget 2
Very few rights and territories are pre-sold 1
7. The story has universality of theme and would have relevance to most audiences 3
The story should work well in most English-speaking territories 2
The story will have strong appeal to a smaller audience 1
8. The producer is willing to change the title and re-edit or re-shot sequences after the results of audience surveys 3
Some adjustments will be possible 2
No changes can be made 1
9. There are strong and logical reasons to indicate that the film will succeed in the US mainstream cinema 3
It has a reasonable chance 2
Its best release will be on the art circuit 1
10. The film is likely to receive a rating equivalent to M in Australia 3
The film is likely to be a G rating where most of the audience pay half price 2
The film is likely to receive an R certificate 1
11. It will be a box office hit in Australia 3
It will do average business in Australia 2
It will take careful handling in Australia
12. It is clear that the film will receive distribution advances in four other countries other than the US 3
Two other countries 2
It is not known at this stage I
13. The audience will care a lot about the leading characters and want them to win 3
The characters are appealing 2
The characters are not very appealing 1
14. The locations are pleasant 2
The locations are not an important element 1
15. The director is well known and audiences follow his/her films 3
The director is experienced in this film genre 2
The director is unknown 1
16. How successful at the box office was the precursor to the film? (i.e. you are now planning a sequel)
Very 3
Moderately 2
Not 1
17. Was the novel or other source of the screenplay a best-seller? 3
Did it achieve moderate sales? 2
Is it unpublished? 1
18. The title has been tested with a potential audience of the film:
and found to be very appealing/intriguing 3
There is some evidence that it will draw an audience 2
You like it 1
19. A hit song from the film will be playing on TV or radio just before the film’s release 3
The sound track will be available 2
Music will not be released 1
20. Does the film lend itself to merchandising or other promotional possibilities?
Yes 3
Not much 2
No 1
21. Is the film’s genre currently successful at the box office and do you expect that this genre will be just as successful in two years time?
Yes 3
Dont know 2
No 1
22. The film is set in the past or future 3
It will date slowly 2
It has contemporary relevance I
23. Can the film be re-released, e.g. children’s pictures every Christmas?
Yes 3
Maybe 2
No 1
24. Does the film lend itself to a release in the peak business period, e.g. Christmas, Easter?
Yes 3
Maybe 2
No 1
SCORES
66—72 If it’s that good someone would have already made it. Go back and answer the questions more realistically.
51—65 May I invest in your film?
35—50 The film has a reasonable chance. Have another look at the package. See if you can improve the film’s potential to earn income.
24—34 Don’t bankrupt your investors and yourself with this film.


taken from Film Business: A Handbook for Producers