Todd Garner (Producer) Shares Filmmaking Stories and More!

Don't Kill the Messenger with Movie Research Expert Kevin Goetz

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Kevin is joined by veteran producer and Hollywood creative executive, Todd Garner.
Todd Garner, Producer
Todd Garner, formerly the Disney co-head of production, emerged from one of the most turbulent periods in that studio's history and transitioned from executive to producer. He co-founded Revolution Studios and then started his own production company, Broken Road Productions. He has developed, overseen, executive produced, or produced more than 170 films for more than a dozen studios and streaming services, including 25 films & television shows under his banner.
The science and art of audience testing (4:51)
Todd and Kevin discuss some of the intricacies of audience testing. Kevin talks about what he calls the science and art of audience testing and moving the audience from simply liking a film to developing a love connection with it. Todd and Kevin both agree that it’s about more than just the numbers.
Todd’s journey (8:21)
Todd recounts his journey from doing sketch comedy in high school to studying art and economics in college to a job at a major bank, and how that led to working at the Arsenio Hall Show. He talks about how his combined business & art background provided the fertile ground for a career as a producer and creative executive.

Words of advice from Jerry Bruckheimer (21:57)
Kevin states how much he admires how Todd has both the creative and business sense to be such a prolific producer. Todd mentions one of the best pieces of advice he ever received from his mentor, Jerry Bruckheimer, who said “I just make movies for me.” Todd talks about how that has guided his decision making, and how he strives to be emotionally connected to his movies.
The business of movies (28:07)
Kevin and Todd discuss how movies are greenlit in the studio system and the economics of marketing and PR when dealing with a theatrical release versus a release on a streaming service. The pair discuss why comedies, particularly romantic comedies, are easier to produce on a streaming service. What follows is an insider’s perspective on the economic advantage the streaming services have over the Hollywood studios.
A wide range of mentors (36:44)
Kevin asks Todd about his mentors, and who he looks up to in the industry. Todd talks about filmmakers who influenced him like Howard Hawks and Mel Brooks. He then talks about mentors who he worked with like Jeffrey Katzenberg, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Adam Sandler.
Memorable audience screenings (45:16)
Kevin asks Todd about his most memorable audience screenings from the 500 or so they have worked on together. Todd talks about Kevin’s gift of analyzing what is going on behind the audience research numbers and improving the movie through the audience analysis. Todd relates a hilarious story from the Con Air test screening.
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Todd Garner
Producer: Kari Campano
For more information about Todd Garner’s upcoming projects:
Website: https://www.brokenroadproductions.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/todd_garner
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-producers-guide-todd-garner-hollywoods-elite/id1363232295
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
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