Reviewing the Process

Maybe Internet reviews of test previews will prompt studios to finally cease a dubious process where professionals abandon their instinct, knowledge, passion and art to appease the unenlightened, unskilled opinions of amateurs (“Test Screenings: The Net Effect,” by Richard Natale, Nov. 6).

Peter Stoner once said: “Collectively, the audience is always right; individually, they are always wrong.” If one does need a test screening, there should never be cards or focus groups, only filmmakers gauging audience reaction during the film.

But I’m for entirely chucking a system geared to reducing any artistic endeavor to the lowest common denominator. The artist tells the audience, the audience doesn’t tell the artist.

CHARLES EDWARD POGUE

Hollywood