Rotten Tomatoes Scores Are More Important Than You Think, According To A New Report
Rotten Tomatoes and the importance of movie director pitches
Rotten Tomatoes and the studio system have long been at odds
Have you ever wondered just how much impact Rotten Tomatoes scores have on the movie industry? Well, according to a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter, studio heads and movie producers are increasingly turning to Rotten Tomatoes scores when evaluating directors for high-profile movie projects. In fact, a poor cumulative critical score can even land a director in what the industry calls “director’s jail.”
In the past, “director’s jail” was reserved for directors whose films failed to recoup their budget, leading to a significant downturn in opportunities and resources for future projects. This could result in working with smaller budgets, taking on less high-profile work, or potentially being pushed out of major studio projects altogether. However, in today’s digital age, even young directors without an extensive track record may find themselves judged based on their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
According to insiders in the industry, Rotten Tomatoes scores have become a key factor in the pitching process for directors. As one anonymous representative highlighted, “Critical acclaim is now gamified. The Rotten Tomatoes score is the first thing people look at when I go pitch a director. It inevitably affects decision-making around hiring a director.” This sentiment was echoed by another anonymous studio executive who emphasized the importance of a director’s past work and their Rotten Tomatoes score in the hiring process.
The relationship between Hollywood and Rotten Tomatoes hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Reports have surfaced about the ease with which Rotten Tomatoes scores can be manipulated, leading to fluctuations in scores as reviews pour in over time. Some directors have openly expressed their concerns about the impact of Rotten Tomatoes ratings on the industry, with pre-release screenings being used to boost scores for promotional purposes.
While the landscape of Hollywood may be evolving, with prestige television and streaming platforms offering alternative avenues for directors, the influence of the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer remains significant. Whether a film lands a stellar 95% score or falls to the bottom with a 0%, studios continue to take these ratings seriously when making decisions about directorial assignments. In an industry where perception is key, a strong Rotten Tomatoes score can make all the difference in shaping a director’s career trajectory and opportunities in the competitive world of filmmaking.