In order to see what audiences think of the Academy Awards, we decided the best course of action was to reach out to our friends, families, co-workers, and more to get their opinions on the Oscar race this year. While general audiences have no overlap with Academy membership, it’s nice to get some clarity where some people outside the #FilmTwitter space are landing on the films in contention and the Oscars overall.

Our latest Audience Audit comes from Janet from Fresno. She’s in her mid-sixties. We asked Janet about her thoughts on the Oscars telecast, Best Picture contenders and more!

Offscreen Central: Do you watch the Oscars each year?  
Janet: Years back I did, quit for many years, did watch last year, and actually had seen many of the movies.

Offscreen Central: Do you have any memories of the Oscars? A favorite speech or win? 
Janet: No, I feel like so much goes on that the awards shows all overlap and blur together.

Offscreen Central: Does it make a difference to you who the host of the Oscars is?
Janet: Yes, I don’t want to see political and lecturing about the world, I want to enjoy the moment and be in the moment, which I am sure many feel the same.

Offscreen Central: Jimmy Kimmel is the host of the Oscars this year; would that make you tune in? 
Janet: Nope, do not care for him AT ALL.

Offscreen Central: Do you think the Oscars need a host?
Janet: I think it would be nice to have various well meaning guidance as in any event, but I think a “no hosted” event could represent probably better then a vindictive host.

Offscreen Central: How long do you think the Oscars telecast is? If it was under 2 hours, would you watch the entire telecast? 
Janet: Four hours. Under two makes more sense.

Offscreen Central: Do you enjoy the performances of the Original Song nominees?
Janet: If I like the music and familiar with it, other wise no waste of time.

Offscreen Central: If your favorite actor was to present at the Oscars, would you tune in to the telecast? 
Janet: Possibly, not sure I have a favorite actor.  I just like good acting.

Offscreen Central: Of the Best Picture nominees for the year, which have you seen?
 Janet: The Holdovers, Barbie, Maestro.

Offscreen Central: For the films you haven’t seen, are you interested in seeing them now that they have received a Best Picture nomination? 
Janet: Yes

Offscreen Central: How would you rank the nominees you have seen? 
Janet: The Holdovers, Barbie, Maestro.

Offscreen Central: We had a historic Best Picture lineup with three films directed by women (Past Lives, Barbie, and Anatomy of a Fall) and two international films (The Zone of Interest and Anatomy of a Fall); do history-making nominations mean anything to you as a viewer? 
Janet: No.

Offscreen Central: What criteria do you think goes into nominating a film for Best Picture? 
Janet: I never thought about it. But I hope it is a fair and free analysis.

Offscreen Central: Best Picture is voted on in a preferential ballot; do you think all categories should be voted on like that? 
Janet: I am unsure what that is.

Offscreen Central: Do you have an idea of who is a frontrunner to win an acting Oscar? 
Janet: No.

Offscreen Central: Do you have people that you would prefer to see win an acting Oscar this year? 
Janet: Love Ryan Gosling, so unassuming and appreciative.

Offscreen Central: If you have a personal connection with an actor, would you be more likely to watch the Oscars to see if they win? 
Janet: Yes.

Offscreen Central: Would you seek out a film due to an Oscar win for a performance even if you are unfamiliar with the actor? 
Janet: No.

Offscreen Central: Aside from Best Picture and the acting categories, which awards do you care about most? 
Janet: I have no preferences, like seeing reactions of audience.

Offscreen Central: Barbie and Oppenheimer were cultural phenomenons on their own. Do you care if either of them win Oscars? 
Janet: Yes, either or.

Offscreen Central: How often did you go to the movie theater this past year? 
Janet: None.

Offscreen Central: What are some of your favorite movies that came out in 2023?
Janet: I enjoyed the three I listed, and would watch all three again.

Offscreen Central: If your favorite films are nominated, are you more likely to tune in?
Janet: Not sure.

Offscreen Central: There was some controversy surrounding Greta Gerwig not being nominated for Best Director, did you hear about this? Do you have any thoughts on this?
Janet:  I did hear, and I would take my cue from the snubbed person and how they proceed to react. I do not believe an award can be determining factor of someone’s genius.  And a solid grounded person would feel the same.

Offscreen Central: How do you hear about upcoming films usually? 
Janet: My brilliant daughter.

Offscreen Central: What 2024 films are you excited to see in theaters this year? 
Janet: I won’t know until my daughter tells me.