In our childhood, we watched movies to enjoy ourselves in the cinema. We would discuss the movie with friends and family after watching it. We would watch the movie on satellite if we had missed it at the cinema. We never cared about the success of films. Even if we wanted to learn about their business, there was no way to find out the real verdict (except from a few film magazines).

Social media has sparked a lot more discussion and interest in the movie business. We want to see films featuring our favorite stars do exceptionally well. The heated debates about Brahmastra’s collection showed how the general public is obsessed with knowing the budget and the total group. The box office is closely monitored, and the commercial aspect of films is discussed as much as the quality.

The OTT revolution has changed the game in this area.

If a film is released on OTT directly (without a theatrical release), no data is available for the audience to analyze and dissect. The announcement of the release of the next seasons of TV shows can validate the success achieved by the previous seasons. However, the situation is more complicated in the case of films released directly via OTT. Social media applause is used to determine the success of these movies. Social media appreciation can eventually be misleading. The PR agencies for the film’s stakeholders can create a false impression about the success or failure. If Zara Hatke Zara Bachke had been released on an OTT platform, it would have sunk with no trace. It would not have received the validation that it ultimately got from its Box-Office numbers if it had been a direct OTT launch. Even a blockbuster such as Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which had a direct OTT launch, would have been compared with its prequel. It would be dismissed as a once-off watch that was nowhere near its prequel. There have been movies that were directly released on OTT and received rave reviews. However, they are now forgotten with a dismal TRP rating.

Social media is more appreciative of films that appeal to an elite and erudite audience than mass-produced films. It creates a false impression of what the audience likes. This illusion leads to niche films being released in theaters at a scale not commensurate with their expected returns. In the past two years, it has been the commercial, hard-core films such as Pathaan and KGF-2 that have made the most money, even though they may not appeal to intellectuals.

A silver lining in the social media manipulation is that attention is now being focused on the film’s merits. There are no more fan wars or discussions about how much the film earned. It brings back nostalgia for the old days when movies were watched to feel different emotions, not to see how much money they made.

 

Lead auditors: their roles and responsibilities in the industry

 

ISO lead auditors are crucial in third-party audits that assess compliance and effectiveness against ISO standards of management systems. The following are the main roles and responsibilities that ISO lead auditors have in a third-party audit:

1. ISO lead auditors plan the audit, defining scope, objectives, and audit criteria. They work with the auditee in order to establish the audit schedule and collect relevant documentation.

2. Lead auditors perform audits on-site and remotely to assess the organization’s compliance with ISO standards. They employ a structured and systematic approach to collect evidence and evaluate the effectiveness of management systems in meeting standard requirements.

3. ISO lead auditors have a responsibility to ensure effective communication during the audit process. They provide the auditee with information on the scope and purpose of the audit, give guidance on the audit requirements and ensure that communication is clear and concise during the audit.

4. Lead auditors evaluate the organization’s conformity with ISO standards. They identify any non-conformities and areas for improvement. They assess processes, procedures, and documentation to see if they comply with the standards.

5. Reporting: Lead auditors summarize findings in comprehensive audit reports, which include non-conformities and observations as well as opportunities for improvement. They make sure that the information is clear, accurate, and objective.

6. Follow-up and corrective action: ISO lead auditors can be involved in the follow-up process to verify that the auditee has taken the necessary measures to resolve identified nonconformities and improvement areas. They can conduct follow-up inspections to confirm that issues have been resolved.

7. Lead auditors must adhere to professional standards and ethical conduct. They must conform to ISO’s auditor guidelines and code of ethics, maintaining objectivity, confidentiality, and independence throughout the auditing process.

8. Continuous Improvement: ISO Lead auditors must constantly update their knowledge of ISO standards, audit methods, and auditing skills. They can participate in workshops, training sessions, and other professional development activities to improve their auditing abilities.

ISO lead auditors ensure the integrity and effectiveness of third-party audits. They provide organizations with valuable insight into their ISO compliance and areas for improvement.