As we read Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds, my Account Planning class has been challenged to think of ways to incorporate interesting and unique elements into our presentations. This week’s assignment was to find a documentary and analyze what strategies the filmmaker used to draw in viewers and keep them engaged.
I decided to watch Chasing Beauty, a documentary by director Brent Huff that gives viewers a peek inside the crazy world of modeling. The film explores the concept of beauty from a unique perspective. As a veteran watcher of America’s Next Top Model marathons, I have a [very shallow] interest in modeling and the fashion industry. I found the documentary to be fascinating, surprising, and norm-challenging.
The documentary begins with two rather shocking statistics:
My favorite aspect of the film was the director’s use of lots of different perspectives. Throughout the documentary, we catch up with three aspiring models and learn more about them and their progress. We also intermittently hear from the same people, who all offer unique perspectives on the modeling industry. The director doesn’t just talk to models, he talks to a former Miss America, two makeup artists, a stylist, a model scout, a plastic surgeon, and a model-turned-therapist. In this way, he explores an array of perspectives and opinions. There’s no “us vs. them” mentality to the film. Instead of only interviewing those who share his opinions about the industry, the director allows the viewer to see all sides of each story. I think that this kind of neutrality is something many documentaries lack.
The music also contributes to the effectiveness of the documentary. When the models talk about their eating disorders, dramatic music plays quietly in the background. When someone says something a little silly or more trivial, they are accompanied my quirky instrumentals. The film employs music to its full advantage and effectively toys with the viewer’s emotions.
So how does all of this relate to presenting?
I found several persuasive techniques throughout the film that I can hopefully incorporate into future presentations.
I decided to watch Chasing Beauty, a documentary by director Brent Huff that gives viewers a peek inside the crazy world of modeling. The film explores the concept of beauty from a unique perspective. As a veteran watcher of America’s Next Top Model marathons, I have a [very shallow] interest in modeling and the fashion industry. I found the documentary to be fascinating, surprising, and norm-challenging.
The documentary begins with two rather shocking statistics:
- 25% of young American women would rather win “America’s Next Top Model” than the Nobel Peace Prize
- 23% would rather lose their ability to read than their figures
My favorite aspect of the film was the director’s use of lots of different perspectives. Throughout the documentary, we catch up with three aspiring models and learn more about them and their progress. We also intermittently hear from the same people, who all offer unique perspectives on the modeling industry. The director doesn’t just talk to models, he talks to a former Miss America, two makeup artists, a stylist, a model scout, a plastic surgeon, and a model-turned-therapist. In this way, he explores an array of perspectives and opinions. There’s no “us vs. them” mentality to the film. Instead of only interviewing those who share his opinions about the industry, the director allows the viewer to see all sides of each story. I think that this kind of neutrality is something many documentaries lack.
The music also contributes to the effectiveness of the documentary. When the models talk about their eating disorders, dramatic music plays quietly in the background. When someone says something a little silly or more trivial, they are accompanied my quirky instrumentals. The film employs music to its full advantage and effectively toys with the viewer’s emotions.
So how does all of this relate to presenting?
I found several persuasive techniques throughout the film that I can hopefully incorporate into future presentations.
- Show ALL sides of a situation (but make sure your side is emphasized)
- Play to the right attitudes: dramatic topics should be presented in a dramatic way and funny things should be presented in a funny way
- Make it personal: here are some real people (they’re just like you!) who feel these real feelings (you feel them too!)
- End on a positive note: if the situation is dramatic, maybe don’t end with “yeah, isn’t that terrible?”
- Provide a solution! Maybe the situation is tragic, but give them hope.