|
Welcome Message
Right around this time last year, this newsletter looked at the art of accepting awards, using Kate Winslet and Sean Penn's winning Oscar speeches as examples. Taking a slightly different spin this year, we're going to take a look at the winning Oscar speeches (major acting and director categories only) and point out some public speaking "issues" noticed throughout the night.Oh, how I love the Oscars...
In other features, you are cordially invited (as always) to my upcoming speaking engagements in April and May. And please enjoy the photos from the " Where Was I Last Month?" feature, recounting time spent at McGill University, and time spent in the wild (and try to guess which is which!)
By the way, coaching by phone or Skype is now available -- so travelling and complex scheduling arrangements are no no longer necessary to improve your public speaking skills.
And finally, enjoy this month's new feature, "You've Got To See This!" -- a quick video that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
I truly value your comments, so please feel free to email me with your feedback, questions, and insights!
|
Date: April 13, 2010
Time: 7:30-9:00am
Place: 76 Cameron St., Hudson, QC
**************************
|
|
Customer Raves
Her students returned great praise about Suzannah in their evaluations, noting specifically her competence and preparedness, her careful attention in catering to individual needs, and her ability to create comfortable and entertaining environments to facilitate learning."
- Johanne O'Malley, Owner, WordCrafting
(formerly Program Coordinator at the McGill Post-Graduate Student Society)
|
|
Cool Quote
"It's quite simple. Say what you have to say and when you come to a sentence with a grammatical ending, sit down."
-- Winston Churchill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OSCAR TIME IS HERE AGAIN!
So the Oscars came and went, and with them, a flurry of beautiful people giving speeches. And while these beautiful people may have the talent to move us with their acting ability, not all are as talented to move us with their speeches.
As with every Oscar show from years past, some speeches inspire us, some make us laugh, and some focused only on thanking the academy, family, friends, agents, directors, producers, etc. (and therefore, just a bit on the boring side). So let's take a look at some of the major speeches, and what stood out in each of them. Then we'll finish off with a few other notable public speaking standouts from the evening -- both the good and the bad.
A beautiful, heartfelt speech that starts with Jeff looking up to the sky, thanking his parents for "turning him onto such a groovy profession," telling personal stories about how his parents used to make him and his siblings perform at family get-togethers, and fun time spent with his father. To be honest, one of my favorite parts of this speech video is when he giggles. My other favorite part is a tie between how he ends some of his sentences with "man" (ie. "I love you, man!"), and the love and affection he displays to his family. His personality seems to shine through. Watch Jeff Bridges' acceptance speech.
What poise, what sincerity, what class! Paying tribute to the  other nominees with a personal message to each one, poking fun at Meryl Streep and George Clooney, and using her time on stage to spread an inspiring message of thanks to the moms and parents for 'taking care of the children, no matter where they're from." Her touching tribute to her mother was really lovely, and would certainly have resulted in misting up a few eyes in the audience. Watch Sandra Bullock's acceptance speech.
When she first won her award, I wasn't sure if she might pass out from hyperventilation...but she held it together and gave warm and touching gratitude to her team. Her speech was a great reminder for speakers to remember to breathe. Giving a special thanks to the people of Jordan, as well as dedicating her award to the troops, was a perfectly appropriate and very well-received gesture. Watch Kathryn Bigelow's acceptance speech.
Some other notable moments from the evening:
-
Nominations of Best Actor/Actress: I loved how past Oscar winners were chosen to share their personal stories about the 2010 nominees. More than hearing about how talented/wonderful/warm/amazing the nominees are, it's so much more interesting to hear stories about the funny or silly things that they've done in the past.
- Miley, Miley, Miley: Trouble happens about 35 seconds into this clip, where Miley Cyrus flubs her lines, then stating: "We're both kinda nervous, it's our first time here." A few classic public speaking errors happen here. 1) Don't apologize to your audience if you mess up a line. Simply keep going, continue what you're supposed to say, and then finish. Much of the time, the audience doesn't give the flub a second thought -- but if you bring it up, you'll call attention to it needlessly. 2) Miley -- YOU made the error, not Amanda. So she doesn't need to share the blame for it. 3) I'm trying to stop picking on you, Miley, but seriously, stop slouching! A good speaker -- and actor -- pays attention to posture. Watch the clip.
-
Sam Worthington -- chewing gum? I couldn't find a video clip of this, but I could have sworn that Sam Worthington (Avatar) was chewing gum -- albeit discreetly -- while he was presenting an award with Jennifer Lopez. Please, speakers -- spit out the gum before you take the stage. No exceptions!
The Oscars ended late this year -- as always -- but it definitely had its moments worth staying up for.
|
COACHING VIA PHONE OR SKYPE NOW AVAILABLE!
Don't have time for a face-to-face meeting? Can't travel? No worries -- individual presentation skills and speech coaching is now available by phone or Skype! 
Most of the topics covered during in-person coaching meetings can be addressed over the phone. If you're interested in learning how this can help you, let's make an appointment for a free, [no-commitment] 30-minute consultation to see if there is a fit.
|
|
WHERE WAS I LAST MONTH?
McGill Student Leadership Program
I spent an evening with the ambitious students of the McGill Student Leadership Program, giving a "Public Speaking 101" workshop.
In Costa Rica!
No, that's not me without makeup -- it's one of the famous locals from the hotel where I stayed in the Gulf of Papagayo. Beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring scenery...and [mostly]friendly wildlife!
|
|
YOU'VE GOT TO SEE THIS!
Nothing to do with public speaking...but everything to do with putting a smile on your face!
Coca-Cola developed a video that would tie into its recently launched 'Open Happiness' global advertising campaign. The video features an unusual vending machine transformed to deliver small "doses" of happiness for unsuspecting college students. The video has been spreading like wildfire, reaching over 1.4 million people in three weeks. Watch the 2-minute video. | |
|
|
|
