Thursday, September 10, 2009
Creating An Impression
The goal of this assignment is to further deepen the knowledge acquired in class this semester in producing an effective speech presentation, please include the following criteria as a comment to this blog before our next class meeting on Thursday, Sept 17th Find a clip of a presenter (celebrity, athlete, politician, etc.) on Youtube or some other video outlet available to you on the Internet, and evaluate why you feel he or she makes an impact on you through his/her speech. You can use the feedback form you will be using to evaluate your peer's presentation next week as a reference for what to look for in this review. This presenter can be making a speech, giving an interview or in a film as a character who makes an impact on you. The clip should not be more than two minutes (it is just a small part of the whole presentation). Place the url address of the link in the blog for me and your peers to look at as they review your posting. Additionally, be prepared to share why you chose this person in our class meeting on Thursday. As stated, you can use Youtube, news site (CNN.com, msnbc.msn.com) live.com/video, TED Talks site or some other video sharing location on the web.
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I know that this may sound a little off putting, but hear me out...
An orator I admire, not as a person but as a public speaker, is Adolph Hitler. Let me state, right off the bat, that Hitler was a horrible, miserable example of a human being. He was evil and maniacal and all the horrible things that the history books have to say about him. That being said, he was also an awe inspiring public speaker.
At the bottom of this post is link to one of his speeches given to a Hitler Youth Brigade. It's a little long, but exemplifies his style and delivery. Hitler had a direct bead on his audience, the people of Germany. At the time of Hitler's rise to power, these people were still reeling from a crippling defeat in WWI and the subsequent imperial partitioning of their country by the conquering nations. These people felt powerless and angry at their situation. Hitler was the perfect conduit for their outrage.
Hitler's ability to break down the barriers of speech and tap directly into the fears and insecurities of his audience cemented him in the dark pages of history. Through his aptitude at connecting with and coercing his audience, Hitler effectively took over an entire industrialized nation. Hitler spoke with a force and passion, embodying the frustration of the German people. The rhythm and raw power of his words carry a kind of weight and severity that is overpowering, almost scary. These were the words and ideas that led to one of the bloodiest epochs in human existence, and as such, are likely the most powerful words ever spoken. Now, I'm not saying that might equals right, but if Hitler's capacity to influence other had been used for a good purpose, just imagine impact it could have had.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KgJQUXr2Ws&NR=1
An orator I truly admire is George N. Parks. He is the director of the Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band and Professor of Music at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He is and always will be my favorite public speaker of all time. I did not know of him until recently though.
This past summer I was sent to the Drum Major Academy at West Chester University because I am this year’s Lacey Township High School’s Marching Band Drum Major. I was sent there to learn how to become a confident leader, but I was not aware of the fact that George N. Parks himself was still running the Academy after all these years. To my surprise he was there and I fell in love with his teachings and speeches. There were 460 students at this Academy and every single one became mesmerized every time he spoke. It was unbelievable how he drew his students in so quickly and never lost their focus. At times there were four hour sessions that he would talk straight and when I would look around the auditorium to see if every other person was as interested as I was, not one person seemed to be bored. All the students were sitting up straight in their chairs, taking notes, and reacting to every story or suggestion he made. Every student listened to him and took almost every piece of advice he offered. I had never seen such an amazing response to a public speaker before. He had such stage presence and an all around great personality. Sometimes he was intense and serious about his teachings and in other instances he was so hysterical and goofy sounding that the entire audience couldn’t help but to erupt in laughter.
At the bottom of this post there is a link to part of one of his speeches to his students at the Academy in 2006. Unfortunately I could not find a better video clip of him speaking because he rarely lets anyone film him. Most of the clips are of what exercises the students at the Academy practiced while they were there. The one I picked shows the audience how much of a lively and 'sticky' person he can be. In the beginning of the clip he is making a point to the rest of the students how easy it is to lose points when competing in a squad competition. At the end of the video clip is when you actually get to see some of a speech. I hope you can atleast get an idea of what an amazing experience it was to have the privilege of learning from one of the best directors of all time.
If the video clip does not come up automatically it is the one labeled Projection Penalties. It is the fourth video down from the top.
http://video.healthhaven.com/George_OWU.htm#item3
When people think of great public speakers, comedians are often overlooked. But why? They, more so than anyone else, have to rely on their ability to reach, interest, and impress their audience. This is why the speaker I most admire is Stephen Colbert.
If anyone has watched Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, they know what a captivating speaker Stephen is. His mixture of power and charisma demand you to listen while his wit and humor keep you laughing every minute. Though he is a political satirist, Colbert has a way of being able to sell you anything he says; if he says it, it’s right. Now that’s power over an audience. In addition to having the gift of oratory genius, Stephen Colbert has the courage to speak about things most others do not. At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2006, he publicly targeted the Media and President Bush himself (who happened to be sitting only a few feet away from him). To be able to hold your own in front of an audience you’re criticizing is something only a truly remarkable public speaker could accomplish.
The following is a clip from The Colbert Report. After a short advertisement, the clip should begin. Stephen Colbert discusses President Obama’s response to Iran. Enjoy.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/231684/june-23-2009/barack-obama-s-response-to-iran
Have you ever watched Dr. Phil? Did you ever think how hard it could possibly be for him to sit in front of an audience everyday and have conversations with millions of different people? I feel that Dr. Phil is a very good public speaker and someone you could learn a lot from. To start off, I would like to say that although he does have other people with him to help keep a word flow going, he is extremely well with holding conversation. Some of the things you notice with Dr. Phil is he is very easy going with words. He does not use extremely large words to get through situations but however the points he makes and the way he speaks is what makes everything easy to understand.
One example that I can use is from one of his youtube clips and he is trying to advertise the SleepTracker. Now, usually Dr. Phil is involved with helping people solve problems but in this clip of an episode he is advertising an object yet still talks with fluency. He is explaining it to a young women and he uses influential words to help him. Each episode that Dr. Phil produces he gets his message out multiple ways, and ends up influencing people. His goal on his show is to help people cope with problems, or help solve problems. They go to him for help, so to say that he is great with words would be a understatement. He is a great influential speaker, and impacts peoples lives. Below is the clip of the SleepTracker video. You will notice how he talks calmy, and comfortably while trying to encourage the product.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L93V1sniTT0
An orator that I admire is Martin Luther King Jr. Most people are familiar with his “I Have a Dream” Speech. I first learned about this speech in elementary school, but I first heard it in a hotel room when I was on vacation in about fifth grade. At first I thought he sounded a little silly, but after I got over his preachers’ voice, I started listening to his message. In an incredibly inspiring way, he was fighting for civil rights. He seemed absolutely fearless, and it is clear that he was very confident and believed in what he was saying. He spoke about what was important to him and people really identified with him. His voice was filled with power and every movement and gesture he made displayed authority, making me and all the other viewers respect him. It’s no wonder that we have a holiday celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. This clip is the most famous part of his speech, and really presents his point. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZLvSnr6s50
A speaker I admire would be Morgan Freeman. I think most people would agree that he has an amazing voice. I never get tired of hearing it. His voice is very strong and loud, but it is not annoying. He does not sound like he is shouting at you like some speakers, but rather talking to you, trying to prove a point. Morgan Freeman knows exactly what he is talking about. He is focused on his words so he doesn’t mess up and is very clear in his speaking. In an acceptance speech at the Oscars, he looked around the room at everyone and made eye contact. He even smiled, which is something many people forget to do when speaking. In the clip below, you will hear him narrate, “March of the Penguins.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB_GisVFboU
Im not one to really listen to actual public speakers, but one person i listened too and connected with through his novels and movie's is Chuck Palahniuk. If he himself had spoke these words he would have my attention the whole time. All of Chuck's works are very profound and enlightening. His perspective on... everything, is quite beautiful.
If i could use any one particular scene and/or book as an example of how moving his words are, it would be the scene from his movie "Fight Club."
The way Chuck writes is so abstract that to really visualize his true meaning, you would have to make a movie out of it.
In this scene Chuck demonstrates that if you have dreams, follow them. If you have ambitions, to go for them. The flip side of your current life would be death, so why base life on time. (Tyler holds gun to Raymond's head questioning, "What did you want to be?", Ray nervously pleads "..a veterinarian." Tyler continues to interrogate saying, "Why aren't you still in school?". Ray cries, "To much schooling." Tyler continues with " Would you rather be dead?")
Chuck uses the visualization of a gun to a persons head to get threw to the viewer, that if you what to do something, you have to take actions. You are not going to be literally forced at gun point to follow your dreams. (Tyler wont be back in six weeks checking up on you making sure your not just staying comfortable in what you know.) You have to take steps, you have to do what's best for you. If what you want to do has to much schooling or labor, or is to expensive, go for it. others wise die in your little crappy basement apartment working at the convenient store. Die because that's all you will settle for. You should strive for your goals and never settle for anything, especially for less.
All in all Chuck Palahniuk is a powerful writer because you can go on and on and on about a two minute and eighteen second scene or of 5 pages of his writing for hours. His words make you think. and not just think but deeply grasp a whole different point of view. The way he demonstrates so boldly what he wants to say. He is an amazing writer and if he were to ever to speak in person, about anything, i'm sure id be there to listen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIj7EiWGFe8
In my opinion John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech was one of the most moving moments of any Presidency to date. When I listen to what he asks of us he says that we have a duty to this country beyond just living our daily lives. We have a roll to “defend freedom” (JFK). Now more than ever this holds true. Our country is based on the principles of a free society that upholds the rights of the week and the oppressed. When John F. Kennedy says “Let us begin” he is saying that even if we cannot give freedom to the world we must try. This is because everyone deserves the chance to live in freedom. If we do not reach out to those who need our help then who will help them? In closing I would like to say that hope is not an easy thing to give people. John F. Kennedy was not a liberal or a conservative that day, he was an American that I admire.
http:www.youtube.com
/watch!v=JLdAlikkoEc
A speaker that I admire is General George Patton. He was a famous General during World War II one of his most famous speech’s given, was to the Third Army. His style is very different but I believe effective because he is motivating men preparing them for battle. He tells it like it is and does not butter up the truth at all. His speech is some what vulgar but he is speaking to men who are going to war so I believe it is appropriate. I think the worlds he chooses awaken the crowd and keep them interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE5UFLoBlBA
So many people, so many views, attitudes, religious beliefs, and ignorance have taken what was once appreciated and turned it upside down and now takes it for granted.
An orator that i found to be inspiring is Mother Theresa in her "Forgiveness" speech. "If we really want to love we must learn to forgive." Is a big part in her speech. Meaning that if we don't forgive, forget, and move on than we will never end wars and controversy will always be a huge part in our society. Mother Theresa talks about forgiving as it being a key to bringing the world together, ending all hatred and becoming closer to peace and unity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM-TsFsC_g8
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be. Yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Sing this to yourself and you will understand why this is a speech worth praising. Their outreach towards peace is exemplified in this song. This is a speech that is performed with sound, visual, and great expression to get their point across. Why not add this to our list of people to be applauded for outrageous effect of words that have dramatically change the millions of lives in recent years. Not many people can perform such a speech in a way like the The Beatles have. Enough said!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9SgDoypXcI
P.S. I could not get a shorter version!
In sports history, there are few good speakers. Today’s sport stars go through little education before they become professionals, so must are not the best of speakers. That is why I went back to the older sport days to find a good public speaker. I came out with Muhammad Ali as my speaker, because he could move the crowd in his press conferences and have everyone on his side. He could go from talking trash to his opponent to making the whole crowd laughing and what he would say. Ali was also one of the cockiest professionals in sports history. His “I am the Greatest” speech is known worldwide and is looked at as an icon for him and athletes making speeches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-5_8af3TiY
Personally, I love Johnny Depp and his films. I like how he opens up this speech with saying how he's not great at public speaking. He starts the audience off laughing and it caught my attention as well. He is a goodlooking man and I don't mind watching his speech no matter how long it is ha. He is very in depth with what he's talking about and I like how he jokes about his own films. I do not like how he scratches his head and touches his face. That's kind of a distraction. Overall its a 5 minute speech, you don't need to watch the whole thing. I just like the beginning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji9zw7j1FY0&feature=related
I have to say that Henry Rollins, known for his musical career in Black Flag and appearances on countless television shows, radio shows, films and documentaries, and books, is most definitely one of my favorite speakers. Henry Rollins speaks with such passion and energy that makes everyone want to listen. He is able to make real-life issues comical all while still getting his point across. Henry Rollins is well known for satirical works. He exposes true nonsense in life by the use of irony and humor. I really admire his energy and his messages; he shows his audience that he is a real down-to-earth person and he speaks about everyday issues. He is a very smart man. His voice is always clear and he seems very at ease while speaking in public. In the clip posted he happens to read off of a paper but it is rare for him to do such.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV4Q47s-zT4&feature=related
For me to honestly blog about a speaker it would have to be someone who I admire. Jamie Lee Curtis is an amazing woman and is defiantly an amazing actress, speaker, writer, and all around amazing woman. She is a horror film queen or to be specific the "Scream Queen" of horror movies. Since i can't get enough horror, obviously i can not get enough of Jamie Lee Curtis. She's been in so many movies, written a few books, and has spoken for many organizations. The way Jamie Lee Curtis speaks is a way that people, including myself, can relate to. She has a sense of humor that keeps the crowd awake and i admire that. I mean if a person can say "chicks rule" in a speech and still have people love you than you're pretty amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I7yEMUvMIU
When asked to write about my favorite speaker the only thing that came to mind was my all time favorite TV show; The Office. I quickly remembered that although I wished this was a real work place it was fictional, and I surely could not write about a fake character. Then I took a closer look at Scott Carrel's, one of the Offices main characters, real life speeches and found that they were not only funny but also rather high-quality. He demands your attention with such a serious voice even in the middle of a joke which adds to the comedic value. Both in and out of character Steve Carrel is a strong speaker he is confident in what he is saying and isn't afraid of throwing in jokes to liven the mood. I have posted the link for Steve's 2007 Emmy Awards speech.
And I also used my AIM screenname my real name is Jeff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_dL4vBirho
I know I'm a little late to this discussion, but I was having some technical difficulties with my computer. Sorry...anyway, when we were asked to blog about a speaker that we admire, this question for some reason or another really rattled my brain. I wasn't really sure if I should say who came to my mind first for the reason that many people do not like him. But, the reason I admire him is exactly the reason I should mention him. Michael Moore, is who I admire for a few reasons which I will get into in class but mainly for one, Freedom of Speech. He acts on what we all should be acting on, our opinions, and for somebody in this country to stand up for what they believe in, whether right or wrong, is very inspiring.
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