TED EVALUATION

Mystery Boxwith

J.J. Abrams

Photo courtesy of TheMarySue.com

Angie Perkins – PSP:1206

So, who is this guy?TED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

Writer

Director

Producer

All images from imdb.com

Why was he at TED?TED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

“…Mystery is the catalyst for imagination.”

Mystery invites us to think, to create, and to draw our own conclusions.

Warming up to the crowd…TED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

By opening with a science reference, he broke the iceamongst professionals who are

not all in the entertainment industry.

Picture from: http://swift.cmbi.ru.nl/teach/alg/infopages/proteins.shtml

Humor works wonders.

Hey, this i

sn’t

a movie poster…

Keeping it RealTED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

With the use of movie clips,Abrams was able to relay

his points by example.

Abrams kept the audience engagedwith personal stories of his grandfather

and the inspiring role he playedin the director’s early life.

Having a self-aware sense of humorhelped, too.

Movie still of “Jaws” (1975). Copyright Universal Pictures.

He alsobrought his

Mystery Box.

Obeying the TED CommandmentsTED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

From the TED Website:

Dream Big.“…Do something that will be remembered forever...”

Learn to take the unknown as a challenge, not an obstacle.

In storytelling, leaving a sense of mystery allows a personto draw their own conclusions and

make their own connections to the story.

As an artist and writer, I can use this element to enhance a storyor art piece. Let the viewer have some freedom to interpret.

The ScorecardTED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

Abrams gets 4 out of 5 on the Dynamism Scale.

Pros:• Relatable – connected with audience• Humorous• Visually appealing presentation

Cons:• Sounded underprepared (Word fillers)• Not much of a “closer”

“Vault Boy” character copyright Bethesda Softworks.

Learn From the ProsTED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

Again, the key words are “be relatable.”

While giving presentations, keep the audience interested and involved.

The key to success in presenting?

Use terms and examples that are familiar with the listener,so they are not left in the dark or alienated.

Sir Ken RobinsonTED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

Robinson is arguably one of the most professional speakers at TED.

So, naturally, comparisons are inevitable.

“Wait a second…I thought this

was aboutJ.J. Abrams!”

I know whatyou’re thinking…

How do they stack up?TED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

They both:

• Made connections with their audience by relating personal stories.

• Were very passionate about their chosen topics, backed up by example and experience.

• Had similar purposes in their presentations – challenge people to expand their creativity.

However:

• Abrams, while confident in his beliefs, seemed less practiced with the speech. Robinson is very well-rehearsed and comfortable.

• Robinson had a more organized outline in the presentation.

• Abrams used a lot of visual aides (not necessarily bad), while Robinson used none.

My Final ThoughtTED Evaluation: J.J. Abrams

Relaxation is key.

The best lessons from watching this presentation.

Practice makes perfect.

http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2011/06/shawn-greens-ze.html

Most Important: Care about what you’re trying to communicate.

http://communicationskillstips.com/2012/3-great-ways-to-practice-your-speech/