On a recent episode of Inside the Actor’s Studio, John Travolta was the featured guest. He told a story about going to a new director’s apartment to hear about a new script. The nervous, young guy invited Travolta in and immediately engaged him in board-game versions of the star’s former films: Saturday Night Fever, Grease etc.
By the time they got down to business, the director told Travolta that he wanted him to star in a vampire movie that was to take place in Mexico. Travolta was disappointed with the idea and quickly begged off, not interested in a horror project. Nonplussed, the director mentioned that he might be able to find another spot for the actor in this crime project he was working on.
That movie was Pulp Fiction. The director was Quentin Tarantino.
With Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, Tarantino proved himself to be a consummate film-stylist and gave birth to innumerable wanna-be’s who continue to ape the wonder-boy’s inimitable images. Chances are, you like Tarantino’s movies, but even if you don’t, you can take some notes from his play book and invest your next presentation with a new bag of tricks.
Make an Entrance
One of the most memorable scenes in Reservoir Dogs happens at the beginning of the film, when the gangsters leave the diner where they’ve been eating and talking. Tarantino cranks the soundtrack and choreographs the bad guys in super slow motion. A mundane scene starts to sizzle with style and emotion. We’ve all seen a presenter take the stage. What will you do to make a memorable entrance next time?
Silly is Simple
Everyone – with good reason – raves about Tarantino’s dialog. We all have favorite lines from his films, and Samuel L. Jackson has built a career on chewing up these ramblings. The unique thing about his dialog is that it’s simple. Tarantino’s characters are always talking about things we all know: fast food, kung fu movies, Madonna, cars. Nothing can make your PowerPoint presentation fly like humor, but you don’t have to create elaborate jokes to get real laughs.
Crazy Mix ’em Up
Tarantino got a lot of attention for the way that he played with the story structure in Pulp Fiction. Even if you watch the film again you’ll likely find yourself keeping notes in your head, trying to determine just when does Vince get killed in the bathroom? Although I advocate and engaging start and a strong finish, that doesn’t mean that you have to stick to the same pattern every time you do a PowerPoint presentation. Mixing up your approach can help to keep you – and your audience – on their toes.
Steal Away
Tarantino’s detractors point out that his films are created out of so much reverence for his heroes that he tends to imitate more than innovate. Although Tarantino borrows a lot, he borrows widely, and he recreates his own images and twists in unique and unlikely ways. Don’t be shy. If you find an image or an idea or a technique in a film or magazine – or even another PowerPoint presentation – it’s OK to steal it, as long as you make it your own!