Hunter S.Thompson was a renegade journalist who incorporated a gonzo style into his writing about everything from the Hell’s Angels to Richard Nixon to sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll and every vice in between. Thompson died in 2005, but his literary life continues to resonate in recent documentaries and a new film that finds Johnny Depp sort of re-connecting to his quasi-Thompson-stand-in-character in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
The Rum Diary is based on Thompson’s long-unpublished first novel. Even though it was his first book, Diary is packed with all of the things the writer became famous for: satire, debauchery, absurdity, hyperbole, wicked flights of imagination, knee-slapping hi-jinx and an allergy to authority. The movie captures the spirit of the book. It also demonstrates a lot of important lessons for presenters.
Take Chances
Johnny Depp plays Paul Kemp – an American journalist who’s left the mainland to write for a down-on-its-luck newspaper in San Juan Puerto Rico. While Kemp immediately finds himself around a raucous group of writers and photographers who encourage his already problematic-seeming wild side, it didn’t have to be that way. It takes guts to leave home and live in a city where you don’t even speak the language. In the end Kemp finds his way. He also finds a purpose for his life and talents. Take chances! It’s the only way to reap real jackpots. If you want to be a presentation star you’ve got to be willing to step outside your comfort zone.
Push Your Limits
Of course Paul Kemp is Hunter S. Thompson’s alter ego and when it comes to pushing the limits on drugs, drink and daringly dumb adventuring Kemp doesn’t need much coaxing. Kemp finds it harder to push his limits on personal integrity and values like commitment to a higher ideal than just another bottle of rum. But, he comes around. What are your limits as a presenter? Have you pushed yourself to be a better designer? Have you promised yourself to be twice as funny the next time you step to the front of the room? We make our best progress slowly and steadily over time, but we get nowhere at all if we don’t keep pushing.
Use Up Your Fuel
Kemp uses up all of his fuel in this movie. Whether its rum, cigarettes, experimental hallucinogens or big favors from important friends, Kemp blows right through them. He also funnels his humor and rage at the high-dollar swindlers who are effectively stealing Puerto Rico from its own people. Are you burning up your creativity so brightly it spreads to your teammates? Are you bringing every ounce of charisma to the podium or are you just going through the motions? When it comes to your presentations, think more like Thompson/Kemp. Bring it all. Use it all.
