AV News 177 - August 2009
I presented only occasionally while still at school and my interest in space
science was not encouraged by the teachers who suggested I look elsewhere
for an interest. Then I saw the American planetary scientist Carl Sagan present
a series of Royal Society Christmas Lectures. Sagan's style was dynamic,
emotional and contained humour. He demonstrated that science could be
entertaining and deeply impressed and inspired me, I ignored the teachers'
advice and carried on studying space science and developing my lecture style.
Obtaining visual material was not easy to come by. Slides of the planets and
stars that were available through education outlets were usually poor quality
artwork dating back to the 1950s. In the United States NASA allowed images
from their space missions to be sold in slide sets of 8, 20 and 40 slides - these
were ideal. The first slide sets used were: Mariners 4,6,7 & 9 at Mars; Mariner
10 at Mercury and Venus; Pioneers 10 & 11 at Jupiter and Saturn; Vikings 1 &
2 at Mars; Apollo Moon missions; Skylab.
The first sound effects used was for wind blowing on Mars, recordings of
rocket countdowns and launching, Apollo Moon landing - taken from an album
of Apollo recordings. When Voyagers 1 & 2 flew past Jupiter the resultant slide
sets were magnificent and with the discovery of thunderstorms in Jupiter's
atmosphere and erupting volcanoes and Jupiter's moon Io the sound effects
were put to good use.
My interests are not limited to space science and soon my other passions
began to be represented in lectures including the Titanic with sound effects of
the ships horn, seagulls, engines and the band playing. It was not long before
costume was added, the space talks were first with a NASA flightsuit being
used complete with mission patches.
It was clear to me, that a modern audience needed more from a lecture than
simply being talked at. Entertainment is a major part of the presentation, with
humour and music the audience will become more comfortable in a much
warmer environment. To create an emotional reaction by using such elements
as music is essential for the overall effect. It does mean the presenter has to
become an accomplished performer as well as having an in-depth knowledge
of the subject he/she is speaking on, rather than simply being a narrator.
The acting roles within the presentation are an important part, brining life to
characters of the subject, bringing
them down from the screen and into
the room.
In the presenter's role, clad in a
costume, I create a character to
dramatically tell a story, transmitting
my own enthusiasm and passion to
the audience. I think it is impossible to
truly impart detailed information to a
mixed audience unless some form of
empathy is established.
Performance art can do this. In
essence
to
create
a
living
documentary.
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