Part 2 of 2 – Reshape
Audience has context.
I like to watch film content that shows suspense, paranormal activity, and mystery. So I was very pleased to find that Netflix has the first season of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (39 episodes!) available for streaming subscribers. Each episode is roughly 20 minutes, displayed in black-and-white, and oh so 1950s. I’m fascinated how Hitchcock twists a usually suspenseful plot for a surprise ending. Most of all, I like how his stories usually leave me thinking deeper about the subject matter.
I recently watch episode 5, “Into Thin Air”. The script follows the daughter of a woman who disappears from a hotel in Paris. After the woman’s daughter discovers the disappearance, she searches for her mother by questioning the hotel staff. None of the staff remembers ever meeting the woman or her daughter even though it’s been less than 24 hours since they checked in the hotel. Despite my love for Hitchcock films, I didn’t like this episode at all. It wasn’t the content of the story. It was the acting of the woman’s daughter. I felt like her reaction to the situation wasn’t at all realistic from how a daughter would react if her mother went missing from a hotel. The actress played a character that was dumb-struck and confused. There was no anger or strong emotion. No hysterics or fits of rage. She didn’t call anyone names. I get the thought that we might start to doubt our own memories when told by multiple people that our memories are wrong. But typically, anger, outrage, or some other emotional outburst would come first. I kept thinking to myself while watching this isn’t a good portrayal of character.
Then in the Hitchcock closing he remarks, “I thought the little leading lady did rather well, didn’t you?” I think my face went completely blank. But then it occurred to me, that the actress was playing a character that the audience of that time expected. Maybe it was closer in character to a wealthy traveling woman of the time than what I know. The part was played to connect with and appeal to the audience of that day and age. The success of the Hitchcock short’s show that he definitely connected with the audience.
(As an aside, I found after a little research that in this particular episode, the actress was played by Alfred Hitchcock’s daughter Pat Hitchcock. No wonder he made that remark!)
We too are taught to know our audience. It’s part of the basic block and tackling taught in school. It’s important when preparing content of any kind whether in business or for personal interactions.
Reshape my delivery.
Why am I rambling about all this? That Alfred Hitchcock episode was the inspiration for my two blog posts on ‘reshape’….(pause for effect)…..I know…….. Yes, this is the point when you realize your suspicions were true that I’m a rather odd fella.
But after watching the episode and thinking about audience within context of time and medium, I saw a parallel to how I wrestle to produce content for speeches, documents, and emails each week in business. Those that work with me see that I constantly tweak the format of some recurring meetings and presentations. I like to tinker with the flow of staff meetings as well. It’s a constant cycle of produce content, deliver content, and measure by how well I think it connected with the audience. Reshaping my delivery is about trying to connect with other people on an idea, a thought, or a task.
Onward and upward!