3
1.2
Get Inspired by Documentaries
An on-screen slide presentation is to a documentary what a play on Broadway is to
a Hollywood movie. A slide presentation is more up close and personal. The spectators are closer to the action and even part of it, as the actors do interact with the
audience. On the other hand, a movie is less personal, but filled with exciting special
effects.
Just like there is still room and interest nowadays for plays, despite their primitive technologies compared to movies, there are still some unique and desirable
features in a presentation compared to a documentary.
Yet I urge presenters to get inspired by the content of documentaries, as those are
typically created by highly skilled professional teams having access to the greatest
tools. But even more important, get inspired by what you do NOT see in documentaries, to avoid falling in the usual traps.
Throughout this book, a smaller version of the image below will accompany
short discussions related to documentaries.
Next time you watch a documentary, pay attention. Notice the tricks used to
convey complex messages through simple words and images. Look for features you
use in your slide presentation software which they DO NOT use in documentaries.
Get inspired!
1 Introduction
1.2
Get Inspired by Documentaries
An on-screen slide presentation is to a documentary what a play on Broadway is to
a Hollywood movie. A slide presentation is more up close and personal. The spectators are closer to the action and even part of it, as the actors do interact with the
audience. On the other hand, a movie is less personal, but filled with exciting special
effects.
Just like there is still room and interest nowadays for plays, despite their primitive technologies compared to movies, there are still some unique and desirable
features in a presentation compared to a documentary.
Yet I urge presenters to get inspired by the content of documentaries, as those are
typically created by highly skilled professional teams having access to the greatest
tools. But even more important, get inspired by what you do NOT see in documentaries, to avoid falling in the usual traps.
Throughout this book, a smaller version of the image below will accompany
short discussions related to documentaries.
Next time you watch a documentary, pay attention. Notice the tricks used to
convey complex messages through simple words and images. Look for features you
use in your slide presentation software which they DO NOT use in documentaries.
Get inspired!
1 Introduction