tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553440626649035970.post1060962223900396135..comments2023-12-10T16:30:24.965+00:00Comments on Max Atkinson's Blog: Time the Tories learnt from Mrs Thatcher's stage managers?Max Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06163447049027217653noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553440626649035970.post-59672402898231677922010-03-01T11:35:34.728+00:002010-03-01T11:35:34.728+00:00John Watkis: I'd be very surprised if there is...John Watkis: I'd be very surprised if there is any 'science' behind it - otherwise, they surely wouldn't do it!<br />Peter: Good point about Clarke & Hague. Only trouble is that Ken can't be bothered to get his hands apart when everyone else does!<br />John Zimmer: Thanks for this and for pointing us to the brilliant Clinton & Bush clips - which I strongly recommend everyone to watch...Max Atkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06163447049027217653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553440626649035970.post-77222827813768519432010-03-01T08:20:04.054+00:002010-03-01T08:20:04.054+00:00Great article - as usual - Max. I completely agree...Great article - as usual - Max. I completely agree with you. For two great clips that show the pitfalls of speaking with people behind you, check this out - http://wp.me/pwfa1-cy - Enjoy!<br /><br />John Zimmer<br />http://mannerofspeaking.orgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553440626649035970.post-8680252166595514622010-03-01T07:01:08.452+00:002010-03-01T07:01:08.452+00:00I assume the intent is to get across the idea that...I assume the intent is to get across the idea that, hey, Ken Clarke agrees with him. And so does William Hague! etc.<br /><br />But I too find them very distracting.Peter Briffahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07944248593784819303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553440626649035970.post-75551419394956873042010-03-01T02:20:15.194+00:002010-03-01T02:20:15.194+00:00I don't think the diversity angle gets played ...I don't think the diversity angle gets played with this crowd.<br /><br />I have seen Billy Graham live. This is the type of setup he uses. I think it's also used in multi-level marketing conferences. I'm not a fan of it, but maybe there's a dynamic they're trying to tap in to. <br /><br />I would be curious to find out the "science" behind having people behind a speaker.John Watkishttp://www.wellwrittenwellsaid.com/successfulspeechesblognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553440626649035970.post-25257541164204049912010-02-28T23:45:57.855+00:002010-02-28T23:45:57.855+00:00Just Wonderful - thanks for reassuring me that I&#...Just Wonderful - thanks for reassuring me that I'm not alone and am, perhaps, not the only speeches anorak in the world. Prompted applause, by the way, hasn't deterred the Tories in the past: Ian Duncan Smith, probably the most hopeless public speaker they've ever had as leader, got 'interrupted' by standing ovations during one of his conference speeches - even though I never remember it happening to Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair - or anyone else for that matter!<br /><br />John - yes, news of this is beginning to come through to me after this post - but do you think the people behind Cameron play the 'diversity' card? And the idea behind the Thatcher innovation originally came via the USA in the first place. Her conference supremo, Harvey Thomas, had previously run Billy Graham crusades to the UK.Max Atkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06163447049027217653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553440626649035970.post-55862705249801521502010-02-28T22:33:28.655+00:002010-02-28T22:33:28.655+00:00Hi Max,
Although it is an odd (and distracting) s...Hi Max,<br /><br />Although it is an odd (and distracting) scene to have an audience behind a speaker, it's not uncommon. Many American political speeches are set up the same way. The audience behind the speaker is often used to show the diversity of people who support a political candidate or party.<br /><br />This is also quite common in some churches. The choir, deacons and other members of the church sit behind the speaker.<br /><br />Unless the speaker is effective, I often find myself looking at the other people to keep myself occupied.John Watkishttp://www.wellwrittenwellsaid.com/successfulspeechesblognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553440626649035970.post-24453143412686681092010-02-28T22:23:06.769+00:002010-02-28T22:23:06.769+00:00A good point actually, I found myself watching the...A good point actually, I found myself watching the people in the background and it does tend to take away from the main speaker. As to the applause lag from the platform I can see the alternate point being made if they were to lead the applause. Claims of staged/prompted applause etc.Lossie Beachcomberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985258623113056390noreply@blogger.com