The Pope steps out onto his balcony overlooking St. Peters Square in
Rome and surveys the crowd. Then he begins the benediction.
Bette Davis stops in the doorway and looks around. Then she mutters,
What a dump!
And every late-night TV comic since Heeeeres Johnny! steps center
stage and scrutinizes the applauding audience. Then he reveals the reason
for the smirk on his face.
What do all these great entrances have in common? Each pauses
momentarily and looks around before swooping into decsive action.
Movie directors love shots of THE DOORWAY where the camera pans,
the music swells, and all eyes gravitate to the hocho or honchoette standing
under the frame. Does the star skulk into the room like a frightened little
kitten in a new owners home? Or, like many of us do at a party, frantically
gravitate to the first familiar face so people wont think he or shes
unconnected? No,
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the star stops. Then, framed by the doorway, his or her notable presence
is felt by all.
People who have mastered this trick have what envious thatrical wanna-
bes call stage presence. Stage groupies think some lucky stars are born with
it. Think again, thespians. Its cultivated. Politicians dont just slink
unnoticed into a roomful of people.
Politicians make The Entrance.
With one simple technique, you too can make great entrances. I call it
Rubberneck the Room. Before entering, stop dramatically in the doorway
and survey the scene s-l-o-w-l-y with your eyes. It is significant that, while
youre standing in the doorway, youre not thinking, Look at me. The reason
youre Rubbernecking the Room is not to show off. It is so you can diagnose
the situation youre walking into. Take note of the lighting, the bar, and most
important, the faces. Listen to the music, the buzz of the crowd, the clinking
of glasses. See who is talking to whom. While rubbenecking, youll also be
using Be the Chooser, Not the Choosee, the next technique, which helps
you select your first, second, and maybe third target. Now, like the big cat
who rules the jungle, leap in to make your first move toward wiping up the
room.
In tandem with Rubberneck the Room, try using the folloing technique.
ooja
(Ooja)
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