Pecha Kucha means chit chat in Japanese. The event features speakers who give fast paced presentations. Power point is used to show 20 images and the speakers have 20 seconds to talk about each slide. The slides are timed and run automatically, so there is no going back or speaking for too long. All the presentations on this night were about movies. For the rehearsal, the audience consisted of fellow presenters. They offer encouragement and notes for each presentation. They had rehearsed in past weeks, so they got to watch as their talks evolved and got better.
Kent Vanderberg gave a moving talk about video production and the need for play in the life of adults. He filmed a documentary about people from a renaissance fair here in Central Florida. He followed several characters everyday lives and compared that to their Renaissance Fair personalities. We all need to seize every moment of every day. It is the playful and intimate moments that make life worth living. All work, and no play, makes Jack a dull boy. Worrying and rushing through life leaves little room for what really matters.
Eddie Selover, who keeps Pecha Kucha alive here in Orlando was a presenter as well. He reminisced about James Bond. Eddie, back in 1963 had a model of James Bond’s car, which could fire missiles, had bullet proof glass and many other high tech spy features. I used to have a very similar car. I also remember having a brief case that had hidden compartments and a toy knife that would detach at the tap of a button. Eddie grew up on Bond films until his parents cut him off because the films got too sexually explicit. Eddies experience with the opposite sex was very different than 007’s. Whereas Bond might confidently have a woman in every port, Eddie was surprised any time a girl noticed him. His life took a swift and exiting change when Eddie met his wife. Life is an adventure that should be lived to its fullest. You don’t need to be a spy to recognize that.
Matt Moeller from SAK comedy lab gave a fast paced rap presentation on how to write a script. It was a real education, and hilarious at the same time. The lyrics came fast and furious and the beat stayed constant throughout. When the lyrics worked and he hit his stride, the presentation was pure magic. He followed the hero’s journey using images from Star Wars as examples.
Mark Your Calendars! Pecha Kucha, “Talking Pictures” will be on Friday February 6th at 7pm at the Orange Studio, (1121 North Mills Avenue). Tickets are $11. This show is sold out.