License to Be Whoever You Want

According to BBC news this week, the US Box Office did very well this Summer, with superhero movies such as Man of Steel and Iron Man 3 at the top.

These movies always have a good villain. It’s well known that Hollywood loves an English actor for a villain, whether it’s Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’, Donald Pleasance as Blofeld, Peter Cushing in ‘Star Wars’, Alan Rrrickman in ‘Die Hard’, or Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. They provide a sinister, intellectual character.

But it’s more than just your accent; it’s your manner, the way you carry yourself, your vocabulary, your clothes. All these things create an impression of your character before you’ve even opened your mouth (see also my post ‘How to Meet Strangers‘). OK, appearing to be a Bond villain at a networking event might not be such a good idea, but… actually, scratch that, it’s an excellent idea. Well, not being a Bond villain perhaps, but a Bond character. 

OK, let’s run with this. Here’s your mission: choose a character from ‘Skyfall’ (and if you haven’t seen it yet, do so immediately) that you identify with: M (Judi Dench), Q (Ben Whishaw), Mallory (Ralph Fiennes), Kincade (Albert Finney)… there are plenty more. You could even choose Sévérine (Bérénice Marlohe) or Bond himself if you’re feeling confident.

Once you’ve chosen your character, try (just a little, you understand) to dress like them, to think like them, and in a way become them (just a little though – for goodness’ sake don’t go over the top with this, it’s all about subtelty). See if you can change your posture when you stand, sit and walk. Have fun with it; others may notice a change in you, and you may realise attributes that you were unaware of. 

Good luck out there in the field… and please return the equipment in one piece.