What am I doing in this picture? Probably something a bit crazy.
Although I have a face for radio, this face has provided me a living.
So I guess that affords me the permission to consider myself an expert on how to use your face.
When it comes to being on stage the only thing that can be compared to the importance of the usage of your face would be the voice. That will be another blog post.
The other day I found some old footage of one of my early performances. It was playing in the background as I was searching for my Tiny Tim impression to show my kids who just discovered him, and yet the sound wasn’t on.
I sat and watched for about 20 minutes with no sound, just communication from the face. I was surprised by what I saw. I knew I had a way of using my face to my advantage but I never realized the extent, even before I revealed on stage my Signature Moves: Facial Exercises.
Whether or not you can do the facial exercises is no matter. All that matters is what you do with what you’ve got.
Record a speech, a show, singing a song, playing an instrument, acting in a play, and watch it with the sound OFF and see what your face tells the audience.
It can be exaggerated like Jim Carrey or Robin Williams, it can be subtle like Louis CK or Seinfeld, it can be a combination of sophistication and silliness, such as Jimmy Fallon and James Corden, or it can tell it’s own story as the story unfolds, such as Mark Scharenbroich, Lou Heckler, and Jeanne Robertson.
What are your eyes communicating?
What is the energy exploding off your face?
Or is it mundane, simple, careless and indifferent?
When you tell a sad story do you look sad, or make the mistake some speakers do by looking happy telling a devastating story? Make sure the face matches up with the words.
Doing this one simple practice can accelerate your ability to be a better storyteller, to sell your newest original song in concert, to being funnier, to taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster.
Think of your face – exercise it – move your mouth, trill your tongue, flap your lips, open your eyes as wide as possible, move your eyes back and forth and all around, stretch your muscles, and guess what?
You’ll get more work, bigger laughs, better responses in everything you bring to the stage.
For added measure watch this, you can thank me later for the laughs this will bring
Jason Hewlett, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, is a Keynote Speaker for the largest corporate events in the world. His primary message, The Promise, is essential for Leadership, Management, Sales, Marketing, Direct-Sales Companies, and is a combination of engagement and entertainment meets inspiration. Jason has even received standing ovations from IT guys. He has been acknowledged as life-changing by Conference Attendees, C-Level Executives and Hollywood Elite. jasonhewlett.com
Please click here to learn about how Jason Hewlett, Speaker Hall of Fame, introduces the opportunity for you, or someone you love, to have the gift of learning how to create a Career From the Stage and begin moving toward fulfilling a lifelong dream as a full-time speaker, performer, or entertainer.
Good stuff right here! I recently watched Ryan Hamilton’s Netflix special. I watched his facial expressions in regard to his stories and how they enhanced the joke. It’s a simple nuance but it makes all the difference.
Yeah, nice observation, his face is so well used. Thanks for the comment.