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Oscar Clark is a speaker and author with passion for games and online entertainment. Today, he is Evangelist at Unity Technologies. Oscar is a regular columnist with such sites as PocketGamer.biz and Develop-Online.net and can often be found speaking at countless gaming conferences around the world. In 2014, Oscar wrote the book “Game as a Service”.
What is PechaKucha?
In a PechaKucha talk you are given 20 slides, you can only have images on the slides, not text. After 20 seconds, the slide moves on automatically. It’s really powerful when you manage to speak just as the slides change.
“The only type of talk that has ever intimidated me is PechaKucha. It’s terrifying.”
PechaKucha talks began in Tokyo by an architecture firm called Klein Dytham, back in 2003. They wanted to invite architects to talk in a social and relaxed atmosphere. Since then, the format has spread all over the world.
An amazing format for inspiring people
Oscar doesn’t think PechaKucha is a good format for serious communication of ideas, to present details. Instead, it’s an amazing format for communicating passion, for inspiring people.
You can watch Oscar’s awesome PechaKucha talk this year at PocketGamer Connects Helsinki. He admits to have “cheated” by using moving images, instead of static.
His piece of advice on preparation for PechaKucha talks
First, decide a theme, topic. Then collect a set of images. Make sure you always give the attribution to people when you use their imagery. Look for iconic, recognizable statements in the image. Also look for consistent styles, contrasts among your set of images. You can first collect 40 images, and later narrow them down. The next step is to define one sentence per slide. Once the slides are ready and you rehearse, check your timing. Make sure to fit into the 20 seconds. You can rehearse in front of a friend who gives you honest feedback, and pay fine attention to her reactions and response.
Related: The Power of Storytelling from Movies
Favorite quotations
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” – Albert Einstein
“A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.” – Groucho Marx
“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.” – Blade Runner movie
Recommended book
Influence. The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
Routine to Shine
- Practice the power of three: repeat, repeat and repeat. The same can be learn from Nirvana’s grunge songs that escalate from very quiet to loud and noisy.
- Get a hat, or some prop that makes you recognizable.
Links
Oscar’s Book: Game As A Service
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[…] Oscar Clark always wears a hat, which has become famous in the game community. He recommends us wearing a hat or something else that creates a visually recognizable outline, been seen everywhere. Do you remember Churchill’s cigar? That prop made him recognizable. […]