Communication skills, as well as knowledge how to provide and receive feedback properly, are key points of effective and successful interpersonal relations. And as any theory it is better understood on practice. Thus, I would like to analyze two videos from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air series while watching them with and without sound.
In the first video where Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian try to get Carlton and Will from jail it is important to pay attention to the behavior of Uncle Phil. When watching this video with sound you obviously may here how confident and angry he is and how it influences the officer’s behavior. But when switching off the sound the impression is totally different. You may see that both men are arguing, Uncle Phil is not satisfied, he tries to prove his point of view, but his dominance and confidence are not observable. This comparison shows us the power of voice and its effect on our perception of speech. It is also proved by the second video where Will tells Carlton about discrimination. Their conversation without sound looks like ordinary argue between two boys, but when switching volume on one can hear Will’s emotions and irritation which makes people consider, evaluate, and feel the message about such an unacceptable social issue as racial discrimination.
I would also like to analyze the scene from Clueless where Cher has a speech in front of the class regarding refugees in America. Classmates totally ignore what Cher says being busy with anything but listening to her. Even though they do react appreciatively at the end of her speech, it is obvious that they would do the same no matter what Cher told. Of course, if anyone receives feedback like this he/she will not be pleased or satisfied. In this case it is important to not lose confidence and self-discipline. One should remember about the target of the speech and continue the way no one guesses the reaction of theirs could distract the speaker. You always have to know your audience. It is also important to try to keep contact with those who are interested in what is said. For this reason speaker can stop suddenly to find out who reacts, try to say something interesting unexpectedly so that to catch attention of the audience, or ask question (involve into the discussion) someone from the audience. If it is possible to quickly analyze why people react the way they do and improve that then do it. But it is not easy to do both things (talk and analyze), thus, one can get lost in his/her speech.
Audience always feels the attitude of the speaker about the topic discussed. If speaker is inspired with the topic audience will most probably accept and share this inspiration, but if the speaker considers his/her presentation pointless the feedback of the audience will not differ.
Works Cited
kjcanda. “Carlton Learns About Discrimination.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 5 Nov. 2009. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
Kruse, Kevin. “How To Receive Feedback And Criticism.” Forbes. Forbes.com LLC, 12 Aug. 2014. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
pgfjnr. “uncle phil gets will and carlton out of jail.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 10 Jan. 2010. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
MOVIECLIPS. “R.S.V.P. - Clueless (1/9) Movie CLIP (1995) HD.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 8 Oct. 2011. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
