Having some stuff in your back pocket

During media training sessions, towards the end of our working together, I ask the principal to think back to specific scenes. Whether the person is a filmmaker or an actor, it’s a good idea to think back on a day of shooting. What was the day like? The weather? Did anything out of the ordinary take place? Did a particular scene go in an unexpected direction? If you had the opportunity, what would you have asked your fellow actor, or your director about what they had in mind when they accomplished a particular scene, stunt, look, feel, or emotion?

It's good to reflect and come up with a few questions regarding these ideas. If you end up on a panel, doing a duo interview, or you make a talk show appearance, you will have plenty of material to work with.

It gives you the confidence to turn to one of your colleagues and ask a question to get an interesting conversation going. Or if the interviewer is at a loss for words, you can jump in with an anecdote, observation, or a story about this one event, scene, etc.

Having something in your back pocket adds color to any situation and is interesting for all involved, whether it is the audience or your interview partner.

— Suzanne