Month: January 2015

On March 26, 2014, the Vatican Insider published the story of Jersey Vargas.   The little Mexican girl traveled from Los Angeles California to the Vatican in Rome to attend Pope Francis’ General Audience. At the end of the Audience, she hopped over one of the barriers and rushed to the front row, and met the Pope. Her purpose, was to speak out on behalf of her father Mario Vargas, currently being held in prison in the state of Tennesse for over a year awaiting deportation. Jersey asked the pope for help.  This resulted in a wave of press attention across the world — and yes, help for her father! Currently Jersey’s sister, Ledyi Vargas is in my COMM 101, public speaking class at Los Angeles Valley College.  The proud big sister, Leydi, brought Jersey to class with her and did a speech about her.  I then asked Jersey if she wanted to give a speech.  She jumped at the opportunity.  And in doing so, inspired the entire class with the power of her words.

Enjoy!

View Michael Bay speaking at the Consume Electronics Show (CES 2014):

“Michael Bay Speaks in Vegas”

If I were given the opportunity to speak with Michael Bay I would ask him two questions. The first question would be, “Who owns the burden of success for your movies?”  According to IMDb.com, Michael Bay has produced 37 movies, and directed 19. Michael Bay is most recognized for the Transformers series.  Box Office Mojo.com, reports that Michael Bay is second only to Steven Spielberg for box office earnings.  Michael Bay’s last 11 films averaged $194.9 million each, and Transformers II, made $402.10 million making the film, the second grossing of all time, first being E.T.  On July 28, 2011, Michael Bay told USA Today, “‘I’ make movies that audiences like, that ‘I’d’ want to see.” With Michael Bay’s words considered, specifically his emphasis on “I,” I think it is safe to assume that Michael Bay would agree that, “he owns the burden for success for his films.” The second question I would ask Michael Bay would be, “Who owns the burden of success for your speeches?”

A speaker must always own the burden of success for their speeches.

Speaker-success must be owned on three levels: level 1, a speaker must own the burden of success before taking the stage, level 2, a speaker must own the burden of success while on stage, and level 3, a speaker must own the burden of success when they exit the stage.

Level 1, Owning the burden of success before taking the stage simply means being prepared on all levels. Following Bay’s presentation the Washington Post, January 20, 2014, responded, “You cannot help but squirm when viewing the video. It is impossible not to feel badly for Bay.  But the teleprompter is not to blame. Bay committed a major communication sin when he took the stage. He was unprepared.” When viewing the video, it is clear Bay was not prepared to manage his anxiety, and he was not prepared to manage his words. He looked physically disheveled and unfamiliar with his stage, his room, and his technology (teleprompter). Speaker-success is all about preparation; and often a speaker’s preparation will be tested while on stage regardless of how prepared they are beforehand.

Level 2, Owning the burden of success while on stage means being prepared for everything including the unexpected. Basic communication theory posits there is a sender and a receiver. The sender is the speaker. The receiver is the audience. The speaker is the one responsible for the success of the communication process because they are the origin of the message! Regardless of what happens during the presentation the speaker is the one whom the audience holds responsible for the success or failure of the message. This truth demands that that the speaker be ready — prepared — for anything and everything that will happen. The speaker must be mentally prepared for people walking in late, people walking out early, phones ringing and vibrating, people texting, computer, audio and visual challenges, and yes teleprompter issues. The speaker must have back up plans, and be ready always to improvise. For Bay it could have been as simple as having note cards in his pocket! If Bay had owned the burden of success while on stage, his exit could have been graceful rather than humbling.

Level 3, Owning the burden of success when you exit the stage means celebrating what worked, and learning from your failures. In college forensics, competition speech, student speakers fully celebrate this crucial truth, the successful speakers that is!  In speech competition each time a speaker delivers a presentation he/she is critically judged. At the end of the tournament all of the participating speakers are presented with ballots to review and learn from. Ballots provide the speaker with all of the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly feedback. The successful competitors — discerning competitors — embrace the criticisms as a way to mature their speeches and improve their performances. The collegiate forensics season spans September-April, and culminates with a hand full of national championship tournaments around the country where thousands of students from around the nation gather to celebrate speech. Speakers will attend, and speak at 10-15 preliminary tournaments through out the year. In between tournaments speakers critically evaluate the judges feedback and apply it to their presentations; often rewriting, or  sometimes even completely scrapping a presentation based on what the judges — the audiences — are saying. Hence, the competitive speakers that go the distance, are the ones that most seriously own their burden when they exit the stage. Following Michael Bay’s presentation in Las Vegas, he was critically evaluated by hundreds of newspaper and journal articles detailing his failure. Hopefully he learned something…?

Owning the burden of success when you exit the stage is perhaps the most important  component of the three levels, because practicing this is the key to learning and improving!   It’s also the most challenging level. While owning success is easy, owning one’s failures demands humility.   Only by owning one’s failures can a speaker step up and do what needs to be done to improve their public speaking.

A speaker must always own the burden of success for their speeches.

Speaker-success is owned on three levels: level 1, a speaker must own the burden of success before taking the stage, level 2, a speaker must own the burden of success while on stage, and level 3, a speaker must own the burden of success when they exit the stage.

And… owning the burden of success not only applies to speech… but also to everything in life.

The King’s Speech II

After I wrote my first speech in Fall of 1991, my speech coach Marty Tarras, after reading what I wrote — or “trying to read it,” I should say — looked at me, and with the harshest of terminology (see Practical Lessons From “The King’s Speech” I) questioned my mental ability.

Thank you Lord for Marty!

Marty knew that I had enough self esteem to bless me with the words I desperately needed to hear! I did not realize it at the time, but Marty was coaching me in both speech, and life! It was clear to Marty that I had some pretty unique, if not severe challenges — and that I was VERY immature! I was in real need of a wake-up-call! If I was going to be a part of the competitive public speaking team at Los Angeles Valley College, Marty was not going to coddle me with candy-coated-words or enable me to continue writing like a 2nd grader (I was 22 years old)! Marty, without pulling any punches, directed me in the art of public speaking, while at the same time forcing me to acknowledge, confront, and overcome any and all challenges that would otherwise prevent me from properly composing and delivering any and all future presentations to the best of my ability.

In the film The King’s Speech, we meet a very challenged individual (The Duke of York, and soon to be King of England), and his speech coach (Lionel Logue). This sensational movie chronicles a very scared man’s journey as he addresses his worst fear, and his greatest challenges…while the whole world is listening! The film also depicts his ultimate triumph, and the great empowerment realized by: 1) submitting to direction, and 2) committing to direction!

SUBMITTING TO DIRECTION

“The King’s Speech,” offers us a tremendous example of an individual submitting to direction, and in doing so, making the seemingly impossible…possible!

Public Speaking is the number one fear in life!

For most people, “There is no greater challenge in life – than public speaking.” When you add to this fact, that often individuals are cursed with – or blessed with depending on how you look at things – other obstacles in life, public speaking can seem like a totally unworkable task. The film artfully, very realistically, and with great accuracy portrays not just the fears and challenges most people face with speaking publicly; but The Duke of York (Oscar winner, Colin Firth best actor) is also burdened with arguably more challenges than most people could ever conceive of. He is haunted by a tortured childhood and as a result he is oppressed with a very sever stutter in his voice. Furthermore, he is suddenly thrust into the position of King of England during a time of war, as a result of his selfish older brother failing to live up to his duties as the King of England following the death of their father.

King George VI had a speech-specific-handicap, and the highest profile public speaking position in the world.

As the King of England he was called to lead and inspire his nation, and the world, against Hitler! With speeches! Thankfully, King George VI was blessed with a loving and discerning wife, Elizabeth, who sought help for her husband. Elizabeth sought direction for her husband from a very eccentric speech coach named “Lionel Logue” (Geoffrey Rush). Lionel was unapologetic in demanding total submission to the direction he gave his students…regardless of who they were!

Early on in the film Lionel makes it very clear that, he is in charge, stating, “My castle – my rules!”, and later,“my game – my rules!” It did not matter that Lionel was working with the Duke of York, what mattered was that his student (who happened to be the future King of England), had to be willing to submit to direction! I always tell my students and clients:

“Public speaking is 5% direction, and 95% doing!”

Truth be said, public speaking, once you understand how to manage your nerves and properly prepare and structure your thoughts and information, is really simple! Lionel even acknowledges the simplicity of his direction in the film twice saying, “I like to keep things simple.” In reality – once an individual embraces and puts into practice the “simple-direction” regarding their public speaking anxiety, and embraces and puts to practice the “simple-direction” regarding foundational mechanics of how to properly compose and deliver a speech, the rest is about the individual doing! SPEAKING! And taking every opportunity to do so!

If an individual truly desires to improve their public speaking ability, the person MUST put into practice the “simple-direction” they have been given! They must SPEAK, and take advantage of every opportunity to do so!

Sadly however, most people do not like to submit to any direction in life – even when it can greatly improve, and often empower their overall wellbeing and position in life (school, work, hobbies, relationships, anything and everything!). The Duke didn’t even look for or find Lionel, it was his wife Elizabeth. And as witnessed in the film, the Duke had to be dramatically humbled before he would submit to the simple-direction Lionel so passionately wanted to bless him with. Twice in the film Lionel stressed to The Duke, who to his dismay Lionel insisted on addressing by his boyhood name “Bertie,” “Trust and total equality – no exceptions!” At their first meeting, it’s clear that the Duke is reluctant to receive the help his wife has secured for him, and thinks himself far superior to Lionel. While Lionel is evaluating The Duke in his own unique way, The Duke as if his time is being wasted says to Lionel – with a very condescending attitude – “Are you going to start treating me…?” To which Lionel responded, “Only if you are interested in being treated!” Lionel knew that if “Bertie” was not willing to submit to his simple-direction, that he could not help him!

If someone truly wants to overcome a challenge, and improve with anything, they must be willing to submit to direction!

At the end of their first meeting, the Duke tells Lionel that he will not be continuing with his services and walks out; but soon after, desperate and realizing he has no other options Bertie humbly returns, and says to Lionel, “I’m willing to work hard!” Once Bertie stopped acting like he was a King with a peasant, and realized that he had to submit to the direction of his speech coach, his training became very effective and ultimately lead the soon-to-be-King-of-England to discover his voice, to lead his nation, and the world! However, the key to Bertie fully realizing and reaching his full potential was not just about submitting to the direction of his speech coach, but also committing to the direction he was being blessed with.

COMMITTING TO DIRECTION

In the film we see Lionel give Bertie a variety of exercises to help prepare him for his speaking engagements. Once Bertie humbly began submitting to and committing to the direction Lionel was giving him, Bertie begins to — with real confidence — negotiate very effectively his challenges (on all levels). Lionel has Bertie sing silly songs, recite nursery rhymes, do breathing exercises with his wife Elizabeth sitting on him, tongue twisters, humming out of open windows, calisthenics, rolling around on the floor, publicly practice in a grocery store, cursing aloud, head clearing walks in the park, dancing, and perhaps most challenging – Lionel insists that the Bertie bare his sole to him through personal narratives (not unlike the cultural narrative assignment in Speech 101, class). At one point in the film, Bertie protests Lionel’s direction to sing, but Lionel boldly responds that, “Rules are Rules…SING!” And to Bertie’s credit, he submitted to the direction of his coach…and he sang!

I always tell my competitive speakers, and professional clients:

“Stay humble, or you will stumble.”

I frequently give my students seemingly silly direction as well. I know certain exercises can very effectively help people overcome their challenges, sharpen their presentation styles, and ultimately secure success every time they speak, IF they are willing to commit to the direction! Every presentation deserves 100% commitment throughout the entire process, on both a preliminary level, and a performance level; because every audience deserves 100% commitment. I recently had a client (CEO of a Fortune 500 Company) call me because, his words, “I had a speech go really poorly.” I immediately asked him, “How did you prepare?” To which he responded, “I knew you were going to say that.” He continued, “I did not prepare like I did for the last one, that went so well,” i.e. he did not fully commit to the direction he had paid me to give him – even though it had served him well in the past…and he knew it! He did not even need to call me.

AGAIN: PUBLIC SPEAKING IS 5% DIRECTION, AND 95% DOING!

Some people celebrate the direction fully…but most do not. Bertie did! In one scene, he proudly, but humbly tells Lionel, “I’ve been practicing an hour a day.” Later in another scene Bertie is seen practicing in the car while on a trip with his wife. He tells his wife, “I have to keep doing this!” I often tell my students “The more you practice, the more prepared you will be; and, the more confident you will be when you speak.” You can’t get rid of the fear of public speaking, but you can manage it. You can’t get rid of the butterflies in your stomach, but you can get them to fly the direction you want them to fly. Practice, and preparation are foundational to managing anxiety. There are also fear-management-specific exercises, which can seem silly, but if a person will commit to employing the direction, they will discover the ability to herd their butterflies with great success! “You needn’t be governed by fear,” Lionel tells Bertie. This is so true.

I always encourage my students to employ internal positive refrain. IPR is basically internalizing positivity by: employing catch phrases, acknowledging your unique and individual strengths, and imposing your will on the audience. Bertie, as encouraged by Lionel committed to practicing IPR. Bertie, as the King of England, when speaking would repeat in his head, “I have a right to be bloody well heard.” And when pausing between lines, he would repeat, “God save the King.” This was witnessed at the end of the movie, when the now King George VI of England is presenting the most important speech of his royal life.

As a result of 1) submitting to direction, and 2) committing to direction, The King’s most important speech was a great success!

It even appeared as though the King enjoyed the experience. Following the King’s speech, Bertie looked at Lionel, with a small but visible grin, and stated, “I suppose I’ll have to do a great deal more of these.” Public speaking is the greatest fear in life; however, more often than not when a person successfully negotiates a great challenge (skydiving, fire walking, swimming with sharks, or public speaking!) the experience becomes enjoyable because of the exhilarating and empowering high, and great sense of achievement that accompanies the success. I often tell my class that, “Speech is the great equalizer!” This means that when an individual is given the stage, no matter what their position or place in life may be (King, or Walmart greeter), when an individual has been given the stage it is their opportunity to be heard; and the opportunity MUST be fully embraced and celebrated.

Are you fully embracing your opportunities to be heard?

My dad (Gene Smith) is one of my biggest fans and helpers. He is always doing things for me, and offering help in all aspects of my life. Specifically for our purpose here, my father is always searching for, and passing to me articles from magazines and newspapers that have to do with public speaking. Recently my dad found a great article in Readers Digest. Discovered in the Work Digest section, dated May 2011 – the article is titled: “Master Your Presentation, Five Lessons from The King’s Speech.”

If you have yet to see the movie “The King’s Speech,” the film is based on the true story of Prince Albert’s struggle to overcome his public speaking challenges. Not only does he have a stammer in his voice, but like most people, he fears public speaking more than death itself! The movie is both an entertaining, and very real depiction of the struggles most people face regarding the challenges of public speaking – not because of the King’s stammer, but because of the fear he experiences, and the steps he takes to overcome.

Prince Albert, be it begrudgingly, seeks help, and embraces the direction of his teacher…his speech coach!

In the article writer Jesse Desjardins offers five public speaking tips she contends are observed in the film: 1) Have faith in your voice. 2) Admit you need help. 3) Put in the hours. 4) Leverage experience. And 5) Be a true version of yourself. I’d like to offer my own thoughts on each of Desjardins five tips.

1) Have faith in your voice.

I always tell me students, “Exploit your gifts.” Everyone…everyone…has unique qualities and strengths that make them special and individual! And more often than not, people often don’t even realize that even special challenges like a stammer in one’s voice can develop into a very enduring quality to be exploited for personal success, rather than to be ashamed of and silenced. While the King did manage to iron out his words for important speeches, the stammer did not completely leave. But it is the stammer that made him so real to his people. Furthermore – the fact that he could stand up and address millions of citizens with a stammer made him appear to be a fearless and great leader.

I myself have dyslexia. For those of you who are unfamiliar with dyslexia – it means my brain misfires! My thinking is scattered, and unfocussed. My spelling and grammar are atrocious, and my mind refuses to calculate any math beyond that needed to balance my check book. However, years ago, when I realized I wanted to be a competitive public speaker in college – I discovered that the only way it was going to happen was that if I was persistent. I even had a speech coach, after reading my first speech, ask me if I was “retarded”! Thankfully, my parents had instilled in me enough self esteem to shrug off the comment, and the work ethic and drive it took to overcome my challenges. Desjardins ends her commentary on having “faith in your voice” with “The secret here is to persist.” I could not agree more. If you are persistent…anyone…can overcome any unique challenges they might have with their voice (specially the fear of public speaking) and be able to stand up and speak with strength and pride.

2) Admit you need help. In the movie, Prince Albert – who would reluctantly become King George VI, which would mean a lot of public speaking – finally “checked his ego,” and took the advice of his wife, Elizabeth, and sought help from a speech coach. If the Prince had not first, listened to the guidance of his wife, and second, embraced the direction of his coach he might have failed as a King. Thankfully for the people of England, their King proved to be both a humble man, and a respected voice for his people.

After my coach (Marty Tarras – thank you!) asked me if I was retarded, he continued, “kid, you might look and sound good in front of an audience, but if you cant write properly you’ll only get so far.” I did not want to get “only so far”! I wanted to excel. So after some soul searching, I decided to enroll in an English class in an effort to improve my writing. I was at Los Angeles Valley College at the time. It was during my 4th attempt at community college. To my surprise I had to take a placement test to establish which English course I would be placed in. I tested to low, I had to begin with English 21. English 21, is the class following ESL (English as a second language), and did not even count for college credit. It was a humbling experience to say the least! Regardless, I submitted (All the while thinking about the “Kid – what are your retarded?” comment) to taking the class. I am fortunate that I did. English 21 combined with my involvement with the speech team, helped me to learn how to properly structure my thoughts. And thank God for spell check! Anyway – had I not submitted to what needed to be done; had I not admitted I needed help, and sought the help…I would not be authoring this blog. I would not be a full time public speaking professor and speech coach! Most likely I would be bartending or selling something! Marty – thank you for calling me “retarded!” You helped me admit I needed help!

3) Put in the hours. Desjardins writes, “It wasn’t until Prince Albert threw himself into the exercises from Logue (his speech coach) that he was able to progress. There is no substitute for preparation.”

Preparation is the key to success. Not only does preparation ensure effective communication via successful presentation, but preparation also gives you the confidence needed to manage the fear of public speaking. Truth be said, there is no getting rid of the fear of pubic speaking, but you can manage it! The fear of public speaking, also called speech anxiety, communication apprehension, or even glossophobia is most effectively managed by being prepared! I tell both my classroom students, and my competitive speakers the three most important things in public speaking are, “preparation, preparation, and preparation.” I really appreciate the words of my church pastor, Jon MacArthur from Grace Community, regarding preparation for effective presentation – Pastor MacArthur says he “practices neglect.” He neglects everything (his wife, kids, eating, the golf course, everything) until his message is properly prepared. There really is not substitute for preparation!

4) Leverage experience. In the King’s Speech, Prince Albert learned that “Nothing improves pubic speaking like doing it.”

Next to “How do I deal with my fear of public speaking,” the most common question I get from my serious students is “How do I become a better speaker.” The answer is “speak!” If you want to improve with your piano playing, you play the piano! If you want to become a fast runner, you run! Whether it’s basket weaving, or brain surgery, or public speaking – if you want to get better at something…you do it! In the 2008 best selling book “Outliers: The Story of Success,” authored by Malcolm Gladwell, Gladwell contends that anyone can be great at something if they are willing to do the time. Specifically, according to Gladwell’s calculations, 10,000 hours is the rule for greatness. Gladwell offers in his book a wide variety of examples of people who put in 10,000 or more hours developing a variety of skills way before ever being acknowledged for their greatness. In reality most people will not be putting in 10,000 hours of speech practice, regardless however, some experience is much more beneficial than no experience. You should take advantage of any and all opportunities to speak, be it teaching Sunday school, speaking at work, the community center, political rally, or even at a wedding – any and all opportunities mean more time and experience speaking. Every time you speak – you will improve!

5) Be a true version of yourself. Desjardins points out that Prince Albert “spoke to more than 50 countries on live radio. He wasn’t perfect, but he was loved by his people – his stammer humanized him and make him a hero.”

I graduated high school with a 1.9gpa on probation for bad behavior, I flunked the first grade because I could not read, I failed algebra a total of 5 times and never passed it, I failed out of three different community colleges, I even failed the written exam for the LAPD (My father was an LAPD sergeant at the time…). I am clearly not a rocket scientist. However, by the grace of God I have been blessed to realize the value of learning to structure and present my thoughts. By learning and practicing the very basic mechanics of structuring thoughts and information my life have been forever blessed. Furthermore…I own, and make no apologies for who I am – the good, the bad, and even the “retarded!” What you see is what you get. Always be a true version of yourself, while at the same time always striving to improve.

Closing Thoughts

If I had to crystallize a particular theme running throughout Desjardins’ article, it would be that direction, preparation, and commitment are foundational to creating and delivering successful presentations.

Also, I believe Prince Albert is a wonderful example of how people when people focus on their strengths, while at the same time actively acknowledging and confronting their challenges — people can accomplish anything they want to!

Duane

“Overcome Your Fears and Speak Effectively,” was an article published in The Toronto Sun on June 23, 2010. The article quipped about how Jerry Seinfeld joked, “Most people would prefer to be in the coffin than giving the eulogy.”

This is so true! I have had the privilege of teaching, coaching, and judging public speaking in the United States for the past 17 years. I have witnessed students vomit, start crying, pass out, and run out of the class. One time, I thought a student was having a heart attack so I called 911 (Emergency number for the US), and within 5 minutes the Los Angeles City Fire Department (Engine, and Ambulance) were parked with sirens blaring in front of my building at Los Angeles Valley College while the emergency technicians stormed into my room…. After caring for the student and diagnosing him not to be having a heart attack, the paramedic turned to me, and very professorially said, “Did you know that public speaking is the greatest fear in life? Your student is having an anxiety attack because of the speech he has to do for this class” …I could go on all day about students being scared! However, I could also go on all day about students overcoming their fears, and successfully standing up and speaking.

When a student takes the time to get proactive with managing their nerves more often than not, he or she is successful. The very first step in controlling fear – as I have told every class, and every client I have ever taught for the past 17 years — is preparation!

If you are prepared, you are still going to be nervous, but your nervousness is going to be controlled because you will be able to lean on the fact that you are prepared.   Preparation equals confidence!  The above mentioned Sun article reads, “Overcoming fear of public speaking requires practice.” I could not agree more.

Often public speaking is referred to as “platform speaking,” this is because one of the many different definitions for the word platform (if you have a good dictionary), is preparation! The word platform, when regarding public speaking means “to prepare on all levels.”   The foundation of any successful public speakers platform is practice!

If you are prepared on all levels, and you have made your practice a priority – you will still be nervous, but you will be in control.   Your nervousness will be countered with the confidence that can only be created by being prepared.

In 1996-1997 while attending graduate school, and coaching with the California State University Los Angeles Forensics team I worked with two other coaches, Josh Miller (who I still work with today), and Dustin Lee Abraham. Before I go any further it is important to clarify that the forensics I am referring to is not dead bodies, but rather speech and debate – competitive public speaking!   The three of us coached the CSLA speech team together, and prior to that each of us had competed for four years. We were what is known in the speech community as forensicators. Dustin all along however, had made it VERY known that he was in the Los Angeles area, originally from Las Vegas, because of Hollywood!   He wanted to be an actor.

One day he stormed into our shared office waving a piece of paper in his hand declaring that someone at a studio saw him read something – and gave him a hefty retainer fee while they decided what to do with his talent. I saw the check! It was surreal.

Dustin also had another friend from forensics, Anthony Zuiker, whom he always talked about!   Whenever Dustin really liked something, he would say, “Tony would say ‘that is on-edge!'” The two had a long history together inside and out of forensics. Dustin gave Anthony credit for writing the things that made him successful at the public speaking competitions…in high school and college forensics, public speaking competitions. In 1994, Dustin won the American Forensics Association title for Dramatic Interpretation of Literature. Anthony had written the drama for him.

Today Anthony Zuiker is legendary for his creation of the CSI franchise. And Dustin writes and produces for the show. I have often wondered how it all played out – well now I know!

I recently stumbled across a beautiful article entitled, “CSI’s Zuiker: I Owe My Career to a Bookie Runner.” The article was composed and submitted by Anthony Zuiker to TheWrapOnTv.com, and published April 13, 2010. Anthony Zuiker explains:

There’s a buddy of mine who now works with me on “CSI” — Dustin Lee Abraham. We were both competing in high school forensics — speech, not forensics medicine — and I used to write his monologues. And he won a lot of tournaments. He beat me to Hollywood and began to take meetings and perform in front of people with these monologues I’d written for him in college. Meanwhile, I was in a terrible job as a tram host at the Mirage. I rode the tram back and forth from the Mirage to Treasure Island for $8 an hour on the graveyard shift. I didn’t like my boss; and my boss didn’t like me. Then one day an agent from William Morris — her name was Jenny Delaney — called me up at work and said, I’m Dustin’s agent; I’ve heard some of the monologues you’ve written — have you ever had any thoughts about writing a screenplay?   I said no, but she said, if you write me something great, I’ll consider representing you. So I walked to a bookstore and bought the book “Screenplay” by Syd Filed, or “The Art of Screenwriting, ” one of the two, and wrote a movie called “The Runner.” It was based on the job Dustin had back in the early 90s as a runner. A runner was a guy who went from sports book to sports book, jotted down the betting lines, and phoned them into an underground bookie establishment.

Anthony writes Dustin “The Runner” to be performed at college forensics (public speaking) competitions. The piece of literature helps Dustin to win a national title. Several years later, Dustin helps get the story — his story — written by Anthony read in Hollywood! And now we have CSI!

What is extra special here – is that both of these guys seem to have a genuine and HUMBLE love and appreciation for each other. And their foundational bond was forensics, public speaking competition.

Very cool!