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An Interview with Tom Bunzel
Interviewed by Geetesh Bajaj, March 26th 2004
Tom Bunzel (pictured to the left) specializes in knowing
what other presenters need. He has appeared on Tech TV's Call for
Help as "Professor PowerPoint" and spoken at the PowerPoint
LIVE conference in Tucson, Arizona. Bunzel is also a "technology
coach" for the Neuroscience Education Institute giving one-on-one
instruction to physicians.
A prolific writer, Tom Bunzel just completed Teach
Yourself PowerPoint 2003 in 24 Hours for QUE. Tom Bunzel's book
Easy Creating CDs and DVDs was published by QUE last year
and How to Use Ulead DVD Workshop came out in 2002. He updated
the PowerPoint 2002/2001 Mac Visual Quickstart Guide¨ for Peachpit
Press (2001) and also wrote "Digital Video on the PC"
for Micro Publishing Press (1997). He also contributed to "Get
More Out of Your PCs and Add-Ons" and "Make the Most of
Your Digital Photos, Video and Music", also for QUE.
Visit Tom's
site for more info...
Geetesh:
Tom:
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You use both PowerPoint and digital media extensively
- how suitable are they for each other.
Once you learn the basics of capturing and editing video
it's easy to import and control a movie from within PowerPoint.
In fact, you can even trim the movie in a slide if you insert
it as a media clip object, which I cover in the book. I think
that the future of PowerPoint is actually as a rich media
platform.
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Geetesh:
Tom:
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Nowadays, PowerPoint has made inroads into home and
fun stuff like slideshows, multimedia greeting cards, family
trees and even screen savers - what's your opinion about
these non-conventional uses of PowerPoint?
I agree that PowerPoint is venturing out of the business
world and into the living room, and in fact I try to describe
other uses for the features like PhotoAlbum, as you mention,
for family pictures. I also am a big believer in other creative
uses of PowerPoint to storyboard video projects and movies,
to make inexpensive corporate video (by using a video output
graphics card), and I have sent animated Valentine's Cards
using PowerPoint.
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Geetesh:
Tom:
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How and where do you typically use PowerPoint?
Most of my clients need the program for conventional speaker
support. But I have used it a great deal for other types
of training, and have used add-ins like Apreso to teach others
PowerPoint and coach them on presentations. I also use the
program when I write books, to catalog my screen captures
and mark them up for my editors. I have also used the drawing
tools to document different processes and even to diagram
the video and audio cables in my home office.
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Geetesh:
Tom:
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What do you think about PowerPoint, especially in light
of the various "Death by PowerPoint" proclamations
being heard these days?
I think that if the user goes beyond the basic title and
bullet limitations and uses the program creatively he or
she need not be handicapped by any shortcomings on the part
of the program, because it is a formidable platform for rich
media and other visuals. If lazy or sloppy people use PowerPoint
poorly that reflects on the user more than on the program
or its publisher.
If you watch Cliff Atkinson use PowerPoint, for example,
you can see levels of meaning that you might not have gotten
from any other presentation medium.
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Geetesh:
Tom:
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Any tips you would like to share about everyday presenting situations?
Not really. Just kidding. I would encourage speakers using
PowerPoint to tap into their sense of humor with the program,
and to have fun presenting. You can evoke great laughs with
video, animation and surprise elements in slides and help
them convey your message. You can even use the groan that
audiences feel anticipating a boring slideshow to your advantage
if you surprise them with something exhilarating and different.
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Geetesh:
Tom:
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Do you collaborate or exchange feedback with Microsoft on how PowerPoint
evolves.
Ric Bretschneider and I talked a bit at PowerPoint LIVE
and he has my book, and I have put him in touch with a colleague
who use the program professionally in some exciting ways,
but no, I have had no direct input in its evolution. That
would be very cool.
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Geetesh:
Tom:
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Why is public speaking so frightening for many people?
A primordial fear is screwing up and looking dumb, and the
prospect of doing so in front of an audience is even more
terrifying. It's too bad though because it keeps some people
from experiencing the incredible high and satisfaction of
sharing their insights and experiences with large groups,
and getting the energy that happens when a group appreciates
what you have to say. Like any skill, it's just a matter
of preparation, practice and experience, and once you get
into it, you'll never want to be a wallflower again.
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