Creating impactful Keynotes – Ideas from a movie

Has anyone watched Wes Anderson’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” starring Benedict Cumberbatch?

It’s a movie centred around storytelling, where every sentence feels intentional, moving the narrative forward in an engaging and purposeful way.

What captivated me most about the movie was its simplicity. Each sentence is short, yet full of meaning. The film is brief but powerful, telling a complete story in a short time.

There was no need for elaborate words or complex structures—just straightforward storytelling! It’s this kind of storytelling that leaves a lasting impression.

In today’s world of shrinking attention spans, being direct and focused is so important and storytelling remains essential for cut through.

This movie also got me thinking about how speakers can share their stories in a similar way.

When you strip away unnecessary words, your message becomes clearer and more impactful. This approach is powerful and memorable. Speakers can benefit by ensuring every word has a purpose, making their message more accessible and engaging. You don’t need endless time to make an impact—just make sure every moment counts.

I absolutely love and recommend watching this movie, especially if you’re a speaker. As someone who has produced countless Speaker Showreel Days, I’ve know that the speakers who stand out are those who can share their stories in a concise, impactful manner.

I highly recommend watching this movie with this key message in mind.

Like the movie, as a speaker your keynote message should leave a lasting impression—not through length, or unnecessary words, but through its impact.

Creating impactful Keynotes – Ideas from a movie

You might also like to read