presentation breaking bad

Presentation Hacks , Stuff Presenters Like

Presentation Tips from Breaking Bad

By: Stephanie Fulton

At Ethos3, we are always looking for outside inspiration to use as a great example for storytelling, or visual elements, or call to action, and so on. This example is on structure , and how the pilot episode of AMC’s Breaking Bad showcases this.

The YouTube channel Lessons from the Screenplay breaks down how this episode effectively sets up characters, conflicts and keeps the audience wanting more. It follows a structure that is common for TV shows, which outlines like this:

The tease is supposed to dangle something in front of the audience, which makes them curious, enthralled, on the edge of their seat and wanting to know more. The first moments of Breaking Bad are intense. We see the protagonist Walter White racing through the desert in a RV with a gas mask on. We see two bodies floating around in a foaming liquid all over the floor. The RV crashes, Walter gets out and holds up a gun to the approaching police cars. The opening credits roll.

Right away, the audience is sucking into the chaos that Walter has created, yet we don’t know who he is or what has happened that lead up to that moment. But now we want to, and we will continue to watch the show to find out. You can do the same with your presentation. Put your audience in a situation that only you, your product or your service can solve. This can be told through a story or theme. Present a problem and hold back the solution until the end.

The first act of Breaking Bad’s pilot introduces the viewer to Walter in his normal, everyday life. But we can tell something is missing. He has no control; not in his job or marriage. This helps us understand why later in the show he makes his decision.

Use this same concept in your presentation. The next section should give the audience a backstory about who you are, or who your company is. The audience must understand why you are speaking in front of them.

The second act is the action that leads to the moment where things will never be the same. Act 1 ends with Walter passing out. This act begins with him being told he has lung cancer. This set the premise of the show, as the video describes:

The protagonist’s life is turned upside-down when X happens, to they decide to do Y.

Walter’s life is turned upside with his cancer diagnosis, and we are about to find out what he does next.

This is a big moment in your presentation as well. You have presented a problem, established your credibility, now you need to tie this in with your audience. What is the turning point for your audience? How will you step in to solve their problem?

Act 3 is when we see Walter White become the Walter White that will carry us through the entire series. He is trying to come to terms with his mortality and find a way to make sure his family has enough money to live off after he is gone. He’s a chemist and his brother-in-law Hank is a DEA agent. While riding along with Hank during a drug bust at a meth house, Walter sees a former student of his, Jesse Pinkman, escape arrest. This is Walter’s leverage. He knows he can make meth, and can make money off selling meth. He knows Jesse has nothing to lose, and has the connections to create their own drug ring. Walter’s desire to make money overcomes his fear of getting in trouble, and he is willing to destroy himself to achieve that goal.

For the presenter, the third act of your presentation should be the delivery of your three main points . You have the setup, the problem, the background, now it is time for the solution. This should be simplified to three points that are easy for your audience to remember. This section should also showcase your passion and expertise for the subject you are presenting on. Make this your moment to show the world how you are unique and have something new to put out into the world.

The final act comes full circle to the very beginning. We see how Walter and Jesse end up in the desert; how two bodies ended up inside the RV; and the audience is eager to find how what will happen next.

This should serve as inspiration for the final act of your presentation. Your opening story or theme should come back around and tie in how you can solve your audience’s problems and here’s how you will do it. There needs to be a call to action that will lead to your audience wanting to learn more, or even become your next client or customer.