7 Ways Watching “Hamilton” will make You a Better On-Air Talent

07/06/2020
Posted by: Mike O'Malley
Category: Uncategorized

Hopefully, you were among those who watched “Hamilton” this weekend on Disney Plus. It was spectacularly entertaining with outstanding music, true-to-life emotions, multiple surprises, and stellar performances that left one wanting more. Just like what you want your radio station to be like. Fortunately, inspiration is there for the taking. Here are 7 ways watching ‘Hamilton” will make you a better on-air talent.

1. Find Original Material in the Shadows of the Well-Known

There’ve been plenty of stories told about George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. But Alexander Hamilton? Not as much. His is a compelling story that has been hiding in plain sight. Those things that you do without even thinking about them can be sources of original and relatable stories. Write some of them down and use them as a base for a story that’s never been told despite being right before everyone’s eyes all along.

2. Leverage the Power of a Unique Point of View

It’s a given that Hamilton’s story is worth telling. However, the way Lin-Manuel Miranda chose to tell it adds rocket fuel to the story’s gas tank. From portraying our nation’s first leaders as people of diversity to hip-hop-infused music adds significantly to the non-duplicability of “Hamilton.” Put another way, a good story presented in a way that breaks the chains of the status quo can become an unforgettable story and experience. What have you been doing/delvering/talking about forever that could be reinvented to the delight of listeners?

3. Your Performance is Enhanced when you’re Emotionally Invested

Rolling Stone says the talent of the Hamilton cast is “staggering, with the actors bringing fire to the roles they first played in 2015.” The actors’ abilities to BE the character IN the moment made the audience see and feel real tears, added a rawness to the characters’ emotions. Crazy expressions boosted Jefferson’s antics 5-fold. King George’s deadpans and smirks added dimension to his cartoonish character. On radio, the cadence of our speech, our volume, choice of words, and audio production pieces are all powerful tools that can increase the level of intimacy of our shows. And we haven’t even mentioned stories that reveal our vulnerabilities or give listeners a “peek behind the curtain” at who we are.

4. To Be Your Best, Be Present

Even when you’re not the center of the action, you’re better prepared if you’re in the moment with what’s taking place. Every actor knows that people are watching them even if they’re not in the spotlight – or perhaps especially when they’re not in the spotlight. By staying immersed in the show, you’re preparing to maximize your performance when it’ your turn. No one on stage – no matter how long it is until it’s time for them to perform – checks their email, plays a game on their phone, or takes a smoke break. And for many of the characters on stage, the time between their “mic breaks” is a lot longer than the length of two songs.

5. Insert OTT Surprises

Just when we got used to the abnormals of Hamilton, we meet King George and Thomas Jefferson: King George with his “pomp parody” and outrageous song lyrics and Thomas Jefferson with his frantic stage presence and wild-eyed facial expressions. They remain perfectly in context but their completely OTT (over the top) performance causes us to go, “Wait! What?” And isn’t that the reaction you want to your show?

6. Timing Isn’t Everything, But It Sure Adds Power

In a way, Hamilton’s timing was serendipitous. Originally planned for a theatrical release in 2021, the performance was moved up when the pandemic halted new productions. That its new air date happened to be July 3^rd added urgency and put a timeless story smack “in the moment.” The lesson here is two-fold. 1) Intentionally look for opportunities when your content aligns with the moment at hand. You’ll benefit from added relevance and urgency. 2) Don’t fire until you’ve fully loaded your cannons. If your content won’t spoil in the next few minutes or even hours or days, it could benefit from additional thinking or elements. Consider what other ammunition you can add that will produce OTT moments.

7. Don’t Throw Away Your Shot

A missed opportunity is gone forever. But there are plenty more today and every day ahead. But you have to be ready. Start by actively looking for opportunities. The phrase, “We see what we seek” is so appropriate. Whether it’s the inspiration for a piece of content or an idea for a client, “deliberate observation” is your best friend. But unless you follow through, it’s only good intentions. Stay in the moment. Stay focused. Create and then execute a plan to turn your ideas into actions. Live out Hamilton’s lyrics:

“I’m young, scrappy and hungry
And I’m not throwing away my shot”

It Only Takes Two Things to Be in the Moment

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Image courtesy Disney Plus