Below are my notes for Hollywoodlife interview after reading recent photos of Robert Pattinson. Check out the links below to see the photos I read and then my insights.
http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2012/06/04/robert-pattinson-body-language-sexy-pics/
In a recent interview Robert Pattinson (The actor who played
in Twilight) said he felt so scared about taking on roles other than Twilight.
Looking at recent photographs during a press event for his new movie Cosmopolis.
Does he look comfortable? He does look
fairly comfortable though he is showing a slight lack of confidence by the lack
of space he takes up and the asymmetry of his gesture clusters in many of the
photos. Under confident men place their feet apart more of six to eight inch
range. Look at all the men’s feet in the first group.. See how he has his heels closer together than the other three men. Also
look at that first photo and see how he has his arms close to his body and his
hand in his pocket and in addition has his body at a slight tilt.
That shows a little protectiveness.
We show ourselves straight on when we are super confident.
When we aren’t super self assured we may stand or tilt and present
asymmetrically.
The most interesting thing I think is how he is interacting with the guys. He is
feeling a difference in his power and relationships.
Remember
how he was often interviewed and photographed as part of a couple or love
triangle in the twilight press conferences. I read hundreds of those press
conference photos. In this press conference he is often shot looking at the men
and lowering his head and shoulders as
he listens. I think here its not necessarily a lack of comfort of
self-confidence, but respect, the
recogogntion he is not the alpha male of the group. He's interacting
with experienced, powerful men he is feeling the difference of interacting with
young co stars and an adoring young female audience and that is making him
nervous.
The
photos were he is laughing show a great ease and delight. There is one
particular photo where he is laughing leaning forward with a full open mouth
and teeth showing that indicate a true
playful laugh that you actually don’t see very often at press conferences. (Tom
Hanks and Julia Roberts are rare exceptions they both have that wonderful
laugh) What is interesting to me is how
he is dealing with other people.
He does put his hand over his mouth in a few of photos in way that suggests he is unsure
or lacks confidence, but the laughing photos show me that was just a little
blip in his other wis not sure he is speaking.
The toothpick is a nice prop. Men
use this little sharp weapon like a artifact to say, remember I am the cool
guy. Note he didn’t just finish eating corn on the cob he is
at a press conference. So we know he is choosing that prop to enhance his
image. Toothpicks also serve as a comforting prop. There are so many nerve
ending in and around the mouth and chewing the toothpick stimulates the nerves
and creates a soothing chemical response.
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at
http://PattiWood.net.
Also check out the body language quiz on her YouTube Channel at
http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.
