Paul Ekman, Differences between Fear and Surprise

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Paul Ekman, Differences between Fear and Surprise

Today Show Body Language Boot Camp

JANINE DRIVER is the founder and president of the Body Language Institute, located in Washington, DC. She is also a body language and deception detection expert and certified business coach who has appeared on NBC’s Today, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, and Larry King Live. Janine travels the globe speaking to the corporate world on the fastest way to save time and grow business. Visit her online at lyintamer.com. Janie Driver is the author of several books on body language, her latest book is You Say More Than You Think: Use the New Body Language to Get What You Want!, the 7-day Plan.◦

Today Show Body Language Boot Camp

The Spying for Lying Oscar Goes To...

I am lucky enough, because of my work with computers and the movie business over a decade ago, to see each and every screener movie (where studios make available a copy of the dvd for people who vote for awards, they market to the actual voters with the idea if the movie wins the award(s) it will become more profitable and gain more exposure).

So here are my thoughts of this crop of movies:

The Hurt Locker, WOW this movie was really good, it would have been so easy for the director and the actors to go "over the top" -it is a study in powerfulness through subtleties. The way the director captures fear in a side shot, close up of the taxi driver's eye is just one of the many ways she captures emotion in this movie. I'd say something to this director I never say, "I'd work as body language, gesture, emotion consultant for free on your next project" for the opportunity to work with you, but you don't need me- you nail human emotion... especially in the face and eyes. Jeremy Renner is nominated for 'Actor in a Leading Role' and the facial expression you give the audience while brushing your teeth while talking to a member of the team right after another actor says, "...I'm pretty sure I can figure out a..." is perfection- not often does an actor convey so much in five seconds on screen. These are just a couple smaller things that get me stoked about the Hurt Locker, I could give you a couple much more bigger moments but I do not want to give any more of the movie away. The Hurt Locker is nominated for 9 Oscars, it would be a total shame if it ends up a shut out. War movies and Oscars don't usually mix, but I see at least one win in your future, maybe more.

Avatar, how can we not mention this largely actorless movie. While actual people donned sensor suits, the majority of the movie was done with computers and if you watch it you cannot tell. Having been a part of similar, earlier and much lesser advanced projects like this, I can tell you I appreciated the way the tails moved and the grass and vegetation showed motion. The best thing about the technology is you are transported to a different world and you do not even notice it after just a few short seconds. This is what movies are supposed to do, cause the audience to suspend reality.

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire, the movie is powerful and at times hard to watch. As Precious, Gabourey Sidibe plays a pregnant teenager who struggles to overcome years of abuse at the hands of her parents, and she is nominated for 'Actress in a Leading Role' and I'm impressed. She will not win because she was picked by the director from obscurity and people are wondering how she was able to show so much emotion in subtle ways. We cannot know if she "acted" or if because of her own life and experiences. Regardless she was able to nail the character. If you can handle the content it is worth viewing this movie.

Up in the Air, I liked the movie, while the main characters are not the best with their gestures and facial expressions... the clips of the people being fired were top notch. Many showed true emotions and a few even showed micro expressions.

Now some of my other notes, not necessarily related to the content of this site:

Best movie to watch with the family (young and old) The Blind Side.

I didn't 'get' District 9 but watched the entire movie, which is more than I can say for Inglourious Basterds.

Movies not recognized by the Academy but were promoted by studios that are worth mentioning:

Another movie I did not get, is the wildest ride, darkest, wondering if it is going to end up being a dream at any point is the movie Antichrist. Middle America avoid this movie, it did win several awards overseas and at festivals.

The movie that really hit me hard was The Road. It will likely not affect you in the same way it did me. I love documentaries (this is not one) and having seen Food Inc, Super Size Me, and Going Further- all documentaries related to our food supply- and watching a movie that is a struggle to survive in a world no longer capable of sustaining life... the movie and some of the scenes were a bit much for me.


Back to a movie that is nominated for 3 Oscars is, Crazy Heart, -I really liked this movie. It will likely be lost in the shuffle. Jeff Bridges plays, "Bad Blake" and does a good job in it, but it doesn't stretch his acting abilities, but he is consistent in his 'playing' of the character. Jeff Bridges is an actor where his own likable personality shows through in every role he plays. "Bad Blake" is not a hero, but he is likable and you pull for him, while at the same time you want to slap him around a bit... And that is why I told- all those who asked my opinion about this crop of movies and actors- about Crazy Heart.◦

The Spying for Lying Oscar Goes To...

Agony and Exhaustion and the weird things we do to compensate.

Jo Lawn is helped after winning the 2010 Ironman New Zealand on March 6, 2010 in Taupo, New Zealand.

Here we see Jo Lawn completely drained and sticking out his tongue. This is not a tongue jut. When we are stretched to the breaking point we often do some unique things to compensate.

One time there was crime scene photographs showing a man in a hotel room, shoes and pants and belt on, while his suit jacket shirt and tie (still tied but the knot very tight and pulled down so he could remove them all in one motion) lay in a ball four feet from him, with the shirt sleeves still in the jacket. The time of death was the night before and the body had been there until the maid had opened the door to clean the room. An incorrect assumption was made, because of his partial state of nakedness, that he had paid and been in the room to meet another person and it was important to find that other person. Police officers had fanned out talking to anyone and everyone asking if they had seen the man with someone else... It turned out he had a heart attack. When you have a heart attack you have a difficult time breathing and it feels like a elephant is sitting on your chest. When this man felt this sensation he was attempting to relieve the pressure by quickly removing his clothes. When he was faced with the intense pain of a heart attack he did something unique to compensate, but not all that uncommon.

In the above photograph we see Jo Lawn sticking out his tongue, possibly in an attempt to remove his tongue from his mouth to make his mouth bigger so he can take in more air; or maybe he is sticking out his tongue in an effort to soak up more air with his tongue like a leaf would soak up the sun. We cannot expect to know the what the modification is for, and if we would ask him why- later after he has recuperated- it is highly likely he would not believe you when you described what he did, and would have no memory of his feelings or motivation at the time.

It is important to recognize when people are stretched to their limits- either physically or emotionally- their outward facial expressions and gestures may be extreme and not follow normal reasoning.◦

Agony and Exhaustion and the weird things we do to compensate.

Music for the liars, cheats, braggarts, wind-up merchants and deceivers.

I came across an article on the web about music's ability to showcase deception. The readers recommend the following top ten songs:

1 It's Not True The Who

2 This Masquerade The Carpenters

3 God Knows I'm Good David Bowie

4 Religious Vomit Dead Kennedys

5 Satan Lied to Me The Louvin Brothers

6 Sexy Sadie The Unthanks

7 The American Ruse MC5

8 Bin Laden Immortal Technique

9 Long Lost Penpal Hello Saferide

10 I Drink Mary Gauthier


DID you know there is a play list for the iPod called "Cheating Songs?"◦

Music for the liars, cheats, braggarts, wind-up merchants and deceivers.

"Good Morning" and "How are you?"

Research conducted by Professor Albert Mehrabian of the University of California, Los Angeles, 55 per cent of the emotional message in face-to-face communication results from body language. 7% is the actual words chosen.38% is the tone of voice. It becomes the 7%-38%-55% rule, supposedly denoting how much communication was conferred by words, tone, and body language. The reason I say "supposedly" is because the actually percentages are debatable; what is clear there is a great deal going on beyond the words. Yet I rarely mention how the tone of the voice, does in fact convey emotion.

Take the next couple of days and make it a point to greet the people you interact with on a daily basis and pay attention to the minuscule differences in their tone when you greet them. Often times it is just paying attention to differences in tone that makes all the difference.◦

"Good Morning" and "How are you?"

Professor David Matsumoto: How to Spot a Lie with the Naked Eye on ABC 7

How to spot a lie with the naked eye.◦

Professor David Matsumoto: How to Spot a Lie with the Naked Eye on ABC 7

Pride, Confidence, Arrogance or All of the Above?

LUDACRIS arriving at the premiere of ''Brooklyn's Finest'' at AMC Loews Lincoln Square Theatre in New York City on 03-02-2010.◦

Pride, Confidence, Arrogance or All of the Above?

Janine Driver: Body Language on the Job

Our body language sends signals to our bosses and co-workers all the time. Body language expert, Janine Driver shows us some gestures that could impact your career.◦

Janine Driver: Body Language on the Job

Lick Lip: HSBC Women's Champions

Suzann Peterssen of Norway during the third round of the HSBC Women's Champions at the Tanah Merah Country Club on February 27, 2010 in Singapore.◦

Lick Lip: HSBC Women's Champions