Saturday, May 27, 2017

Statement Analysis Practice Through Movie Dialogue

With formal training, the instruction of principle,  including the understanding and application, upon completion, is just the beginning. 

Complete Statement Analysis is an at-home course in which the new analyst learns the general principles of deception detection as well as the application. 

Successful completion of the course is where it all begins. 

It is here that the basic tools are now in the hands of the analyst who must now learn how to use them.  

With enrollment in our course, we provide 12 months of e-support, which provides feedback and guidance in the course of study. 

With enrollment, we also provide one free of charge access to live, on-line team training held at Go To Meeting.com. 

Here they meet other analysts, instructors, investigators, journalists, writers, and experts from a wide variety of fields and work together for a common goal.  

Team analysis now allows the analyst exposure to a wide swatch of human nature within the world of crime.  It is, as to say, monthly access to the incessantly unexpected.  I caution new analysts that this training is "addicting", which they soon learn why.  They are involved in a supported team environment of the most detailed dissection of statements, literally entering into the language of criminal suspects where intellects range greatly. 

Most will sign up for at least a year of training, and find that at the end of a year, detecting deception is no longer challenging.  They run at or near 100% accuracy.  

With this, they are ready to move into the area of profiling where the words of a subject reveal to them the subject's background, experiences in life, motive that drives him, and most interestingly, the subject's personality traits. 

Sometimes there work is compared to a known psychological evaluation diagnosis.  

With formal training, the overall obsession with language becomes routine, and at a certain point, is no longer "shut off."

Recently, I was asked to provide some suggested movies to watch.  

Movies?

Analysts find that, often in their second year, that they are incessantly analyzing conversations, including television.  

I urge them to expand their internal data base of language through reading and analyzing to not only further practice but to learn more about human nature.  

I recommend the writings of John Calvin on human nature, as well as Shakespeare.  The popular series, "No Fear Shakespeare" is a great way to expose oneself to his understanding of human nature as they are small paperbacks of some of the most brilliant writing the world has ever known.  On the left side is the original text and the right side (page) has modern English.  After a few chapters, the reader leaves off the need for translations.  

The Brothers Karamazov and the short stories are recommended.  Here your heart is ripped out by the writing of tragedy and then handed back to you.  

Interrogations:  The Nazi Elite in Allied Hands, 1945, by Richard Overy I double up on because here you can see the transcripts of answers of men of extreme intellect in justifying evil.  Even in second language, there is a great deal to mine. It is sobering.  

Natan Sharansky's "Fear No Evil" Gulag experience and coping is amazing.  This speaks to interrogation and interview resistance and the will of man.  

There are so many others (I will give another list soon) but the key is to seek out reading that will cause you to be exposed to human nature well evidenced linguistically. 

Now here is some fun to have while practicing the art of listening. 

Classic Movies

Modern movies rely upon gratuitous violence and nudity, which caused a precipitous drop in scripted dialogue.  To practice the art of listening, I challenge you to step back a few years and embrace movies where the scripts are written from books and the actors had to rely upon skills rather than special effects.  

Silent movies are fascinating because of the facial expression communication of which body language analysts enjoy, but here we are focusing on dialogue. 

Clever dialogue is stimulating to listen to, including turning away from the face and just listening and analyzing in practice.  These writers, even when scripting deception, use deception most often appropriately.  

Entertainment Value:   In these old classics, you're likely to find much emotion elation and joyful conclusions, and not as likely to watch an overweight woman fall down and pass gas, as you are today.  

Rapid Fire Dialogue 

This form of dialogue takes concentration (remember that?) to follow.  Here are just a few recommendations:   

1940's "Pride and Prejudice" is my favorite insult movie.  The lines move quickly and the insults delivered in rapid fire writing. Edna May Oliver is priceless. 

 Some others I recommend:

"The Philadelphia Story" explores human nature (greed, ambition, selfishness, redemption, etc)  as does the insulting 

" His Girl Friday" which, if you blink, you'll miss an insult.  

"The Thin Man" with William Powell and Myrna Loy...I love the entire series. 


My favorite period is the naughty "pre code" period, where one may "balance our account" to describe infidelity. (1930's "The Divorcee" and "Gold Diggers of 1933" represent the serious to the comedic.)  1931's "Dracula" is frightening and a few lines are spine chilling but it is mostly the face of Bela Lugosi making evil banal that is most effective. 

"Three on a Match" shows drug addiction and the hallowed vanity of chasing riches.  It is tough to watch. 

Helen Twelvetrees can reduce you to tears in "Millie" when she says with the world's saddest eyes, hangs up the phone and says  "that was my mother.  She says for you to be good to me" to her new husband on their wedding night , who, as you might guess, was not good to her. 

Twisted but sadly accurate, "Of Human Bondage" accurately portrays why men do such self destructive things over obsession with a woman.  

It was from the early 30's that Hollywood's addition of musical scores reached its peak in 1939, where even the "b" movies shine today.  

The all female cast of "The Women" starring Norma Shearer unashamedly explores how women think and feel.  

1942's "Casablanca" is not a feel good movie, but when the French citizens unite in song against the Nazi occupiers, its hard to not feel inspiration.  

"Topper" is fun while one of my favorite Joan Blondell movies is where she deals with the topic of a conscience that begins to bother her, more and more, under the tutelage of a professor, in:

"Good Girls Go to Paris"  She was comedic genius.  


Human nature does not change, and the relations between men and women in these movies leads modern critics who write reviews to issue caveats and politically correct apologies.  

"Gone With the Wind" 

"My Man Godfrey" 

"Stagecoach" shows the brutality and tenderness of human nature. 

"Grand Hotel" 

"Little Lord Fauntleroy" and "Captains Courageous"

"Jezebel" will show what selfishness looks like in a shocking way, as a moment of emotional satisfaction is exchanged for a life.  

"Imitation of Life" 

"Manhatten Melodrama" addresses dignity, principle and friendship. 

"The Charge of the Light Brigade" deals with vengeance and rage. 

Although later, "The Searchers" shows the irrational side of hatred. 

"Wuthering Heights" gives insight into humiliation's impact upon human nature. 

1938's "Holiday" had the depression era's view that those with wealth just had to be wrong...my parents talked about waiting on line to see a movie that was sought as a form of relief during the Great Depression.  


To see Greta Garbo laugh, after all those silent movies, is worth the price of rental, but when you hear her ask, "Must you flirt?", you'll be glad you landed:  "Ninotchka."  

"Goodbye Mr. Chips", "The White Cliffs of Dover" and Greer Garson in "Mrs. Miniver" are touching with strong dialogue.  


Unashamed love stories, war accounts, and deeply moving films including Mae Clark's performance with "Waterloo Bridge" which deals with  prostitution is tragic and heartbreaking.  

"The Divorce of Lady X" is silly  fun, and you'll have to turn up the volume a tad to hear Lawrence Oliver's banter with Merle Oberon, while ignoring her eternally adorable face expressions copied from UK's Jesse Matthews ("There Goes the Bride", another  must see). 

"The Awful Truth" tells the truth about male insecurity and jealousies.  

"Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington" is an initial glimpse into corruption.  

"Dinner at Eight" 

"The Bishop's Wife" is warm hearted, though the early movies of Loretta Young are special.  

Many of the movies from the 30's from the UK are dialog first movies and enjoyable while being useful for our purposes of practicing following dialog.  I'm convinced that after a polite greeting from a Brit in 1935, that I have just been complimented while I know I've been horribly insulted. 

There is far too many to list but the key is learning to listen even while enjoying movies and the writing must be intelligent, clever, and with an understanding of human nature.  Although I love movies that elicit tears and will watch anything with Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire (Ginger Rogers is just fine without him), Myrna Loy, Edna May Oliver, and so many from the "Golden Era" of Hollywood, seek out clever dialogue.  

It's useful and it's enjoyable.  

If you have some classic movies you love and can recommend those with snappy dialogue, please add to the comments section.  

I've left off my love of musicals as they are not dialogue first, but it is hard not to smile and follow Maurice Chevalier "Love Me Tonight", (if you like Disney's Beauty and the Beast", you'll recognize where the opening scene came from) and "The Merry Widow" --he's very funny. "Top Hat", "Shall We Dance" "42nd Street" 

"Naughty Marietta" with Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy is good enough to get the Mp3s.  


and one of my favorites movies that did not even make the "B" list, but remains fun to laugh at:    Alice White:  Naughty Flirt can be found on You Tube.  She was an inspiration for Mel Blanc in his "Bugs Bunny" tails, as you might guess from the picture. 


Make your recommendations in the comments section...and enjoy! 








34 comments:

Charles Crisp said...

I am not "jumping on the bandwagon", but Citizen Kane deserves all its accolades and then some. For many reasons it is reckoned as the greatest movie ever made by knowledgeable film buffs. You will have no desire to sit through, I'll say about 99% of, movies made in the last forty years or so after you've seen Citizen Kane.

Tania Cadogan said...

off topic BBM

Two kids were found dead in Parker County, Texas after being locked inside a hot car.

Police say they were called to the 200 block of Rambling Loop just west of Lake Weatherford and found two children, a 16-month-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, who were found unresponsive by their mother from suspected extreme heat exposure.

Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said it was reported shortly after 4 p.m Friday when the temperatures had reached approximately 96 degrees and a heat index value of 102.

The mother told police her kids were playing inside the house in the sunroom when they just “took off” and somehow managed to get into their car and locked themselves inside. She said they had her phone and her keys inside with them.

The mother says she searched the area and finally found them inside the vehicle and broke a window but found them unresponsive.

Both children were pronounced deceased at 4:33 p.m. The medical examiner identified them as Cavanaugh and Juliet Ramirez.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/05/27/two-texas-toddlers-found-dead-inside-hot-car.html

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Charles Crisp,

Citizen Cane deserves mention.

As to not sitting through 99% of the movies after watching it?

I wish I said it.

Peter

Charles Crisp said...

Ghost/Titanic a close second!

Anonymous said...

I just watched "Housesitter" with Steve Martin & Goldie Hawn...light hearted comedy/romance...lots of deception from Goldie Hawn...lol cute movie!

Anonymous said...

Star Wars is a classic. Way better than ET.

Anonymous said...

I didnt know Gordie How was in Housesitter. Are you sure?

Anonymous said...

Arsenic and Old Lace.

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Arsenic and Old Lace: CHARGE!!!!!!!

Titanic??

Did you mean "A Night to Remember"?

The Leo version, besides special effects, blistered the historical record. I rooted for Leo to sink.

Peter

John Mc Gowan said...

"Whatever happened to baby jayne.

"Mommy dearest"

"Gaslight"

Statement Analysis Blog said...

What Ever Happened Baby Jane!

Knowing how these two hated each other and the reported things that Joan Crawford had done for favoritism (mostly in up close shots in the 30's), makes it even more fascinating.

Its a good movie, but like a few I posted, it ain't the dialogue rich kind.

I love Jeannette MacDonald/Nelson Eddy enough to have their albums ---Naughty Marietta is a blast, but it still has some clever dialogue.

Heather cannot stand when one person looks the other person right in the face and sings...

Peter

Statement Analysis Blog said...

I'm still waiting to see if anyone finds the charm of "Naughty Flirt" with Alice White.

It is rather tricky to find on You Tube at good quality. The old movie fans have to alter the spelling so as not to have it deleted.

I can try to find the link if needed.

It is an acquired taste. It is silly, unsophisticated but the Jersey accent thing works.

There is an adage of pre-code movies:

The racier the title, the tamer the movie.

"Loose Ankles" has a very naughty intro, but it is the name of a dance.

"Sin Takes a Holiday" the same.

Which reminds me of a fantastic dialogue and human nature movie that is a must see. It is

Peter

Statement Analysis Blog said...

"Our Betters" with Constance Bennett.

What happens when a woman is so hurt by a man that she becomes jaded and loses her soul?

Its exploration of human nature is well done. The character begins with a wedding to a lord in England with the intention of being a dutiful and loyal wife, overwhelmed and awed by the responsibilities.

On her wedding night, she learns he has a girlfriend and only married her for the money.

She is deadened from within, sears over her conscience, and takes to a cynical life, until...



Peter

John Mc Gowan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John Mc Gowan said...

"Naughty Flirt"

http://veehd.com/video/4862502_The-Naughty-Flirt-1931-mp4

I'm unsure if this is the full Movie. It's only on for an hour.

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Thanks, John,

its a short movie, as many were in those days.


Its fascinating to see how much people love the "sexist, racist, phobic" movies of yesteryear, before we all knew that gender was arbitrary and everyone was a victim of insult.

I am interesting to learn what the readers here think of various movies.

Peter

Statement Analysis Blog said...

if anyone has TCM, play "The Divorce of Lady X" and listen to Laurence Olivier's character's speech on women and personal responsibility.

No spoiler here, but he revisits the speech at the ending of the movie.

Next, listen to his railing against women in general answered by "Lady X" in the hotel room, especially when he describes himself as a divorce attorney.

I almost posted it once, as a transcript for analysis!

Peter

Statement Analysis Blog said...

Culturally, in spite of hypocrisy of actors' private lives, the scripts (movies in general) reflect a higher view of culture, women, marriage, work, civility, intelligence,

Note that Lady X deceives him but only in a single "yes or no" question. The writer (character) could not bring herself to directly lie and say "I am married." Not once in the entire movie which is based upon this deception, does she tell an outright lie.


Olivier, the jaded divorce attorney who routinely rips women apart on the witness stand for his clients:

"...women don't know the truth about themselves, they only know the truth about each other."

Olivier: "I want to see what is behind those beautiful deceiving lips!"

Merle: "Are you a dentist?"

She duals him with precision throughout the movie, eventually utterly defeating him and his speech at the end, on women, is terrific.

Peter

John Mc Gowan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John Mc Gowan said...

"Witness for the Prosecution"

The original with Charles Laughton, Marlene Marlene Dietrich et al
is one of my all time favourites!

Anonymous said...

Off topic.The case of missing Isabella Hellman.
I looked at lots of articles,and the husband is quoted through third parties,or the journalist will simply sumarise what he said.Frustrating.The second article gives interesting insight,if what the neighbour says is true regarding leaving for England.
Just thought I'd throw it out there,but it seems Lewis Bennett,the husband,is being very cautious with interviews.

http://www.crimeonline.com/2017/05/26/newlywed-mom-vanishes-at-sea-under-mysterious-circumstances-fbi-joins-investigation/

http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/local/what-happened-isabella-agencies-probe-mystery-missing-woman/5reNR5lTYpl2kcOKNxdxaP/amp.html

Anonymous said...

Wow,apologies for the hortible formatting.I updated Google Chrome earlier.This is the first comment I've made today,so I did not realise how horrendous it was.

Anonymous said...

http://www.flkeysnews.com/news/local/article150564207.html

Tania Cadogan said...

some of my favorite films.

A matter of life and death with David Niven.
Any of the original St.Trinian's films with Alistair Sim
Passport to Pimlico.
Kind hearts and coronets with Sir Alec Guinness.
Any film with Dame Margaret Rutherford playing Miss Marple.
A Night to Remember.
The Mouse That Roared.
The Forbidden Planet.
Scrooge(A Christmas Carol)
Jaws.
The pink Panther Films with Peter Sellers.
Carry on Screaming
Battle of Britain
The dambusters
633 squadren
Arsenic and old lace.
Blythe Spirit


I also love listening to The Navy Lark, The Goons and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Anonymous said...

Lolita - the 1961 original with Sue Lyons, James Mason, Shelly Winters, Peter Sellers.

John Mc Gowan said...

OT:

Didn't something similar to this crop up a few years ago?

Research initiated by analyst Mark McClish (Found here..http://www.statementanalysis.com/research/three/) indicated that when a person is deceptive and needs to choose a number within the deceptive account, the number "three" is the one most used. The exception is when a driver has been drinking and is asked, "How many drinks have you had?"

"Just two, officer" is the most common response, with uses the unnecessary word, "just", indicating that the subject is thinking of "two" from a reference point of "greater than" two.

In my own work, I have found Mark's conclusion to be accurate. Psychologically, my research has shown (though interviews) that "2 sounds too little, but 4 sounds too much" seems to be the basis for the choice. PH

http://statement-analysis.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-number-three-in-fake-hate-reports.html

This is not to say that 3 men didn't break into 3 apartments on the third floor and stole 3 TV's etc. It is not part of SCAN training. It's flagged for further investigation.

Caps in headline are not mine.

Three women rape man, 23, for THREE days after drugging and kidnapping him when he climbed into the back of a communal taxi in South Africa

A South African man was left traumatized after being drugged and raped 'numerous' times over three days by three female assailants.

BBM

The 23-year-old's ordeal began when he hailed down a communal taxi in eastern Pretoria on Friday - which had three young women inside.
The taxi began to change direction and the man was ordered to sit in the front.

He was then injected within an unknown substance and passed out, TimesLive reported.
South African Police Service Captain Colette Weilbach said: 'He stated that he woke up in an unfamiliar room on a single bed.

'The female suspects then allegedly forced the man to drink an energy drink before taking turns raping him numerous times a day.
'The South African Police Service take all sexual offences seriously regardless of gender.

'[We assure] all victims of these types of crimes that we will carry out robust investigations to bring offenders to justice.'
The victim was later dumped semi-naked in a field, where he managed to flag down a passing car.
Rape and sexual violence against both men and women are at epidemic levels in South Africa.
It is estimated that more than half-a-million rapes are committed annually in the country.

Rees Mann, of the South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse, said nearly 20 per cent of sexual violations reported were on men.
He said: 'Male victims are much less likely than females to report sexual abuse because police don't take it seriously.'


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4551652/Three-women-rape-man-23-THREE-days.html#ixzz4iT2wTFrC

Anonymous said...

Wow, that must be one hell of an energy drink they gave him!

Anonymous said...

They dumped him "semi-naked" in a field...does that mean he was shirtless? That must have been humiliating for him.

Anonymous said...

The whole ordeal sounds horrifying...most men only fantasize about having foursomes.

Statement Analysis Blog said...

John, what you posted is not Mark's conclusion. His is that " 3 is the liar's number. "

What you are quoting is an interpretation that I have implemented to decrease error by over simplification and errant application. The errors I've seen with this include reliable sentence structure nullified in conclusion just because it had the number 3.

**there are many crimes and endless references to "3" that are truthful.

It's a terribly mis used and misunderstood stat. Read his article.


Peter

John Mc Gowan said...

My Apologies, Peter, i added the link to Marks site before i quoted you. I see now reading it back, and how i followed it with your quote it can be taken for his.

Thanks for the correction

Statement Analysis Blog said...

No apologies necessary, John. I was using it as an opportunity to correct misuse of the point.

I am making headway into it, but its still cropping up too often.

Peter

mom2many said...

I used to watch all kinds of classics with my dad, mostly musicals, but a other genres too. Danny Kaye is one of my all time faves, particularly The Court Jester. Lots of fast, back and forth dialog in that. My husband and I recently watched Gaslight on Amazon Prime.

The Twilight Zone, Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, and Leave it to Beaver are hits with my family, for television viewing.

Anonymous said...

"His Girl Friday" is the top, but all of these are very good.

The Awful Truth is my favorite movie from that era, but Love Me Tonight is
also one of the best ever!