Q. Why 20 seconds and 20 slides as opposed to anything else?
PE: 20x20, 400 seconds is the length of a good pop song.
PechaKucha is very rock n roll. 6:40 is a bit longer than Bohemian Rhapsody, and a little shorter than Hey Jude.
Q. How did you get involved in PechaKucha?
PE: My excellent friends Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein in Tokyo are the founders. Mark mentioned it to me about six years ago. It took me a little while to take notice - but once we did, we assembled a little organizing group here in Chicago and we haven't looked back.
Q. How many presenters are showing in Chicago, and who are they?
PE: There'll be about 8 - including Filmmaker/Designer Rujanee Maharakanjana - the best PechaKucha nights are an eclectic mix of creative types.
Q. What reaction does the audience have at these events?
PE: It varies by city - but Chicago audiences are attentive, encouraging, and craving the passion that invariably emanates from the best PechaKucha presentations.
In my opinion, a good PechaKucha audience is a little tipsy. A great one is well lubricated.
Q. What I'd your favorite thing about PechaKucha night?
PE: The conversation. Meeting new people. Hearing new things. Being surprised. Being delighted and inspired. Although I am the host in Chicago, I don't see the presentations beforehand, so it's like a whole evening of gifts. And who doesn't enjoy that?
Q. Any other interesting and fun facts you would like to add?
PE: 501 PechaKucha Nights around the world. So if each of them attracts 250 people, and they do at least four events a year, that's ½ million people in the audience at PechaKucha night.
Wow!
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