Body Language on Television

In her commentary on Prime Suspect 1, Helen Mirren relates how she visited Scotland Yard and interviewed female Detective Inspectors before filming began. One of the surprising things they told her: "Don't fold your arms!" It looks commanding--it even feels that way--but it actually sends a defensive message

"Keep your arms by your side," they told her instead.

The most authoritative look is for the arms to hang loose from straight shoulders.

Which led me to wonder: Is Star Trek and those leotard type costumes which wrinkle if a person moves wrong in fact good leadership practice?

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