Direct address is a technique used by film and stage actors to connect with the audience, by either speaking to the audience or giving them a direct look. Direct address is a method used by directors of film as a method to capture the audience's attention. In Fall of 2012, I took a film class where this method was discussed, but my professor referred to it as “breaking 4th wall.” The fourth wall is the imaginary wall between the actors on stage (or in a movie) and the audience. When a character gives direct address or breaks the 4th wall, the actor acknowledges their fictionality by directly or indirectly addressing the audience. I have mainly seen this method being used in comedies. The first time that I noticed direct address being used was while watching the 1990's teen sitcom show, Saved By The Bell. On a regular basis, the main character, Zack Morris, would turn look straight into the camera and talk to me. I thought it was just the funniest thing! When we watch a movie or television, we are always the outsiders looking in on all the action, so it was a bit of a treat to be talked to directly, as if you were a part of the show. Below is a clip from the 1977 film Annie Hall, starring Diane Keaton and Woody Allen, where Allen's character, Alvy, breaks 4th wall.
More information and examples provided in the link below.
(Ideas and information in this blog was pulled from my Liberal Studies project on Cinema)
No comments:
Post a Comment