As defined by Dennis
J. Sporre in Reality Through the Arts, direct address is “a
technique whereby the actors appear to address the audience directly”
(Sporre, pg. 179). Asides from viewpoint, crosscutting, tension
build-up and release, direct address is another method used by
directors of film to capture the audiences attention (Sporre, pg.
172-173). I have recently taken a film class where this
method was discussed, but my professor referred to this method as “breaking 4th wall.” This term is very old, dating back to Ancient Greek theater as stated in Theories of Performance by Elizabeth Bell. The fourth wall is the imaginary wall between the actors on stage and the audience. Traditionally, the actors would perform on a three walled stage of a proscenium theater, so the front of the stage would be like an imaginary wall (Bell, pg. 203). When a character gives direct address
or breaks the 4th wall, the actor acknowledges their fictionality by directly or indirectly addressing the audience (Bell, pg. 203). I have seen this mostly seen this method being used in comedies. We watched many movie clips in my theater class and I remember one such clip with Charlie Chaplin where all kinds of shenanigans happened and then he turned stared directly into the camera. Sporre defines this as the camera look (Sporre, pg. 173). Other silent film actors that were known for using the camera look are Buster Keaton, Stan Laurel, and Oliver Harding (Sporre, pg. 173). I think the first time that I ever saw direct address being used was while watching a 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. I think that this is a very engaging and successful method to use in comedies.
method was discussed, but my professor referred to this method as “breaking 4th wall.” This term is very old, dating back to Ancient Greek theater as stated in Theories of Performance by Elizabeth Bell. The fourth wall is the imaginary wall between the actors on stage and the audience. Traditionally, the actors would perform on a three walled stage of a proscenium theater, so the front of the stage would be like an imaginary wall (Bell, pg. 203). When a character gives direct address
or breaks the 4th wall, the actor acknowledges their fictionality by directly or indirectly addressing the audience (Bell, pg. 203). I have seen this mostly seen this method being used in comedies. We watched many movie clips in my theater class and I remember one such clip with Charlie Chaplin where all kinds of shenanigans happened and then he turned stared directly into the camera. Sporre defines this as the camera look (Sporre, pg. 173). Other silent film actors that were known for using the camera look are Buster Keaton, Stan Laurel, and Oliver Harding (Sporre, pg. 173). I think the first time that I ever saw direct address being used was while watching a 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. I think that this is a very engaging and successful method to use in comedies.
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