Breaking the Fourth Wall

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I love the use of the fouth wall in The Office (TV series). The fourth wall is actually played as if it is a character in the show.

[AdminAssistant]

I think the reason it works for The Office is because it's shot like a low budget reality show about an actual office. I personally don't care much for the show, but it's a good concept.

[siead_lietrathua]

CHIMICHANGAS!

sorry, i cant resist. i am a Deadpool geek after all, the comic character for being best known for breaking the forth wall with the subtlety of a mack truck.

[Kaylyn]

CHIMICHANGAS!

sorry, i cant resist. i am a Deadpool geek after all, the comic character for being best known for breaking the forth wall with the subtlety of a mack truck.

LOL, I was waiting for someone to bring up Deadpool.

[Hyena Dandy]

The Fourth Wall goes back many millennia. The ancient Greeks would use it from time to time.

...Your point?

[Ipecac Drano]

...Your point?

Just saying that there were earlier examples than what were previously given. Sorry if it had brought you any ill.

[Hyena Dandy]

Just saying that there were earlier examples than what were previously given. Sorry if it had brought you any ill.

Ah. I just wasn't aware anybody had claimed that these shows created breaking the fourth wall.

[HYHYBT]

I think the reason it works for The Office is because it's shot like a low budget reality show about an actual office. I personally don't care much for the show, but it's a good concept.

I've never seen The Office, but that sounds a lot like the way 30 Rock is done. Great way to make an otherwise interesting show unwatchable, if so, and IMVHO (because at least I know I have no taste.)

[Ipecac Drano]

Ah. I just wasn't aware anybody had claimed that these shows created breaking the fourth wall.

I'm afraid that the word we're looking for is "used".

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I've never seen The Office, but that sounds a lot like the way 30 Rock is done.

I've watched both shows and I don't think 30 Rock uses it the same way. In The Office, characters actually glance at the camera, and when they do, they convey exactly what they think about what's going on without uttering a single word. And it's either excruciating or hilarioius (and usually both).

In most episodes, they actually have a "confession" shot where a character is actually sitting in private with the unseen cameraman, talking about something.

If I'm remembering right, probably the most "in your face" use of the wall in that show was in the British version, where the character of Tim pulls off his lav mike and turns it off. The audio goes dead and the very emotional, tense scene is shown in complete silence. I think had that scene been shot with audio, it would have lost most of it's impact. The character deliberately and obviously is seeking privacy from the unseen character in the room, which is the "wall."