The differences between the third and fourth wall in entertainment vary. The fourth wall is an obvious break from traditional acting, where the audience is invited into the action by direct talking such as narration. The third wall has more subtle elements which allow the platform’s audience to know it’s an illusion, without directly involving them.
- The fourth wall has actors that interact on a stage or platform knowing there is an audience watching them covered by an invisible wall. Breaking this fourth wall is more obvious where the audience is let in on the action by characters, narrators and within the action of the story.
- The third wall uses an interaction which is more subtle compared with breaking the fourth wall. The third wall is more often used in movies and television programs. The stage employs techniques that allow an audience to have a more personable experience without the obvious break a fourth wall offers.
What Exactly is the Fourth Wall?
Historically the Fourth wall is known as a more modern day phenomenon. However, the Ancient Greeks first produced plays for their citizens by using interactive dialogue with audiences with dramatic plays and sayter plays.
The fourth wall is an entertainment element that depicts actors interacting with each other on a stage or platform. They act as though the audience does not actually see or hear them. This creates a fourth wall which is actually invisible. This has the effect of creating an imaginary circumstance where the audience is invited to buy into the action and stage business presented in front of them.
Most plays, musical theatre, television programs and movies use the fourth wall technique in their depictions.
It is rare for actors to break the fourth wall in most theatrical, and musical theater performances. Their main objective is for the audience to experience the action as though they are a witness too or emotionally invested in the action, but not physically be part of the act itself.
Examples of the Fourth Wall
This performance is a pure example of a fourth wall performance. No interaction with the audience, and they are merely witnesses or observers of the action. In fact most acting entertainment depicts their mediums using the fourth wall.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
Breaking the fourth wall is a method utilized by directors, and writers to create a unique and impactful style of storytelling. Breaking the fourth wall invites the audience into the action of the story. For example, many Shakespearean plays have characters who comment on the play’s progress or actions of other characters.
In The Merchant of Venice: “I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; / A stage where every man must play a part, / And mine a sad one.” (Act 1 Sc 1)
It is as thought the character realizes that he is in a play, being acted out on a stage in time and place while at the same acknowledging the audience.
There are plenty of examples of movies, cartoons, tv programs and even marvel characters who have used the breathing of the fourth wall successfully.
Good examples of movies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gefuh_PVW8s
Examples of Breaking the Fourth Wall
- The young Ones UK TV series
- Ferris buelers Day off
- High Fidelity (2000)
- Filth (2013)
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- Miranda UK TV series
- Annie Hall Movie
- Monty Python UK Movies and TV series
- The Big Shot
- Deadpool
- Fleabag
- Alfie (1966)
- Spaceballs (1987)
- Goodfellas (1990)
- Kuffs (1992)
- Wayne’s World (1992)
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
- Fight Club (1999)
- Amélie (2001)
- 24 Hour Party People (2002)
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
- I, Tonya (2017)
What Exactly is the Third Wall?
The “third wall” is the “barrier” that, according to popular parlance, keeps the characters in a play, TV show, or movie from realizing that they are, in fact, fictional. The plot must change in some way to deal with characters who are aware that they are fictional characters when they break the third wall, which occurs when they discover or accept that they are characters.
In a nutshell, the third wall has one or more characters realizing that they are fictional characters in a fictitious circumstance often interacting with other characters whom do not share their awareness that they are fictional characters.
So characters acknowledge that it’s a film, without actually acknowledging the audience.
The fourth wall breaks the illusion of acting directly and breaking the third wall is breaking the illusion indirectly.
If your’e interested in learning how actors steal acting scenes in movies, check out our blog link here.
Check out the following examples of the third wall in these movie, television shows.
- Narration is often used to break the third wall.
- Freeze frames with voice over
- Looking or staring into the camera acknowledges the camera without actually addressing the audience.
- Can allow an audience to acknowledge the mental states of the narrator
- The audience recognises it’s just a film and interact passively while recognising that fact.
You can also break the third wall by using elements such as the sound or sound effects. One particular movie starring Jack Nicolson plays Francis “Frank” Costello who was an Irish American boss mobster whom is the main antagonist of the 2006 live-action movie The Departed.
During the movie the music is lowered for the audience to better hear the dialogue also to show the power balance of certain characters. The use of silence and sound boldness is used deliberately by Martin Scorsese in the is movie with great effect.
Why audiences Love these Walls
Audiences love to have an inside view or experience of the action of an entertainment piece. They love the humor or unique drama this type of spectacle offers. It brings audiences ‘closer’ to the action, as well as the character interactions. It is an effective way for an audience to feel that they are part of the dialogue, script, action and production.
Why productions companies, writers and directors choose the third wall in their movies.
The use of breaking of the third and fourth walls is employed by many directors and playwrights to offer audiences a unique perspective. when executed well gives the audience a different and more than often very memorable experience. It allows creatives to take risks in their work and find satisfaction when it is carried off well on a given platform.
- Sketch Shows That’ll Leave You in Stitches!
- The Benefits of Drama in Education – Innovative ideas for all subject areas
- Spotlight on Parody: Unmasking the Hilarity in Theatrical Satire
- The Beauty of the Black Humour Genre
- Maori Legends are Fantastic for your Theater Productions
If you are interested in seeing the movies above, please consider purchasing a Prime Movie membership from Amazon. Amazon Through Prime Video, Amazon offers quick, free shipping as well as limitless movie and TV programme streaming. Additionally, members receive free books, unlimited photo storage, and other benefits. Visit to find out more about the advantages of a Prime membership.
