How to Break the Fourth Wall

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  • Опубликовано: 21 авг 2015
  • Breaking the Fourth Wall is such a creative and unique cinematic technique, but just how much potential does it have? Let's take a look at the various emotional effects a fourth wall break can have in film.
    / nowyouseeit

Комментарии • 3,7 тыс.

  • @elfmonster1476
    @elfmonster1476 4 года назад +6281

    The fourth wall break to rule them all: "No money means..." *cut to voice actors in studio* "NO ANIMATION!"

  • @rey-hp8gm
    @rey-hp8gm 5 лет назад +12583

    The best fourth wall breaking: barbie’s sister complaining she can’t make fire with plastic sticks

    • @maggiejon438
      @maggiejon438 5 лет назад +290

      rey omg same I was so shocked as a little kid. Kinda loved it rho

    • @attractivecrayon7579
      @attractivecrayon7579 5 лет назад +60

      You clearly haven’t seen the office

    • @maggiejon438
      @maggiejon438 5 лет назад +234

      Hi There well it kinda wasn’t breaking it’s just the point of the show. You’re Supposed to think it’s a reality TV show

    • @ittybitykitty6122
      @ittybitykitty6122 5 лет назад +4

      Skksks I remember that

    • @ryomashouta5046
      @ryomashouta5046 5 лет назад +13

      800th like so now you must drink a nice cold Pepsi

  • @nathanskeen5865
    @nathanskeen5865 5 лет назад +9520

    The “we have no fear because paramount signed us for five more years” actually got me

    • @pancakesrule2433
      @pancakesrule2433 5 лет назад +169

      That was hilarious.

    • @dannysankyu
      @dannysankyu 4 года назад +15

      lol

    • @RaitoDenki
      @RaitoDenki 4 года назад +208

      notice that he then gestures that it's only 2 more years

    • @tommyblade8093
      @tommyblade8093 4 года назад +30

      also robin losing that contest got me too xD

    • @jayg6tk
      @jayg6tk 4 года назад +2

      me too

  • @doubyday884
    @doubyday884 4 года назад +3551

    The Amazing World of Gumball literally had an entire episode about the animation stops working when you got no more money.
    Also that one episode from Chowder.

    • @Nugcon
      @Nugcon 4 года назад +24

      The Money

    • @Gattsu_the_struggler
      @Gattsu_the_struggler 4 года назад +50

      I know both of the episodes your talking about. Comedic gold

    • @suf1an658
      @suf1an658 4 года назад +24

      Gintama did this multiple times years before Gumball began

    • @mrspiffy8587
      @mrspiffy8587 4 года назад +23

      I say Gumball did it better than Chowder though.

    • @hellothere4023
      @hellothere4023 4 года назад +3

      Damm I miss chowder

  • @shanebarnes1355
    @shanebarnes1355 6 лет назад +4881

    My favourite use of breaking the fourth wall is actually from a video game.
    In paper Mario 2 there's a villain pretending to be a good guy.
    It's very obvious but no one can tell
    Then when no ones around he says "I know you know but don't tell anyone."

    • @TheCinderDude
      @TheCinderDude 5 лет назад +97

      yes!

    • @darzimus565
      @darzimus565 5 лет назад +104

      That's genius.

    • @endi3386
      @endi3386 5 лет назад +29

      Legendary Legend Don’t exaggerate. Yeah it’s cool, but it’s not genius

    • @darzimus565
      @darzimus565 5 лет назад +6

      @@endi3386 Yeah you're right.

    • @endi3386
      @endi3386 5 лет назад +10

      TheRallyFTW Genius is discovering E = mc2, or creating the Mona Lisa; not a character breaking the fourth wall in fucking Mario

  • @halostar529
    @halostar529 5 лет назад +5339

    Mel Brooks didn't break the fourth wall. He straight up didn't have the fourth wall.

    • @meowtumnluzz
      @meowtumnluzz 5 лет назад +164

      this entire comment implies that Mel Brooks casted every member of the audience to be a part of the show with no pay

    • @thewaterleaf7929
      @thewaterleaf7929 5 лет назад +11

      @@meowtumnluzz lol

    • @KremitDeFrog
      @KremitDeFrog 4 года назад +14

      it's good to be King

    • @imacat839
      @imacat839 4 года назад +12

      Actually they paid him

    • @tommyblade8093
      @tommyblade8093 4 года назад +11

      mel brooks: what fourth wall?

  • @jackcarter8000
    @jackcarter8000 4 года назад +1811

    “Paramount will protect us cause we’re signed for five more years”😂😂that’s the best one. 6:18

  • @duckheadgaming
    @duckheadgaming 5 лет назад +795

    One of my favourite fourth wall breaks is Leslie Nielsen walking around the wall prop while the other characters walk through the door. It's so subtle and you need a second to think "Hey, he wasn't supposed to do that."

    • @theterrorofdimensions1326
      @theterrorofdimensions1326 4 года назад +25

      Lou Costello did that once in front of a live audience on stage, and Abbot actively told him not to do that. XD 😂

    • @billbauer9795
      @billbauer9795 Год назад

      What was the movie?

    • @cloudynguyen6527
      @cloudynguyen6527 Год назад +1

      @@billbauer9795 My best guess would be Naked Gun. Though I don't remember which one.

    • @billbauer9795
      @billbauer9795 Год назад

      @@cloudynguyen6527 Thank you. I'll have to watch them all again!

    • @waltuh11121
      @waltuh11121 Год назад

      Spoof movies usually do that. In one of the Scary Movie series the main character gets hit by a camera in the head

  • @gabrielr1073
    @gabrielr1073 8 лет назад +27911

    surprised you didn't mention Dora the Explorer

    • @kurvduam
      @kurvduam 8 лет назад +244

      +gabriel rodrigues many preschool series do it

    • @ProJatior
      @ProJatior 8 лет назад +289

      +Cesar P yeah it's the most common trait in little children's programming.

    • @spookname3718
      @spookname3718 8 лет назад +162

      You mean every show for young children?

    • @DendyJungle
      @DendyJungle 7 лет назад +619

      these replies are depressing.

    • @spookname3718
      @spookname3718 7 лет назад +49

      Mo oh, is it showing?

  • @AcridMoon
    @AcridMoon 7 лет назад +6567

    If we so rich, why cant we afford no ceiling?

    • @hleghe810
      @hleghe810 7 лет назад +3

      Acrid Moon ?

    • @hleghe810
      @hleghe810 7 лет назад +5

      ***** ok I guess

    • @threestacks9025
      @threestacks9025 7 лет назад +173

      ^you should be ashamed

    • @klystron2010
      @klystron2010 7 лет назад +166

      Because it costs too damn much to keep repairing the fourth wall.

    • @darcybrummett7004
      @darcybrummett7004 7 лет назад +82

      That's my favorite fourth wall break on that show.

  • @Coratlan
    @Coratlan 5 лет назад +547

    Kid Icarus Uprising had so many good ones.
    "How much longer until the end? I'm pretty sure I saw a loading screen back there..."
    "shush you know we're not supposed to talk about that! Theyll HEAR you"

    • @adrianclamens6679
      @adrianclamens6679 5 лет назад +37

      Oh yeah !! The dialogues in Kid Icarus Uprising made a great game even more enjoyable

    • @JaimeD.
      @JaimeD. 4 года назад +11

      *El Principe* Hades stopped the typical end of the story by the credits scene and did the mother of all plot twists.

    • @piemaniac9410
      @piemaniac9410 3 года назад +4

      That game stood out even among nintendos amazing cataloge due to the dialogue and plot. A definite must have 3DS game.

  • @blauesserpiroyal2887
    @blauesserpiroyal2887 5 лет назад +585

    I dont know if this counts as 4th wall break, but my favourite is in the episode "Blink" in dr who. The weeping angels there even dont move if the audience can see them, not only the characters, and I think that makes the episode a lot creepier.

    • @gregallan4291
      @gregallan4291 5 лет назад +109

      That's a really interesting point, the fact that not even the audience, who is typically privy to such offscreen knowledge, doesn't see them move either. Great thinking!

    • @thinhnonyt
      @thinhnonyt 4 года назад +28

      never noticed that... woah

    • @Nyxlave
      @Nyxlave 4 года назад +103

      I loved that, because it implied that the Weeping Angels were at least partially aware of us, which is horrifying.
      And then the whole idea is ruined in their second appearance.

    • @ggoose11224
      @ggoose11224 4 года назад +30

      Nyxlave yeah I love blink, but Flesh and Stone kind of ruined their mysticism.

    • @zlobzor
      @zlobzor 3 года назад +6

      I think I remember Moffet talking about that once. I might be wrong though.

  • @KaliTakumi
    @KaliTakumi 8 лет назад +2079

    7.5 minutes in and I just realised I'm not watching Every Frame A Painting lol

    • @alejosssdo
      @alejosssdo 8 лет назад +93

      *Ding*

    • @jamershun5575
      @jamershun5575 8 лет назад +38

      +Black And White omg I never even realised realised until reading that comment

    • @SambitBiswas
      @SambitBiswas 8 лет назад +2

      +Kali Takumi DUDE :O

    • @dogpupe
      @dogpupe 8 лет назад +1

      +Black And White HAHAHAHHAHA

    • @Optiganone
      @Optiganone 8 лет назад +4

      Guy even uses similar jazz music in his recent videos

  • @iangallagher2446
    @iangallagher2446 7 лет назад +4830

    Yo this guy was my computer science TA and I didn't realize until the end of the video and my mind was blown. That was the realest fourth wall break ever.

    • @NowYouSeeIt
      @NowYouSeeIt  7 лет назад +1622

      Lol hey there

    • @H1K8T95
      @H1K8T95 7 лет назад +764

      This week on *My TA Is A Celebrity!*

    • @anarcocalopsita
      @anarcocalopsita 7 лет назад +690

      now you see it

    • @user-ok3mw7rg1r
      @user-ok3mw7rg1r 7 лет назад +70

      Ian Gallagher your also on a show named shameless

    • @Worst_n00b
      @Worst_n00b 7 лет назад +17

      YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!

  • @galileogalilli3123
    @galileogalilli3123 2 года назад +178

    ferris buellers day off is probably the best use of fourth wall breaks i’ve seen. to this day every time he does it, it cracks me up

    • @ProfessionalHomosexualHater
      @ProfessionalHomosexualHater Год назад +1

      Malcolm in the middle

    • @unicorn69
      @unicorn69 Год назад +1

      @@ProfessionalHomosexualHater That’s a show, not a movie. The best show with fourth wall breaks

  • @RockinRobyn
    @RockinRobyn 4 года назад +410

    In an alternate dimension: “It’s weird that in another dimension our life isn’t a reality show.”
    “What did I tell you about breaking the 8th wall?!”

    • @hellothere5843
      @hellothere5843 4 года назад +1

      @Sam Richards bye

    • @jayshirley8274
      @jayshirley8274 2 года назад +1

      I have no response that would be worthy of your out of this world thinking. You are a creative genius!

  • @Dargonhuman
    @Dargonhuman 5 лет назад +10885

    Damn, if only you had waited another year to make this video... Deadpool man, freaking Deadpool...

    • @Aliah_
      @Aliah_ 5 лет назад +176

      Exactly what I thought!

    • @moony2839
      @moony2839 5 лет назад +44

      Yeah yeah.

    • @Dargonhuman
      @Dargonhuman 5 лет назад +253

      @@moony2839 It would have been super easy, barely an inconvenience.

    • @deez4957
      @deez4957 5 лет назад +78

      He does it all the time in the comics

    • @MatthewCookeOfficial
      @MatthewCookeOfficial 5 лет назад +73

      Deadpool is actually the only example that fits this definition of breaking the 4th wall.

  • @ll-jo5if
    @ll-jo5if 5 лет назад +2005

    Bandersnatch's plot is literally about breaking the fourth wall if you take the right paths

    • @EmeraldHero
      @EmeraldHero 5 лет назад +98

      That game messed me up for like a day, but gotta admit it is actually really good

    • @JT8804
      @JT8804 5 лет назад +22

      @@EmeraldHero ahahah i got stuck really early and gave up. i think i got to the part where he killed his dad

    • @prospectorofdolphins7898
      @prospectorofdolphins7898 5 лет назад +44

      Try playing it late into the night when you get so tired that you desperately want to find a way to end it/finish making the game.........but also stay intrigued enough to find EVERY ending possible.

    • @jamesbizs
      @jamesbizs 4 года назад +2

      Emerald Hero lol no. It wasn’t

    • @EmeraldHero
      @EmeraldHero 4 года назад +6

      j p and? lol? thats not a compelling argument...

  • @daniipieper2486
    @daniipieper2486 4 года назад +70

    I love how Phoebe Waller-Bridge used that technique in Fleabag. I never felt so close to a character on a TV show before. And then she even tops it with the priest noticing her "interaction" with the viewer while all other characters were not aware of her talking to "someone". Just brillant (after a few moments of pure irritation :D )!

  • @ant-fan
    @ant-fan 4 года назад +159

    I'm very surprised you didn't mention Monty Python, since they use extensive and very successful 4th wall breaks, especially in Flying Circus and The Holy Grail.

    • @phoenixragsdale4579
      @phoenixragsdale4579 Год назад +12

      Technically, they did. They included a clip from Monty Python's The Meaning of Life; it's where the guy unzips the African tribesman suit and says, "Hello, good evening, and welcome to the middle of the film!" (starts at 4:01)😂

    • @abebuenodemesquita8111
      @abebuenodemesquita8111 7 месяцев назад

      @@phoenixragsdale4579 no wonder that felt so monty python-eque

  • @rakelandersen3377
    @rakelandersen3377 5 лет назад +1227

    My favorite fourth-wall-break is by Kuzco from The emperor's new groove

    • @gilliganinja
      @gilliganinja 5 лет назад +122

      "Wait how did you get here before us?"

    • @pizzamaster3063
      @pizzamaster3063 5 лет назад +45

      A series of unfortunate events

    • @deedolce04
      @deedolce04 5 лет назад +39

      @@pizzamaster3063 That show is amazing with 4th wall breaks. It's also just amazing in general.

    • @TheBert.
      @TheBert. 5 лет назад +8

      @@gilliganinja you got me there

    • @LloydTheZephyrian
      @LloydTheZephyrian 5 лет назад +54

      He even does a double 4th wall break by interrupting his narrating self halfway through the movie, saying that we just saw, much to his narrating self's dismay.

  • @Justin-Theobald
    @Justin-Theobald 7 лет назад +678

    "A fourth wall break within a fourth wall break that's like sixteen walls

  • @thefuckisgoingon
    @thefuckisgoingon 3 года назад +88

    I feel like Fleabag is a current example and it mastered the art of including it very often with a strong intention behind it. The end of season 2 was amazing in that regard.

    • @soothingbreakdown9878
      @soothingbreakdown9878 Год назад +1

      Lol the heart attack in had after the priest looked into the camera

  • @philingrouille7198
    @philingrouille7198 4 года назад +147

    Is there a 4th wall break where one character asks "are we gonna die?" and the other character says "of course not, have you read the script?".

    • @imthatjuicebox
      @imthatjuicebox 2 года назад +8

      stuff like this happens in SpaceBalls all the time

    • @skateordie002
      @skateordie002 2 года назад +5

      Jim Jarmusch's The Dead Don't Die

  • @MarcLesan
    @MarcLesan 7 лет назад +287

    I love the fact that the "Middle Of The Film" sketch is in the middle of the video, as well.

    • @akatheletterj7342
      @akatheletterj7342 5 лет назад +4

      i thought it was a subtle nod to a fourth wall break in the video itself and it paid off in the end.

    • @togkat
      @togkat 4 года назад

      same

  • @RealRedRabbit
    @RealRedRabbit 7 лет назад +2544

    I feel like these vids started as a college film course project and evolved to a love and devotion of film and it's nuances. great content. Enjoy your 238780th subscriber. Hoping to see you at one million very soon.

    • @NowYouSeeIt
      @NowYouSeeIt  7 лет назад +823

      Bingo

    • @cleo7867
      @cleo7867 7 лет назад +64

      Now You See It explores film themes and tropes. It's like a college film analysis class minus the lecture halls, essay assignments, and student loan debts.

    • @nickswardfather6419
      @nickswardfather6419 6 лет назад +2

      "enjoy your 238789th subscriber"
      u can enjoy a youtube page but you don't have to sounds like a pretentious douchebag

    • @sebastiansanchezchuquimia7734
      @sebastiansanchezchuquimia7734 6 лет назад +3

      its an objective complement for the content creator, dont be so rude, be glad for him

    • @yammmit
      @yammmit 5 лет назад

      The Red Rabbit its nuances*

  • @awesomederpyspider2366
    @awesomederpyspider2366 4 года назад +47

    The scariest fourth wall break I ever saw was where the whole episode had little frequency interruptions, and at first you think it's to give atmosphere, but at the end the "sand-monster" abruptly interrupts the story and reveals himself to have been recording the events and the tape you are watching is in fact bugged with a sort of virus that melts you down into a sand monster. Really chilling, I felt actually uncomfortable as it happened.

    • @emstocks7271
      @emstocks7271 2 года назад +6

      Wasn't that the Sandman episode of Doctor Who?

  • @benwenger1002
    @benwenger1002 4 года назад +87

    I don't think you're giving the Austin Powers joke enough credit. It's less of a 4th wall break and more of a meta commentary on how people pick apart trivial plot contrivances in movies (particularly time travel stories) rather than just accepting them and focusing on the main point of the movie. I actually think that's one of the more memorable and brilliant jokes in the movie.

  • @576737427
    @576737427 6 лет назад +879

    not surprised you didn't mention The Teletubbies

    • @RabidLeroy
      @RabidLeroy 5 лет назад +8

      Jack Torrence there, see? Hook them young on the concept.

    • @cypherusuh
      @cypherusuh 5 лет назад +14

      that show spooked me because they're kind of like The Watcher of marvel universe, an omnipotent, multi-dimensional being that could see anything, anywhere, anytime through their stomach screen

    • @Funkoh
      @Funkoh 5 лет назад +4

      BaZaFa Deluxe *And this is mommy pig*

  • @ClarkManorDesign
    @ClarkManorDesign 7 лет назад +284

    I love this, he shows bad fourth wall breaks, then good ones, then finishes with a bad one, it's like an oreo of fourth wall breaks.

    • @mr.personal-ity
      @mr.personal-ity 7 лет назад +4

      Clark Manor
      But what's not to like about an Oreo? How come nobody else has contested your saying so?

    • @ClarkManorDesign
      @ClarkManorDesign 7 лет назад +11

      I didn't mean to comment of the quality of the oreo itself, more that it's like an oreo in the layering.

    • @peeblekitty5780
      @peeblekitty5780 5 лет назад

      or a pie

    • @godofthecripples1237
      @godofthecripples1237 5 лет назад +5

      I'll have you know I really like the chocolate part of the Oreo, thank you.

    • @exursix
      @exursix 2 года назад

      @@godofthecripples1237 chocolate part of an oreo is good
      chocolate part AND chocolate filling is nawh...

  • @guillermorubio2289
    @guillermorubio2289 4 года назад +37

    I feel like Malcom in the middle did a good job at breaking the 4th wall

  • @joebrooks7218
    @joebrooks7218 4 года назад +9

    4:10 was also the middle of the video. Very creative 👏🏽👏🏽

  • @spacejazz6272
    @spacejazz6272 7 лет назад +417

    Emporor's new groove has a few good fourth wall breaks

  • @aa-to6ws
    @aa-to6ws 5 лет назад +1165

    Wow, this video was -wall- ground breaking...
    *Winks at the camera*

    • @indigovae3579
      @indigovae3579 5 лет назад +18

      wait...what camera?
      are we...in a MOVIE?!
      *pulls Kevin's signature scream to the camera*

    • @shayray8764
      @shayray8764 5 лет назад +4

      The technique of addressing the audience broke down some walls in the essence of writing tbh

    • @sketchyth0ughts399
      @sketchyth0ughts399 5 лет назад +1

      Hey I saw you somewhere. You wrote something about a movie being a moving picture and that you also do that in your animations. Nice vids by the way.

    • @aa-to6ws
      @aa-to6ws 5 лет назад

      @@sketchyth0ughts399 Thank You! I think I need to stop commenting and instead animate something lol

    • @pancakesrule2433
      @pancakesrule2433 5 лет назад +2

      Um, who are you looking at? *follows your gaze*

  • @pancakesrule2433
    @pancakesrule2433 5 лет назад +71

    The Robin Hood one and the "Paramount signed us for five more years was quite funny.

    • @enea_6580
      @enea_6580 3 года назад +1

      Robin Hood is one of my favourite parodies

  • @quentingarcia-ammann4106
    @quentingarcia-ammann4106 4 года назад +18

    I cant believe nobody is mentioning Spongebob, there is some genius fourth wall breaks in that show.

    • @seanlarajames708
      @seanlarajames708 3 года назад +6

      “Hey if we live underwater how can they be....”

    • @rowboat10
      @rowboat10 3 года назад +4

      * fire goes out *

  • @gnalkhere
    @gnalkhere 5 лет назад +322

    I saw Mel Brooks live at a post-screening Q&A of Young Frankenstein so I asked him a question about his enjoyment of breaking the fourth wall this is what he said:
    "When I was young, watching The Three Stooges, I learned how big of a laugh you can make by winking into the camera"
    This was late 2017 so I can't remember everything he said but that point stuck out the most

  • @weirdogiant6886
    @weirdogiant6886 5 лет назад +2858

    How to ACTUALLY break the Fourth Wall.
    Step 1: Look at the camera
    Step 2: Say some random crap.
    You have officially broke the Fourth Wall.

    • @Solusspiritus
      @Solusspiritus 5 лет назад +116

      Common misconception they dont have to look at the camera at all

    • @TallicaMan1986
      @TallicaMan1986 5 лет назад +86

      I agree, but I do think that it seals the deal. Nothing like looking into the camera to make the crowd feel included. I find horror does this, but for the most part badly.

    • @bhuvaneshrooney4044
      @bhuvaneshrooney4044 5 лет назад +29

      @Zayin Frye Take a look at Mr.Robot, He doesn't directly talk to the audience by looking at the camera, but instead narrates the incidents that happen to him to the viewers. That's good fourth wall breaking.

    • @weirdogiant6886
      @weirdogiant6886 5 лет назад +6

      @@bhuvaneshrooney4044 Well, most of the movies I have watched have the characters look into the audience in order to break the fourth wall, so sorry for the misinformation.

    • @KremitDeFrog
      @KremitDeFrog 4 года назад +4

      lmao.. regardless if it is the main character or not, narration is not acting.. the narrator doesn't have any other duties to perform during the entirety of the narration because it's a voice over.. in the case of Mr Robot, it's still narration because the main character himself doesn't break character to acknowledge the audience nor does he suspect or conclude that he's in a fictional work.. breaking the 4th wall is essentially breaking character, and that's personally the reason I enjoy them so much.. if done correctly, the work includes the actors and the audience rather than just the characters the story depicts..

  • @carlaeyyy649
    @carlaeyyy649 4 года назад +10

    Fresh Prince with Will saying they don't have a ceiling is the ultimate breaking of the 4th wall

  • @charlesmayfield3
    @charlesmayfield3 Год назад +10

    Ferris has the best fourth wall break ever in my opinion, the first moment we learn of his attitude, in such an unexpected way as well

  • @treywaka2444
    @treywaka2444 9 лет назад +79

    6:18 "Paramount will protect us cause we're signed for five more years"
    Brilliant

  • @DavidRFIT
    @DavidRFIT 8 лет назад +2907

    Your fourth wall breaking is on par with the one in Austin Powers. :P

    • @NK-xd4fu
      @NK-xd4fu 6 лет назад +69

      oof

    • @__init__
      @__init__ 6 лет назад +133

      Especially considering it makes no sense cause there was no fourth wall to break

    • @damienheemskerk
      @damienheemskerk 6 лет назад +9

      In dogville the first three walls were broken too

    • @declanfraney6372
      @declanfraney6372 6 лет назад +1

      Dogville has such an interesting way to make a movie, too bad it didn't completely capitalize on the concept

    • @saw1sithlord
      @saw1sithlord 6 лет назад +1

      if you're not a young boy then you're probably safe

  • @xandermurdock6131
    @xandermurdock6131 5 лет назад +21

    My personal favorite 4th wall break isn't even in film, it's in SCP: Containment Breach. In the intro sequences, the two escort guards have a randomly chosen conversation. This one sorta breaks the fourth wall, poking fun at our world.
    "So, you see any good movies lately?"
    "I don't really watch movies."
    "Oh ok. Well, what about video games? You know that reminds me, someone should make a video game based on this place."
    "Why would anyone do that?"
    "I don't know, just thought it was kind of a cool idea."
    "Well, I don't play video games either."

    • @whiteface513abandonedchann8
      @whiteface513abandonedchann8 5 лет назад +4

      Dude, Containment Breach's plotline is a giant fourth wall break in disguise. In the ending where the MTFs take the player in for questioning instead of shooting them, it's mentioned that happened because they survived what should be literally impossible to survive, and even predicted things ahead of time, I.E the _player_ died before and knew what to expect. There's that black/white/grey paper that hints at it too

    • @xandermurdock6131
      @xandermurdock6131 5 лет назад +1

      @@whiteface513abandonedchann8 It wasn't about knowing OUR world, it was D-9341 being capable of going back to before he died, and learn from his mistakes, over and over until he succeeded.

    • @whiteface513abandonedchann8
      @whiteface513abandonedchann8 5 лет назад +1

      No, that's not what I meant. The player was the one who remembered everything, the going back was going back to the last save. So basically Undertale before Undertale, and if you ask me, better

    • @jackconway6571
      @jackconway6571 3 года назад

      They do something similar in Batman Arkham City, where a random thug questions if their misery and pain is just some sick twisted simulation, but then he immediately passes that off as a weird thought.

  • @mcfly4959
    @mcfly4959 4 года назад +6

    ferris bueller’s day off is my favorite movie, the fourth wall breaks are so iconic

  • @VaibhavShete
    @VaibhavShete 7 лет назад +166

    'Middle of the Film' comes at the middle of this video! :D XD

  • @VictorFrost
    @VictorFrost 9 лет назад +120

    I wasn't paying attention and, for a little bit, I thought I was watching an episode of "Every Frame a Painting". Awesome video. You just got a new subscriber.

    • @michaeldawson1194
      @michaeldawson1194 8 лет назад +21

      +TheSludgeMan It's music over a video essay. Tony doesn't have a patent on it. Get over yourself

    • @AlliHahn
      @AlliHahn 8 лет назад

      +Victor Frost Same!! This is my new favorite channel, definitely got a subscription out of me.

    • @LivingChords
      @LivingChords 8 лет назад

      +TheSludgeMan On the other hand you have "Frame by frame" which blatently rips off EFAP. this channel strikes me a much more original

  • @Lucylle
    @Lucylle 5 лет назад +8

    I was very little when I first saw the Neverending Story. When the scene came and the Childlike empress was describing Bastian reading the book and how there are even people watching his journey, boy howdy, I damn nearly wet myself from a combination of fear and excitement.
    I'll never forget my first 4th wall break.

  • @wintersoldier164
    @wintersoldier164 4 года назад +8

    I love how Brooks use the fourth wall as a tool for the continue of the story and not just wink to the camera.

  • @timmmmmp
    @timmmmmp 7 лет назад +52

    I love it when characters on The Office look at or talk about the cameras

    • @landox
      @landox 7 лет назад +21

      well that's not breaking the fourth wall in the show theyu are filming a documentary about the office so...

    • @bighoss7504
      @bighoss7504 7 лет назад +2

      Parks a recreation kinda break the forth wall

    • @jasonlast7091
      @jasonlast7091 5 лет назад +1

      He didn't technically say they're breaking the fourth wall so he's objectively right. It's fuck'n great.

  • @GamingHT
    @GamingHT 7 лет назад +65

    'Get the fuck out of my room I'm playing minecraft'

  • @Limes_not_Lemons
    @Limes_not_Lemons 10 месяцев назад +1

    One of my favourite fourth wall breaks that's a little different is a Doctor Who monologue from the series 9 episode Before The Flood, where Peter Capaldi's Doctor gives a monologue about the bootstrap paradox, as it's key to understanding the episode. He gives references to googling the definition, constantly talks right to the audience, then the scene is closed with the opening titles after he plays the guitar, which he then plays the guitar over the normal titles. It's a fantastic scene. A fantastic explaination of a sci-fi concept without sacrificing how entertaining it is, talking directly to the audience without talking down to them either. Love it

  • @tinybubble330
    @tinybubble330 Год назад +8

    I think 4th wall breaks could be really well done when used for horror genres. In Doki Doki Literature Club there’s tons of moments where the characters or narration texts tell you that something appeared in the game files, and checking them will show you some creepy pictures or texts written by the “characters.” There’s also a scene where Monika calls the player by their Steam username rather than the name they chose for the player character, and it’s such a shocking moment that also breaks the 4th wall in a sinister way. Also a very cool use of technology and coding

    • @SourDisc
      @SourDisc Год назад +1

      was looking for this comment 💀💀
      kind of a shame that this video came before doki doki because im sure there is plenty more to be said about it.

    • @tinybubble330
      @tinybubble330 Год назад +1

      @@SourDisc agreed, I think that it’s a very effective way to bring the player out of the story and think “wait what”, then look at the character on screen very differently afterwards.

    • @SourDisc
      @SourDisc Год назад +2

      @@tinybubble330 yeah, and subtle things like how monika's sprite is always facing the "player" unlike the rest of the characters.

    • @HypercatZ
      @HypercatZ Год назад

      How about Eternal Darkness? The game does shit like faking the blue screen of death to increase the anxiety of the player.

    • @SourDisc
      @SourDisc Год назад

      @@HypercatZ I think ddlc does this a couple of times, but it's rare so I've never experienced it

  • @forfluf
    @forfluf 9 лет назад +84

    That last bit caught me off guard.
    I thought you would be a forever heard but not seen type.

    • @oNtuobAwoH
      @oNtuobAwoH 9 лет назад +15

      forfluf yeah, major fourth wall break, I kinda liked not knowing what the narrator of these clips looked like

  • @pppianissimo
    @pppianissimo 7 лет назад +49

    The best fourth wall break I ever encountered was in "The Garfield Show": There's a joke that was like "Oh, we should really rest now. I read there is going to be a dramatic escape on page 9 of the script!" :D

  • @flyingmcmama8816
    @flyingmcmama8816 4 года назад +9

    A great example in a recent film is The Lighthouse where in the climax scene, the light he stares into, which symbolizes infinite knowledge, wisdom, whatever (something that overwhelms him), is us looking right at him. He laughs hysterically as he's consumed by it and stares maniacally into the camera. Really scary stuff.

  • @Midwinter_Snow
    @Midwinter_Snow 4 года назад +4

    The 4th wall break that sits strongly in my mind is from Batman Arkham Asylum.
    The game 'crashes' and restarts, only with Joker and Batman reversed positions. It's a cutscene, but Joker suddenly shoots Batman.
    It brings up the typical 'you died' screen and has a tip saying "Use the middle stick to dodge". Then when you continue the game, it carries on.
    It got me good though, I freaked out at the crash and thought my xbox had broke.

  • @achaoticbee
    @achaoticbee 5 лет назад +197

    The ending of Psycho always creeps me out... It's so subtle but so chilling.

    • @insertclevernamehere2506
      @insertclevernamehere2506 4 года назад +6

      I was just thinking how much the young Anthony Perkins looked like Andrew Garfield

    • @thewhoman3182
      @thewhoman3182 4 года назад +2

      Same with clockwork orange (not the ending tho)

  • @TitanOfClash
    @TitanOfClash 8 лет назад +78

    As he mentioned, breaking the fourth wall does NOT make you a comedy genius.

  • @slothers8685
    @slothers8685 5 лет назад +1

    1:49 that dramatic change in camera quality made it look even better

  • @j_m_b_1914
    @j_m_b_1914 3 года назад +3

    Goodfellas has a really cool 4th wall break towards the end of the movie. Then narrator is talking to us throughout the movie to begin with and then the actor becomes the narrator during the court scene and looks right at us while narrating which I felt was really sublime.

  • @Krwzprtt
    @Krwzprtt 7 лет назад +287

    Fourth wall breaks in video games tend to be pretty interesting in some instances: when it's not just for comedic effect, it's possible to actually push up an interesting point. For exemple, The Stanley Parable makes the narrator, as well as the player, actual characters, making the game's point about choice in video games work pretty well.

    • @alexandriariley5209
      @alexandriariley5209 7 лет назад +34

      A fourth wall break is when you briefly notice the audience. The Stanley Parable didn't break the fourth wall, it shattered it.

    • @Krwzprtt
      @Krwzprtt 7 лет назад +29

      Thomas Riley I don't think a fourth wall break implies it's a brief instant. Or maybe there's down right "no fourth wall" fictions?
      ...as for the Stanley Parable, the fourth wall stays fine if you do what the narrator says. It's when you divert that things so south for that poor wall.

    • @lordmegacom28
      @lordmegacom28 7 лет назад +2

      I'm not sure if this is breaking the fourth wall, but my favorite is in Batman: Arkham Asylum when the game makes you think it crashed, then starts over.

    • @Krwzprtt
      @Krwzprtt 7 лет назад

      LORDMEGACOM Well, in degesis, there is no reason for the fear toxin to cause the hallucination of a graphical and soud glitch, so...yeah totally a 4th wall break.

    • @dylanclarke4930
      @dylanclarke4930 7 лет назад +2

      Another one - Eternal Darkness's sanity effects

  • @dns2001
    @dns2001 7 лет назад +500

    what about dora the explorer?

    • @TornaitSuperBird
      @TornaitSuperBird 7 лет назад +28

      Danyl Vinick, I think you just won the comment contest of this comments section.

    • @poweroffriendship2.0
      @poweroffriendship2.0 5 лет назад +7

      @@TornaitSuperBird I think the real winner is *gabriel r* for being first.

    • @mayolicious69
      @mayolicious69 5 лет назад

      The Queen of the 4th wall

    • @hectorgonzalez3512
      @hectorgonzalez3512 5 лет назад

      You guy won the internet

  • @figgywhipkins
    @figgywhipkins 5 лет назад

    Perfect ending to your video. It took by surprise and did exactly what you were talking about inn the video. Bravo!

  • @weirdofromspace2828
    @weirdofromspace2828 4 года назад +2

    The Monkees, 60s show had a plenty of fourth wall breaks. Some of jokes in Mel Brooks movies are suspiciously alike, for example, the script joke. It’s even more funnier there because characters begin to read it and ask “was it good?”.

  • @sorenharward1674
    @sorenharward1674 8 лет назад +48

    Good video, but you've actually mixed two separate but closely-related techniques: breaking the fourth wall, and metafiction. Metafiction is when a character (or the work as a whole) explicitly acknowledges that they are a character in a work of fiction. Breaking the fourth wall is when a character directly addresses an audience. They're close, but not the same thing. The Blazing Saddles out-of-the-set gag is metafiction, but doesn't break the fourth wall. On the other hand, Ferris Bueller breaks the fourth wall, but isn't metafictional; Ferris is treating the audience he addresses as a character in his own reality, not acknowledging that he is a fictional character. When Abed tells Jeff "I guess I can lay low for an episode", Community is being metafictional, but not breaking the fourth wall. Tomorrowland opens with Frank (George Clooney's char) breaking the fourth wall, but it's not metafiction because later in the movie we find out that he's actually addressing an in-movie audience and giving them the history of Tomorrowland. A lot of Shakespearean fourth-wall breaks are also metafictional, because the character both addresses the audience and says that they are a character in a play or story. The Simpsons Movie, Meaning of Life, and Road to Morocco gags are also both: the characters talk to the audience with an explicit awareness that they are characters in a film. So the techniques overlap, but aren't the same.

    • @brain_apostrophe_t
      @brain_apostrophe_t 7 лет назад +5

      Soren Harward A very good, well stated point

    • @FixTheWi-Fi
      @FixTheWi-Fi 7 лет назад +3

      Soren Harward Huh, so Deadpool is more Metafiction than anything

    • @Jason-qh2nw
      @Jason-qh2nw 6 лет назад

      A Person With a Name two months late, but no because Deadpool knows he's in a film, hence the line "A fourth wall break inside a fourth wall break?" how would he know he was breaking the fourth wall if he didn't know he was in a film?

  • @sanjanapratti7029
    @sanjanapratti7029 8 лет назад +893

    what about Malcolm in the Middle?

  • @Maxaldojo
    @Maxaldojo 2 года назад

    Excellent explanation and some of my favorites! Thanks, Now You See It!

  • @jaydenmiskin3614
    @jaydenmiskin3614 5 лет назад

    I love you’re videos!

  • @june.bubbles
    @june.bubbles 8 лет назад +294

    If breaking the fourth wall is taking the audience out of the action and reminding them that they're watching a film, would drops of water or blood or particles of dust on the lens of the camera count as breaking the fourth wall?
    Let's take the Beach scene from Saving Private Ryan, the look and sound of the scene are very brutal and realistic, and occasional drops on the lens make the audience feel as if they are right in the action. But at the same time, surely this would count as breaking the fourth wall as the director is showing the audience that yes, this is filmed through a lens, not real life?

    • @haloljt
      @haloljt 8 лет назад +53

      He stated that the fourth wall, while often reminding us that we are watching a film, can also be used to pull us into the action. Droplets on the lens are usually an example of the latter.

    • @june.bubbles
      @june.bubbles 8 лет назад

      Benjamin Ljunggren So... you're saying it could be counted as breaking the fourth wall?

    • @haloljt
      @haloljt 8 лет назад +13

      J. Haller Productions Yes kind of, sometimes. In my opinion.

    • @june.bubbles
      @june.bubbles 8 лет назад +1

      Benjamin Ljunggren ok :D

    • @haloljt
      @haloljt 8 лет назад +24

      J. Haller Productions If I can put it this way. it's not breaking the wall in the sense that it's addressing the audience. But when used correctly, it puts the viewer right there on the beach next to the allied forces in Normandie. If you were at the beach, blood would splatter in your face. That is the desired effect. But I'm realising that I'm not very coherent right now. I'm going to have to contemplate this more...

  • @danlawrason3570
    @danlawrason3570 9 лет назад +5

    My favorite 4th wall break was The NeverEnding Story. In it, the book broke the 4th wall when Sebastian was reading the book, and then again telling him that even more kids are following him, just like he was follow Atreyu.

  • @ryuzakilawliet4356
    @ryuzakilawliet4356 Год назад +2

    Best use of 4th wall breaks is I feel in Mr Robot. It litreally creates us a character of the show

  • @PT-on-YT
    @PT-on-YT 4 года назад +1

    I find the best 4th wall breaks are usually when people turn and say what they’re thinking cause it gives you a feeling of like “no shit, that’s what I would say”

  • @Dean444ful
    @Dean444ful 7 лет назад +537

    I love how everyone in the comments is a fourth wall break critic now. It's a RUclips video not a cinematic masterpiece. The ending was obviously just used to wrap the video up. People need to stop being so stuck up.

    • @sofiarodriguez6768
      @sofiarodriguez6768 5 лет назад +8

      LMAO seemed like you may be the stuck up one hmm

    • @jocerv43
      @jocerv43 5 лет назад +7

      I guess you opinion matters a lot more than everyone else..

    • @kitsunianims420
      @kitsunianims420 5 лет назад +5

      @@jocerv43 except its not an opinion. this litterally isnt a cinamatic masterpeice. its cinamtic as in relating to films but it isnt a masterpeice by definition. a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship. this isnt outstanding by definition because it isnt any different than most other videos out there. it is average.

    • @gobeyond9930
      @gobeyond9930 5 лет назад +2

      @@kitsunianims420 that's what we call an opinion

    • @sagen620
      @sagen620 5 лет назад +1

      @@kitsunianims420 You started good.... and then buttfucked yourself by going full subjective in the last sentence..... GG

  • @theblue2228
    @theblue2228 7 лет назад +50

    That actually caught me off guard. Good job.

  • @michaeltrapson
    @michaeltrapson 4 года назад +29

    Nah everything about Jay and Silent Bob was gold! 🔥🔥🔥

  • @bif24701
    @bif24701 Год назад

    That ending dude. Gold!

  • @IncertusVeritas
    @IncertusVeritas 8 лет назад +230

    You would find Deadpool quite satisfying then... in a comedic sense of course.

    • @samcraig8320
      @samcraig8320 8 лет назад +7

      I was just about to mention deadpool!! Your so right!

    • @IncertusVeritas
      @IncertusVeritas 8 лет назад +6

      ***** My IQ is fairly close to 80... almost.

    • @PauseFilms
      @PauseFilms 8 лет назад +2

      +I Stole This Computer Look at all those people with "low IQ"
      Gotta love those who shit on popular/mainstream movies.
      www.rottentomatoes.com/m/deadpool/

    • @SlaveofChrist1
      @SlaveofChrist1 8 лет назад +4

      +Incertus Veritas As opposed to loudly satisfying?

    • @comedyforage
      @comedyforage 8 лет назад +17

      Deadpool isn't necessarily a bad film, but it's hugely overated.

  • @in17filp
    @in17filp 6 лет назад +416

    I feel like at the end, instead of going further into the joke, he should've looked at the camera while saying "and thanks for watching." and cut it there

    • @directorkid3131
      @directorkid3131 5 лет назад +16

      yeah I hate drawn out jokes

    • @dennisellerkamp9489
      @dennisellerkamp9489 4 года назад +16

      Definitely correct, short jokes are usually the funniest since there's not enough time to think ahead and potentially figure out the joke before it lands (or lose interest), or it has already landed and all you're doing it letting it take off again by drawing it out.

    • @TheSherlockHomez
      @TheSherlockHomez 4 года назад +7

      it wouldve brushed over his terrible acting.

  • @camillemore4309
    @camillemore4309 4 года назад +1

    Your video are very interesting ! I learn a lot of thing ! And as a French person, you’re voice and accent are very easy to understand and very enjoyable ! It is a good way to practice English while learning about cinema ! Great job

  • @FinleyMcB
    @FinleyMcB 5 лет назад

    I’m glad I stuck around till the end. Brand new subscriber here! 😊
    Great video

  • @TomusMedia
    @TomusMedia 9 лет назад +56

    You missed out my favourite 4th wall break - Fresh Prince Of Bel Air "If we so rich"

    • @SANTARII
      @SANTARII 8 лет назад +12

      +TomusMedia Also when they changed Vivian's actor and Jazz notices that she looks different then Will just gives a little glance at the camera and then they ignore it from then on.
      Also Carlton's freak out.

  • @MustardSeedish
    @MustardSeedish 7 лет назад +43

    So many unmentionables like Malcolm in the Middle, The Office, Moonlighting, Magnum PI (The famous smirk). I also loved the movie George of the Jungle.

    • @dielaughing73
      @dielaughing73 5 лет назад

      Oh, Moonlighting. Now and then I think about re-watching it but I think it might not hold up.

    • @amadodiallo3167
      @amadodiallo3167 5 лет назад +1

      The Office wasn't necessarily breaking the fourth wall because the story that it had set up was that they were being filmed for a PBS documentary rather than a TV show.

  • @DarthKoalaBear
    @DarthKoalaBear Год назад

    Thank you! This was so helpful!

  • @soccer4207
    @soccer4207 4 года назад +6

    1:03 Joke's on you, Homer. I'm watching this on RUclips. It's free, baby.

  • @matthewcooke4011
    @matthewcooke4011 5 лет назад +173

    First of all... this video was published about 6 months before Deadpool was released. So would people quit complaining that Deadpool wasn't mentioned.
    Secondly... I thought that the Austin Powers 2 example was one the few decent jokes in that movie that wasn't just cut and pasted from the first. It was a clever way of satirising the fact that most time travel plots in mainstream movies aren't logically coherent if you (the audience) think about them carefully. I'm not sure why it was used as an example of laziness.

    • @TallicaMan1986
      @TallicaMan1986 5 лет назад +3

      I actually like all 3 Austin Powers. It's also weird to think it's a trilogy.

    • @insertclevernamehere2506
      @insertclevernamehere2506 4 года назад +1

      In fairness Mike Myers was the king of the lazy approach to comedy, all of his movies suffer from it to a greater or lesser degree making the few good jokes in each stand out all the more.

  • @kellywiggle1
    @kellywiggle1 5 лет назад +13

    Funny Games is a perfect example of how to break the fourth wall in a horror movie. It gave me chills.

  • @ziggybee9494
    @ziggybee9494 4 года назад +7

    My favorite use of the fourth wall is in season 2 of Fleabag where The Priest begins to notice Fleabag's fairly straight-forward comedic fourth wall breaks. I'm still trying to puzzle out what exactly that means in the context of the show. Is it because he loves her that he notices? is it because we, the audience, are a stand-in for God in her life? It's so complicated and unsettling, I adore it!

  • @rwh-fr4zs
    @rwh-fr4zs 4 года назад

    Great finish!

  • @JeanPaulBeaubier
    @JeanPaulBeaubier 5 лет назад +48

    ok but every fourth wall break he was going "eh" at had me giggling hysterically

  • @andrewbowers8402
    @andrewbowers8402 7 лет назад +252

    How could you not put Monty Python and the Holy Grail in this video?

    • @caityreads8070
      @caityreads8070 7 лет назад +45

      Or 'and now for something completely different'- such a classic line

    • @horricule451
      @horricule451 7 лет назад +16

      Andrew Bowers here comes the old man from scene 24!

    • @MaxTheGreat14
      @MaxTheGreat14 7 лет назад +37

      Horricule "When suddenly, the animatior died of a severe heart attack."

    • @Dafty33
      @Dafty33 5 лет назад +1

      ruclips.net/video/m3dZl3yfGpc/видео.html
      One of my favs

  • @waltermanson999
    @waltermanson999 4 года назад

    Absolutely Amazing content !!!

  • @phantomiscringe4328
    @phantomiscringe4328 3 года назад +2

    Wayne’s worlds sponsorship scene was my favourite fourth wall break of all time.

  • @edgutierrez501
    @edgutierrez501 7 лет назад +44

    Jay and Silent Bob's best 4th wall break was , "I don't know , probably Matt Damon and Ben Affleck"

  • @esspertguy6766
    @esspertguy6766 7 лет назад +18

    Space balls and blazing saddles had the best fourth wall breaks in my book

  • @taunokekkonen5733
    @taunokekkonen5733 4 года назад +2

    The ending of The Revenant got me totally off guard. So unsettling. Still don't understand why it was used but it was powerful.

  • @raenico5285
    @raenico5285 Год назад

    Jim looking at the camera in the office is my favourite 4th wall break because of its subtlety

  • @paulstaker8861
    @paulstaker8861 8 лет назад +27

    Blue's Clues is the ultimate detective show.
    There I said it fuckers. COME AT ME!

    • @weirdowithacello3481
      @weirdowithacello3481 8 лет назад +2

      +Paul Staker Only if you ask nicely

    • @paulstaker8861
      @paulstaker8861 8 лет назад +1

      The Great and Powerful Thomas Please come at me?
      *places bucket*

  • @ElliotRuddy
    @ElliotRuddy 8 лет назад +39

    and then there's deadpool...

    • @ajrm620
      @ajrm620 8 лет назад +4

      That movie OBLITERATED the 4th wall.

    • @2mbst1
      @2mbst1 8 лет назад +8

      +Elliot Ruddy I'd argue that deadpool does not break the fourth wall, especially in the comics, because there usually is no fourth wall to break :D It's down the whole time and is never a surprise but rather taken for granted.

  • @pacoreguenga
    @pacoreguenga 4 года назад

    I love your videos but this one is a masterpiece.

  • @natewatson6962
    @natewatson6962 Год назад

    the middle of the film pefectily at the middle of the video is beautiful