When the Fourth Wall Falls

I’ve lost count of the times I’ve demolished the fourth wall since I posted the original version of this video two years ago.  Sometimes it’s been intentional and strategic. But it usually happens when I lose the discipline of unflinchingly working within the constraints of a character.

The magic circle isn’t just a fictional device. We live our lives in Russian nesting dolls of selective attention and amnesia. We fixate upon and magnify what we want to see. We ignore, deny or flee from what we don’t want to face.

In any case, the falling of the fourth wall is a gift. It exposes our illusions. At least for a brief shining moment. We wake. Fall back asleep. And wake again.