I’m almost there! Ready to film (minus a few $ hundred thousand $) – but somehow, it’s going to happen – and my comedy script will go into production in 2026 - if I need to sell my neighbor’s barking dog AND my Beenie Baby collection (I have three – counting the one my granddaughter left here) … I’ll DOiT!
But what I’d like to know is: if you think that – in a script – (or in a manuscript) that a character talking to the audience is hokey, or do you think it’s funny… in a connecting with the audience kinda way?
My previous director asked me to take “talking to the audience” (TTTA – I just coined that) out. My attached actors loved it. My new director asked me to put TTTA back in… which I happily did. It’s what I started with Afterall. It’s not overwhelming, but an occasional nod to people who want to know!
Do you like it or do you cringe when an actor looks at you from the screen & lets you in on their thoughts? I’m talking comedy here.
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I think a character talking to the audience is funny, but it depends on the situation or joke, Debbie Seagle. I mainly like when an actor looks into the camera in a Mockumentary show like The Office and Abbott Elementary.
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Thank you for your perspective Maurice Vaughan - I didn't realize it until you said it, but it is a little "Thew Office" vibe. Now I like it even better!
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You're welcome, Debbie Seagle. TTTA can be a running gag kind of thing too.
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We need emojis here! I have some laughing ones with raised eyebrows in mind Maurice Vaughan.
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Hey Debbie. I've gone both ways, found it cringe worthy at times but didn't mind it in Goodfellas (maybe when I understood the reasoning for it after watching Mr Scorsese.) and I think there was some in Wolf of wall street too.
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I feel the same Marie Hatten - and too much TTTA is annoying. Sometimes you just want to be left alone to watch the movie! LOL
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Debbie Seagle Sometimes I feel like it rips me out of the magic/moment and can feel oddly confronting but maybe that's just me lol.
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I think it can work when done well. Sounds like you did it well if it's being well received.
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I say if it feels right to you go with it. Although I am not truly a fan of an actor taking me out of the moment by spilling a secret to the audience. It’s like watching a Spike Lee movie where you anticipate the moment he lets you know you’re watching a movie.
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Thank you Elle Bolan
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Artemis Craig most of my TTTA is an aside or a pause in a comical moment. But I hadn't thought of it as "the moment he lets you know you’re watching a movie." That's something I'm going to look out for now. Thanks!