<P> `` Breaking the fourth wall '' is any instance in which this performance convention , having been adopted more generally in the drama , is violated . This can be done through either directly referencing the audience , the play as a play , or the characters ' fictionality . The temporary suspension of the convention in this way draws attention to its use in the rest of the performance . This act of drawing attention to a play 's performance conventions is metatheatrical . A similar effect of metareference is achieved when the performance convention of avoiding direct contact with the camera , generally used by actors in a television drama or film , is temporarily suspended . The phrase `` breaking the fourth wall '' is used to describe such effects in those media . Breaking the fourth wall is also possible in other media , such as video games and books . </P>
<P> `` Breaking the fourth wall '' is any instance in which this performance convention , having been adopted more generally in the drama , is violated . This can be done through either directly referencing the audience , the play as a play , or the characters ' fictionality . The temporary suspension of the convention in this way draws attention to its use in the rest of the performance . This act of drawing attention to a play 's performance conventions is metatheatrical . A similar effect of metareference is achieved when the performance convention of avoiding direct contact with the camera , generally used by actors in a television drama or film , is temporarily suspended . The phrase `` breaking the fourth wall '' is used to describe such effects in those media . Breaking the fourth wall is also possible in other media , such as video games and books . </P>
what does the term breaking the fourth wall mean
what does the term breaking the fourth wall mean
is violated performance convention
is violated performance convention