A couple days ago, I saw one of the best examples of “breaking the fourth wall” ever since I was first introduced to the idea back in my high school AP Lit class.
Uprooted, the culture show put on by SCU’s Vietnamese Student Association in Mayer Theatre was filled with fantastic references to the audience and comedic plot breaks that kept us all engaged. Here’s a quick attempt at a plot summary:
The VSA student board members all sit around on stage and they try to figure out what to make their annual show (the one we’re watching) about. They each pitch random ideas (ex: a Star Wars inspired one), but not one idea works well. Finally, one girl, Diane, suggests they all go to Vietnam in attempts of getting inspiration for the show. During their trip to Vietnam, we see glimpses of Vietnamese culture, as well as the way each character develops to gain better understanding of themselves. Finally, they all come back to America and agree to make a show about their trip to Vietnam, essentially recreating the one we just watched. By randomly acknowledging the audience during various parts of the show, it’s great to see that closer connection.
However, what really got me about this already impressive show was the way Jon, a white Caucasian male, came to direct this show about Vietnamese culture, something he obviously wasn’t raised in. He was able to direct so well based on the fact that he first addressed this obvious disconnection as the “elephant in the room”. A lot of times, we fail to point out some of the most obvious issues because it can be hard.
By first stating that he was white near the beginning of the show, Jon actively pointed out what everyone was already thinking, therefore validating his purpose. It’s certainly hard to do because of the immediate awareness you put on yourself, but it’s worth it.
Addressing the obvious makes it possible to move onto greater things. It’s why, for the rest of the show, the audience was able to comfortably watch a show produced by someone outside of the Vietnamese culture. Doing something so bold is great, encouraged even, if done in the right way. So props to you, Jon!
Perhaps in our own writing we can learn to point out the obvious, or the big ideas that need to be said, before moving on to the nitty gritty details. It’s an interesting point that needs to be made, though a lot of times we forget to do so.
Still confused on what it means to address the elephant in the room? Here’s another great example of Jack Carroll, on Britain’s Got Talent.
Reader, I hope you take away an important lesson from this post. Avoidance is not the answer to moving onto the bigger and better things in life.
Link: http://www.danifoxhypnosis.com/wp1/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/elephant.jpg