Offscreen
The terms off-screen, off-camera, and off-stage refer to fictional events in theatre, television, or film which are not seen on stage or in frame, but are merely heard by the audience, or described (or implied) by the characters or narrator.[1] Off-screen action often leaves much to the audience's imagination. As a narrative mode and stylistic device, it may be used for a number of dramatic effects. It may also be used to save time in storytelling, to circumvent technical or financial constraints of a production, or to meet content rating standards.
Uses
In ancient Greek drama, events were often recounted to the audience by a narrator, rather than being depicted on the stage.[2] Offscreen voice-over narration continues to be a common tool for conveying information authoritatively.[3]
Charlie Chaplin made use of offscreen action to humorous effect. In a deleted scene in Shoulder Arms (1918), Chaplin's character is berated by an abusive wife who is never seen on camera; her presence is merely implied by household objects hurled in Chaplin's direction.[4] In The Kid (1921), his character The Tramp is asked the name of the baby he recently found abandoned. He quickly ducks into a nearby building, emerges seconds later smoothing the child's blankets, and announces, "John" – implying that he had not even determined the child's sex, much less given it a name, until that moment.[4] In City Lights (1931), Chaplin's Tramp is preparing for a boxing match. He asks another boxer a question which the audience is not privy to. He then follows the man's direction off screen, before returning moments later and asking the man to help him remove his boxing gloves – the implication being that he was going to the bathroom. Later, it's shown that he was merely looking for a water fountain.[4]
In the
Offscreen action is often used in
Offscreen action may also be used when a scene would otherwise require costly sets, locations, makeup, or special effects to present convincingly.
See also
- Deleted scene
- Diegesis and mimesis, alternate modes of storytelling
- Dissolve
References
- ISBN 9780786457403. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ ISBN 9781476626390. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ISBN 9780415236102. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
- ^ ISBN 9781476617435. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
Further reading
- Peretz, Eyal (March 21, 2017). The Off-Screen: An Investigation of the Cinematic Frame. Stanford University Press. ISBN 9781503601611.