Shattering the Fourth Wall To Find Web Audiences

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Web series are often praised for their diverse subject matter and original points-of-view. But what does pretty much every single prominent web series over the past several years — ranging from serious dramas like “quarterlife” to more fantastical fare like “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog” — have in common? A main character who addresses the audience directly. And within the online video world, “breaking the fourth wall,” as it’s known, has become a defining characteristic of many shows, to the benefit of creators, audiences and advertisers alike.

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Liz Shannon Miller

Co-Editor , GigaOM

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