Transmedia Storytelling
How Kevin Spacey breaking the fourth wall as Frank Underwood in House of Cards made the process of transmedia storytelling more iconic
If you are looking for a character who did so well at breaking the fourth wall and making it even more possible for the character to become a transmedia icon, House of Cards is a great series to explore. This excellent series is great for those who enjoy critical thinking through crime, politics, and drama. The show is about Frank Underwood, an evil politician willing to scheme in the most unsettling ways to get what he wants. Eventually, his horrible decisions ruin many lives and his own, professionally and personally.
Breaking The Fourth Wall
Frank Underwood broke the fourth wall in this well-scripted show to communicate with the viewers as if we were in his inner thoughts. Sometimes, this felt like we were scheming with him because anticipating what he would do next before other characters knew made it feel like we were his accomplices. It is a powerful experience. This direct connection makes it more entertaining when the viewers are teased with odd character decisions or plot twists that lead to critical thinking. Breaking that fourth wall gives us a better experience in learning about the character's development. This also allows us to think more critically about the character's psyche. As a result, we become more intrusive and start wishing we could see what other characters are thinking or feeling. This is where we begin to create more theories.
Transmedia Storytelling
According to Media Psychologist Dr. Pam, transmedia in storytelling allows creators to use multimedia platforms to tell a story in a coordinated form. This requires using Kairos to engage the viewers at the right time. The fun aspect of transmedia storytelling is that it allows viewers to interact with the story. Frank Underwood enters the real world and interacts with the viewers through an official Twitter account. Netflix ended The TV series in 2018, and Frank is still posting on Twitter as if he is still running a show, using Kairos to post his opinion about events as if these events affect him.
Take, for example, his photoshopped image of Trump standing side by side. Above the photo, he says, "Choose wisely," as if he were a political candidate. This post got 208 comments, 20,000 likes, and 1,700 reposts. He was no longer on the show as of 2017. He was not in season 6. This was when Independent studio Media Rights Capital started the official Frank Underwood Twitter account, where his character remains alive.
Frank Underwood and Kevin Spacey
Breaking the fourth wall throughout his five seasons on the show made it easier for him to create this transmedia interactive relationship with his followers on social media. In 2017, sexual assault allegations and lawsuits against Kevin Spacey began to unravel. This prompted Netflix to dismiss him from the production of House of Cards soon after. After the controversy unraveled and he was removed from the show, House of Cards only lasted one more season before the show was canceled. Many people were left emotionally split by this event.
Many fell in love with Kevin's excellent performance. People were so connected with Frank. In The Guardian, Columnist Hannah Jane Parkinson addresses many viewers' conflictive emotions about whether it is okay to separate the art from the artist or if we can even separate it all.
In the following YouTube video by someone going by his name, Kevin Spacey takes on Frank's persona to do what he is best at: breaking the fourth wall. He is both manipulative and seductive. He knows the fans loved his act as Frank, and we wish he were there. But many, like me, are frustrated and resentful that such an incredible show was ruined. In this video, Kevin talks to us without acknowledging whether he is Frank or Kevin. His argument could apply to Kevin’s or Frank’s controversial actions.
Understanding transmedia storytelling through this show has been absorbing because the whole example is a webbing, multilayered, and complex experience that is just as thought-provoking as the show itself. It is also interesting to see how this could be like the chicken and the egg paradox. Was Kevin Spacey like Frank Underwood, or was Frank like Kevin?
Works Cited
“Fourth wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourth%20wall. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
Francescani, Chris. “The Rise and Fall of Kevin Spacey: A Timeline of Sexual Assault Allegations.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 3 June 2019, abcnews.go.com/US/rise-fall-kevin-spacey-timeline-sexual-assault-allegations/story?id=63420983.
Parkinson, Hannah Jane. “Kevin Spacey Deserves to Be Scorned. but Can I Still Watch House of Cards?.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 2 Nov. 2017, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/02/kevin-spacey-deserves-scorned-watch-house-of-cards.
Reed, Betsy. “Kevin Spacey Says He Put Netflix ‘on the Map’ and Attacks Platform for Firing Him.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 26 Dec. 2023, www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/26/kevin-spacey-netflix-firing-house-of-cards.
Rutledge, Pamela. “What Is Transmedia Storytelling?” Dr. Pam Media Psychologist: The Psychology of Digital Behavior, n.d, www.pamelarutledge.com/speaking-consulting-2/transmedia-storytelling-is-the-future-of-communication/transmedia-storytelling/what-is-transmedia-storytelling/.
Spacey, Kevin. “Let Me Be Frank.” YouTube, PromoClips, 24 Dec. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZveA-NAIDI.
Underwood, Frank. “X.Com.” X (Formerly Twitter), x.com/FrankUnderwood?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
