Meaning: The quote "The stage is suspension of disbelief. Film is a literal medium." by Joseph Bologna, an American actor, writer, and director, encapsulates a fundamental difference between the theatrical and cinematic experiences. It touches upon the concept of "suspension of disbelief" and the distinction between the two mediums in the portrayal of reality.

In theater, the "suspension of disbelief" refers to the audience's acceptance of the unrealistic or improbable events portrayed on the stage as if they were real. It is the ability to temporarily set aside one's skepticism and believe in the world presented by the actors and the production. This concept has been attributed to the English poet and aesthetic philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who argued that for the enjoyment of a literary or dramatic work, the audience must be willing to suspend their disbelief and accept the imaginative world created by the author or performer.

On the other hand, Bologna's assertion that "Film is a literal medium" speaks to the inherent difference in how reality is depicted in cinema. Unlike the stage, where the audience witnesses live performances in a shared space, film captures and reproduces actual images and sounds. The literal nature of film suggests a greater emphasis on visual and auditory realism, as the camera captures real locations, events, and performances that are then presented to the audience in a concrete, recorded form.

The distinction between the stage and film in terms of suspension of disbelief and literal representation is rooted in their respective modes of presentation. In live theater, the actors perform in front of a live audience, relying on their physical presence and the immediate interaction with spectators to convey the story and emotion. This immediacy allows for a direct exchange of energy and emotion between the performers and the audience, fostering a sense of shared experience and imagination.

Conversely, film as a literal medium utilizes the technology of recording and editing to construct a narrative that is visually and aurally faithful to the recorded events and performances. The camera's ability to capture intimate details, complex visual compositions, and nuanced expressions can create a heightened sense of realism that may differ from the more abstract and interpretative nature of live theater.

It is important to note that while Bologna's quote draws a clear distinction between the two mediums, the boundaries between theater and film have become increasingly blurred in contemporary performance and cinematic practices. For instance, the rise of live-streamed theater productions and the adaptation of stage plays into films have challenged traditional notions of medium-specific storytelling and representation.

In conclusion, Joseph Bologna's quote sheds light on the different ways in which audiences engage with the worlds presented to them on the stage and on the screen. The concept of suspension of disbelief in theater and the literal nature of film highlight the distinct approaches to storytelling and representation in these two artistic mediums. While each medium has its unique strengths and characteristics, the evolving landscape of performance and media continues to offer new opportunities for creative exploration and audience engagement across the theatrical and cinematic realms.