8.1 Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound

Sound in film is more than just background noise. It's a powerful storytelling tool that can make or break a movie. Diegetic sound comes from within the film's world, like dialogue or a car horn. It helps create a realistic atmosphere and draws us into the story.

Non-diegetic sound, on the other hand, is added in post-production. This includes musical scores and voiceovers. These elements can shape our emotions and guide our understanding of the film. Together, diegetic and non-diegetic sounds create a rich audio landscape.

Types of Diegetic Sound

Diegetic Sound and Source Music

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• Diegetic sound refers to any sound that originates from within the world of the film, including dialogue, sound effects, and music played by characters or objects on screen
• Source music, also known as digetic music, is music that comes from a visible source within the film's world (radio, live band, character singing)
• Diegetic sound and source music help to create a sense of realism and immersion for the audience by grounding the sound in the film's world
• Examples of diegetic sound include footsteps, doors closing, and characters having a conversation
• Examples of source music include a character playing the piano, a song playing on a car radio, or a band performing at a concert in the film

Ambient Sound and Soundscape

• Ambient sound refers to the background noises that are present in a scene, such as the sound of traffic, birds chirping, or the hum of a refrigerator
• These sounds help to establish the setting and create a sense of place for the audience
• Soundscape is the overall sonic environment of a film, consisting of all the diegetic sounds that make up the film's world
• The soundscape can convey information about the location, time period, and atmosphere of a scene
• For example, the soundscape of a busy city street would include car horns, sirens, and pedestrian chatter, while a soundscape of a forest might include bird calls, rustling leaves, and a babbling brook

Offscreen Sound

• Offscreen sound is any diegetic sound that comes from a source not visible on the screen
• This type of sound can be used to create suspense, provide information, or suggest the presence of something or someone beyond the frame
• Offscreen sound can also guide the audience's attention and imagination, encouraging them to visualize what is happening beyond what is shown on screen
• Examples of offscreen sound include a telephone ringing, a dog barking, or a character's voice coming from another room
• In horror films, offscreen sound is often used to build tension and fear, such as the sound of footsteps or heavy breathing coming from an unseen source

Non-Diegetic Sound and Transitions

Non-Diegetic Sound

• Non-diegetic sound refers to any sound that does not originate from within the world of the film, such as a musical score, voiceover narration, or sound effects added in post-production
• Non-diegetic sound is used to convey emotions, provide commentary, or create a specific atmosphere that is not directly tied to the events on screen
• A musical score can help to set the tone and mood of a scene, guiding the audience's emotional response to the action on screen
• Voiceover narration can provide exposition, reveal a character's inner thoughts, or offer a different perspective on the events of the film
• Sound effects added in post-production, such as a whoosh or a boom, can enhance the impact of certain actions or events and create a more engaging viewing experience

Sound Bridge

• A sound bridge is a transitional device that carries a sound from one scene to the next, helping to create a smooth and seamless connection between the two
• This technique can be used to link thematically related scenes, suggest the passage of time, or create a sense of continuity between different locations
• Sound bridges can be diegetic or non-diegetic, depending on the nature of the sound being carried over
• For example, a diegetic sound bridge might involve the sound of a character's footsteps continuing from one scene to the next, while a non-diegetic sound bridge could be a musical cue that carries over across a scene change
• Sound bridges can also be used to create a sense of irony or contrast, such as when a cheerful piece of music carries over into a scene of violence or tragedy