There are two main types of sound used in films: diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Diegetic sound is any sound that exists within the narrative world of the film, such as dialogue, sound effects, and ambient noise. Non-diegetic sound is added after filming to support the mood and atmosphere, usually in the form of music, and may parallel or contrast the images. Sound has been an important part of films since 1927 to help create more engaging narratives.

1. Sound Sound has existed in film since 1927. Sound is used conventionally to create a more involving and believable narrative. There are two main types of sound in film:

2. Diegetic Diegetic – ‘diegesis ’ is the Greek term for ‘world’ and is used in film analysis to describe the ‘narrative world’ of a film. Diegetic sound is any sound we would expect to hear if we were part of the ‘narrative world’, footsteps, doors opening and closing etc. Diegetic sound can be subdivided into: dialogue – speech sound effects – footsteps, doors closing, gun shots etc. ambient sound – background noise, distant chatter, wind, traffic etc.

3. Non- Diegetic Non-Diegetic sound is sound which has been added to support the mood and atmosphere that the filmmaker is trying to convey. This is usually in the form of added music, e.g. the ominous music that signals the approach of the shark in Jaws. Jaws ( click here ). Non-diegetic sound is usually used to support what is going on in the narrative ( parallel ) although sometimes non-diegetic sound is used which contrasts the images ( contrapuntal). Click here for an example of contrapuntal sound from A Clockwork Orange (Kubrick,1971) Don’t confuse this distinction between sound that is recorded in production and sound that is added in post production! Sound effects e.g. the sound of gunfire, is often added in post production but it is still diegetic, i.e. we would here gunfire if we were there. Click here for more on Sound