This document defines and provides examples of different types of sound that can be used in films, including diegetic sound that comes from within the scene, non-diegetic sound added in post-production, crescendos that build suspense, diminuendos that signal a threat has passed, and sforzandos used to emphasize a shock or scare. Examples are given from films like Psycho, Jaws, The Godfather, and CSI to illustrate each type of sound technique.

1. Sound

2. Diegetic Sound
That sound that comes from in the scene
E.g. talking, noise of cars, the wind, music from a radio
etc
Example from soap operas, diegetic sound in psycho is the
shower scene the sound of the knife stabbing the person.
Sound of screaming and the sound of the shower curtain
being pulled open.

3. Non-diegetic sound
The sound put on a film during post-production
E.g. music soundtrack, sound effects like a crescendo,
background music.
Example from Jaws when the shark is swimming towards the
victim.

4. Crescendo
Build up of sound or music to imply something is
about to happen.
Example from The Godfather when Michael Corleone
shoots the two men in the restaurant.
Diminuendo
Where the music or sound dies down, as if a
threat has gone away
Example from the opening scene in Crime
Scene Investigation when the woman wakes
up in the middle of the night and the
crescendo dies down when she wakes up
and looks round and nothing is there.

5. Sforzando
A short, sharp, loud noise often used to emphasise a shock
of fear.
Example from the paranormal activity trailer when the door
slams shut there is a sforzando to emphasise the sound of
the door crashing.