A Complete Guide to Diegetic and Non-diegetic Sound

If you want to get into filmmaking, one of the most fundamental and powerful tools you will need to get a grasp of is the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound. If you are unfamiliar with the concept and how you can manipulate it to your advantage for more powerful storytelling, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know. 

Coming to you from Studio Binder, this great video tutorial will show you the differences between diegetic and non-diegetic sound and how filmmakers manipulate them to their advantage. The terms refer to where sound originates from and if the characters on screen are aware of its presence. Diegetic sound is sound that is part of the characters' world and they are aware of: a jukebox someone turns on in a restaurant, food cooking on the stove, a car engine starting, etc. On the other hand, non-diegetic sound is sound that the audience is aware of but the characters are not: a dramatic soundtrack over a car race, for example. Respecting this delineation is crucial for creating a believable experience for your audience, but purposely breaking the convention can also be used for things like comedic effect. Check out the video above for the full rundown. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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