What is diegetic sound?

What is diegetic sound?

• A. Sound added in during post-production
• B. Sound originating from the world of the film, heard by characters
• C. Background music not intended for the characters to hear
• D. Sound effects created artificially for dramatic effect

Answer: (B)

Diegetic sound refers to sound that originates from the world of the film, meaning it is a sound that the characters within the film can hear as well. This includes dialogue spoken by characters, sounds made by objects in the environment, and music that is played within the scene, which the characters may be aware of. This type of sound helps to build realism and immersion by providing auditory context that aligns with the visual elements on screen. The other options refer to elements that exist outside the narrative world of the film. For instance, sounds added during post-production or sounds that are artificially created for dramatic effect do not derive from the characters' reality but rather are interventions by the filmmakers. Background music that is not intended for the characters, often known as non-diegetic sound, also falls outside the realm of what diegetic sound represents. Thus, understanding diegetic sound is essential for grasping how sound serves to enhance storytelling in film.

Diegetic sound refers to sound that originates from the world of the film, meaning it is a sound that the characters within the film can hear as well. This includes dialogue spoken by characters, sounds made by objects in the environment, and music that is played within the scene, which the characters may be aware of. This type of sound helps to build realism and immersion by providing auditory context that aligns with the visual elements on screen.

The other options refer to elements that exist outside the narrative world of the film. For instance, sounds added during post-production or sounds that are artificially created for dramatic effect do not derive from the characters' reality but rather are interventions by the filmmakers. Background music that is not intended for the characters, often known as non-diegetic sound, also falls outside the realm of what diegetic sound represents. Thus, understanding diegetic sound is essential for grasping how sound serves to enhance storytelling in film.