Sound in Filmmaking

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to sound design in filmmaking, specifically diegetic and non-diegetic sound.

Diegetic Sound

Sound that characters in the film can hear, including dialogue, music from within the film, and ambient sounds.

Non-Diegetic Sound

Sound that characters cannot hear, such as the film's score, narration, or sound effects added for dramatic effect.

Diegesis

The world of the film and everything within it that characters can experience.

Acousmatic Sound

Sounds we hear but cannot see the source of, can be off-screen sounds or non-diegetic sounds.

Internal Diegetic Sound

Voiceover that represents a character's thoughts, heard only by the audience and not by other characters.

Trans-Diegetic Sound

Sound that switches between diegetic and non-diegetic, altering the audience's perception of its source.

Michel Chion

Theorist who analyzed sound in film and developed the visualization that divides sound into three zones.

Suspense in Film

Created through the use of diegetic sound that is off-screen, enhancing storytelling and engagement.

Juxtaposition in Sound Design

The contrasting use of sound elements, such as a cheerful score accompanying an intense visual scene.

Narration in Film

A storytelling element that can be diegetic or non-diegetic, affecting audience engagement and story perception.