drama - 1984 - sound

Diegetic sound

Sound from within the world of the play → realism, immersion

Non-diegetic sound

Sound audience can hear but characters cannot → creates mood and tension

Ambient sound

Background noise (e.g. low hum) → constant unease, no silence

Repetitive sound motif

Repeated sound → conditioning, control, themes of oppression

Sound layering

Multiple sounds overlapping → overwhelm audience, reflect surveillance

Silence (intentional)

Absence of sound → heightens tension, makes moments unsettling

Volume control (crescendo / diminuendo)

Increasing or decreasing sound → builds suspense or releases tension

Electronic / synthetic sound

Mechanical noise → dehumanisation, technological control