Non-diegetic sound

Definition

Non-diegetic sound refers to audio elements that are not part of the story world or the characters' perception within a film or television show. This includes elements like background music, voiceovers, and sound effects that are added for emotional impact or to convey information to the audience without being heard by the characters. It plays a crucial role in shaping viewers' experiences and perceptions of the narrative and enhances the overall aesthetic of the production.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Non-diegetic sound is often used to manipulate viewer emotions, guiding them through the narrative experience by creating suspense or joy.
2. This type of sound can include voiceover narration that provides insight into a character’s thoughts but is not heard by other characters in the story.
3. In television, non-diegetic sound can help establish genre conventions, such as suspenseful music in horror shows or upbeat tracks in comedies.
4. Non-diegetic sound can serve as a storytelling device, providing context or commentary that enhances understanding of the narrative without being explicitly stated.
5. The use of non-diegetic sound can create a disconnect between the audience and characters, prompting viewers to interpret actions and emotions beyond what is visually presented.

Review Questions

• How does non-diegetic sound contribute to the viewer's emotional experience in television programming?
  • Non-diegetic sound significantly enhances the emotional experience of viewers by providing auditory cues that guide feelings and reactions. For example, suspenseful music builds tension before a climactic moment, while soft melodies can evoke feelings of nostalgia or sadness. This manipulation of emotion through sound makes viewers more engaged with the story, as it highlights key moments and influences how they perceive character actions.
• Discuss the relationship between non-diegetic sound and the overall aesthetic of a television show. How does it interact with other elements like cinematography and editing?
  • Non-diegetic sound is integral to shaping the overall aesthetic of a television show by complementing visual elements like cinematography and editing. For instance, dramatic shifts in background music can align with changes in camera angles or scene transitions, creating a cohesive viewing experience. The interaction between non-diegetic sound and these other elements helps to create rhythm and pacing in storytelling, reinforcing themes and enhancing audience engagement.
• Evaluate how non-diegetic sound serves as a semiotic tool in television. What meanings can it convey beyond its immediate auditory impact?
  • Non-diegetic sound acts as a semiotic tool by conveying deeper meanings that extend beyond its immediate auditory impact. It can signify genre conventions—like ominous tones indicating danger in thrillers—while also providing cultural references through specific musical choices. The layering of non-diegetic sounds creates additional layers of interpretation for viewers, allowing them to infer character motives or emotional states that may not be explicitly shown on screen, thus enriching their understanding of the narrative.

Related terms

diegetic sound:

Sound that originates from a source within the film's world, which characters can hear, such as dialogue, sounds made by objects, or music coming from a radio.

sound design: The process of creating and manipulating audio elements for a production to enhance storytelling, including both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds.

mood music: Background music used to evoke certain emotions in the audience or to enhance the atmosphere of a scene, often considered a type of non-diegetic sound.