Post-Production : Diegetic Versus Non-Diegetic Sound in Movies by Geoff Hall

Geoff Hall

Diegetic Versus Non-Diegetic Sound in Movies

I could have posted this in the Filmmaking or Production Lounge, but plumbed for Post-Production because I’d like us to have a conversation about non-diegetic sound; it’s use and perhaps overuse of it in sound design.

It’s a pretty basic introduction to the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound, but it will help us as a conversation starter.

What are the best and worst examples that you’ve come across when watching a film?

https://nofilmschool.com/diegetic-vs-non-diegetic-sound

Diegetic Versus Non-Diegetic Sound in Movies
Diegetic Versus Non-Diegetic Sound in Movies
Should your audio be motivated within your movie, or outside of its established world?
Maurice Vaughan

Great share, Geoff Hall! I've heard diegetic and non-diegetic sounds in movies, but I didn't know they had names.

One of the best diegetic sounds I've heard when watching a film is the entire Mission: Impossible movie series. There's so many diegetic sounds (the technology, the fights, the vehicles, etc.).

And one of the best non-diegetic sounds I've heard when watching a film is the iconic "dun-dun" music in Jaws. I'm not know any worst example.

Geoff Hall

Maurice Vaughan thanks Maurice. And now that we are in the age of sound design, it would be good to have someone share their thoughts about creating non-diegetic sounds.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Geoff Hall.

Paul Rivers

Geoff Hall, I am curious what are some movie examples of the over-use of non-diegetic sound designs. I can think of those canned laugh tracks from the sitcoms...

Geoff Hall

Paul Rivers Hi Paul, for me, it's when sound design just becomes noise and adds nothing to the story.

Other topics in Post-Production:

register for stage 32 Register / Log In