Understanding the purpose of diegetic and non-diegetic sound:

Sound Analysis

Diegetic Sound:


This sound exist ‘inside’ the story.
It can be heard by the characters.

Examples include Speech, Gunshots, etc.

Non-Diegetic Sound:


This exists outside of the world of the story.
It cannot be heard by the characters in the story.
This type of sound is for the benefit of the audience.
Examples include The Soundtrack, Voiceovers, etc.

Example of Diegetic Sound in films:


Here is an example of diegetic sound in the 2008 film ’Iron Man’.
After defeating the villain ‘Iron Monger’ Tony Stark hold a press conference and announces to the world that he is Iron Man.

Examples of Non-Diegetic Sound in film:


Here is an example of non-diegetic sound in the 2018 film ‘Avengers: Infinity War’.
After some Avengers are overrun by Outriders in Wakanda, a Bifrost portal appears and Thor comes out of it as the score picks up and is triumphant.

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