The mix of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds in movies adds extra layers of meaning and makes the audience feel more connected to the story.

Diegetic Sound

• This type of sound comes from the movie's world.
• It includes things like characters talking, footsteps, or sounds from the background.
• For example, if you see a character playing the piano, the music you hear is diegetic. It helps pull viewers into the scene and makes it feel real.

Non-Diegetic Sound

• On the other hand, non-diegetic sound includes things like background music and voiceovers that are not part of the story.
• For example, a powerful music score can make you feel more excited or sad, even if the characters don’t show those feelings.

Combining these two types of sounds can convey deep emotions.

1. Building Tension:

   • In a suspenseful scene, there might be very little diegetic sound—like quiet footsteps or whispers.
   • When this is combined with a rising music score, it can make the audience feel even more scared or excited.

2. Understanding Characters:

   • Non-diegetic sounds can reveal what a character is really feeling, even if diegetic sounds can’t.
   • For example, a character might be smiling at a party while sad music plays in the background, showing they are struggling inside.

3. Adding Emotional Depth:

   • Mixing these sounds can create a strong emotional impact.
   • For instance, if you hear happy laughter (diegetic sound) over a sad melody (non-diegetic sound), it can show how joy and loss can exist together.

In summary, using diegetic and non-diegetic sounds wisely helps tell richer stories in films. It adds emotional depth and meaning that the audience can really feel, showing how important sound design is in cinema.