Sound and Audio Codes

Describes what is present in the world of the media text (i.e. in the film story, tv story, music video etc), as opposed to what is added later purely for the audience's sake.

Sound that is "in the frame" - that is, it is happening in the narrative (story); sound that the characters can hear.

Sound that is "outside the frame" - that is, sound added for the audience's benefit; sound the character's cannot hear.

Sound added later that is not a voice-over, narrator, or music.

When someone is speaking over the moving image narrative.

When the sound from one scene continues into or over the next scene.

Sound that does not match what we see on screen. For example, the sound of footsteps when we can't see someone walking.

Sound that matches what we see on screen. For example, we see someone talking and hear the dialogue coming from their mouths.

Where the tone and mood of the music (non-diegetic sound) does not match the action on screen or the other diegetic sounds we hear. For example, sinister music for a scene of children playing happily in a playground.

A recording of the musical accompaniment to a movie.

Where the tone and mood of the music (non-diegetic sound) matches the action on screen. For example, happy music for a scene of children playing.

A recurring musical phrase or theme associated with a particular person, place or idea in a movie.