Basic Film Coventions and Film Techniques

In this lesson i was taught to understand the basic convections and film techniques in the opening scenes of 'Monsters, Inc' and 'Saving Private Ryan'.




I learnt that sound in films is termed either diegetic or non-diegetic. Diegetic sound is when the source is visible on the screen, and naturally occurs in the shot. Non diegetic sound is when the sound is added after the actual filming has taken place, such as the music or enhanced sound effects.



Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film: 

• voices of characters
• sounds made by objects in the story
• music represented as coming from instruments in the story.

Diegetic sound can be either on screen or off screen. 

Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action: 

• narrator's commentary
• sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect
• mood music

Non-diegetic sound is represented as coming from the a source outside the story. 
The difference between diegetic or non-diegetic sound depends on our understanding of the conventions of film viewing and listening.  We know of that certain sounds are represented as coming from the story world, while others are represented as coming from outside the space of the story events such a distant noise.  A scene with diegetic and non-diegetic conventions can be used to create ambiguity (horror), or to surprise the audience (comedy).