Research: Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound Analysis

Diegetic sound is sound which is within the film's narrative. This means that the characters are aware of these sounds and can respond to them. Examples of diegetic sound are ambient sounds (sounds that are created by the atmosphere), sounds of objects and dialogue.

Non-diegetic sound is sound which is added in the film's editing process. The characters in the narrative are not aware of these sounds and are used to affect the audience. Examples of these include, incidental music, soundtracks, sound-effects and voiceovers.

The Conjuring (2013) - Annabelle scene analysis

In the scene featured above, there is a many diegetic sounds which are present which create an ominous atmosphere for the audience. For example, throughout the clip, there is the diegetic ambient sound of heavy rain and a thunderstorm in the background. This creates an eerie atmosphere as rain is the only sound throughout the first half of the clip but it is also conventional of the genre as rainy weather is an icon of the genre as it reflects the mood of the film.

There is dialogue throughout the clip, specifically the dialogue of the little girl at the beginning of the scene. The voice of children is conventional of the genre as children's voices are typically associated with being quite creepy, but also children are key stock characters within supernatural horror narratives. There is also screaming and shouting nearing the end of the clip when the scene has reached its climax. Screaming and shouting being a part of a horror films dialogue is conventional as it shows the fear that the characters are feeling which then transfers onto the audience.

The diegetic sound of the rocking chair creaking adds to the ominous atmosphere and is an icon sound of the genre. Nearing the end of the scene, the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds begin to become louder and more intense which hints to the audience that a climax is coming and creates tension for the viewers, conventional of horror films.

The non-diegetic sound is added near the end of the scene to add to the build up towards the climax at the end. This incidental music is fast paced and becomes more intense as the climax gets closer and closer. This creates tension for the audience as they are expecting something bad to happen. The diegetic sound of heavy breathing from the characters after the films climax also shows the characters fear and emphasises this to the audience.