Diegesis - 'in the world of the narrative'
We tend to use the term diegesis to refer to sound, but any element of a media product can be diegetically or non-diegetically situated.
Examples of diegetically situated elements Iinclude: the character Anita, Leo's wound, the low key lighting of the brothel, the sound of footsteps echoing in the vast warehouse.
Examples of non-diegetic elements include the opening credits, the graphic 'Humans' that appears on screen, and the opening theme tune and incidental music.
How does the diegesis of sound engage audiences and construct meaning in the opening scene of Humans?
The diegesis of sound used in the opening scene of Humans is complicated and highly engaging.
Diegetic sound
- The atmospheric squeaking of wheels
- The tinny music bleeding from a cheap speaker
- The slow and methodical footsteps
- The loud echoing boom of the door slamming
- These diegetic elements combine to construct a confusing, distanced and enigmatic atmosphere
Non-diegetic sound
- A small, weak, ghostly melody is played as Anita looks up at the moon, reinforcing the highly mysterious mode of address of this scene, and positioning the audience in a strangely relaxed and confusing situation. This is further reinforced through the MES of Anita's nudity, which positions the audience in a vulnerable situation. This highly sophisticated combination of elements engages the audience from the very first scene.
Extradiegetic sound/internal diegetic sound
- A high pitched drone comes from no conceivable source, and is a stereotypical, conventional sound of the science fiction genre.