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FILM TECHNIQUE

Offscreen sound

Sound from a source in the story world that is outside the current image.

What you hear can make an unseen room, person or danger feel close.

See it in a scene.

This technique’s reviewed examples reveal later parts of the story. Choose a film and allow whole-film discussion to explore them.

Explore Rear Window →

Further reading

Original explanations informed by these sources.

Yale Film Analysis Guide: Sound ↗Columbia Film Language Glossary: Diegetic Sound ↗