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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.
Further reading
Original explanations informed by these sources.
Yale Film Analysis Guide: Sound ↗Columbia Film Language Glossary: Diegetic Sound ↗