non-diegetic
Beyond the story
Non-diegetic describes elements in a film, video game, or other narrative that exist outside the story world—things the characters cannot perceive.
A musical score is non-diegetic: the audience hears it, but the characters don't.
The non-diegetic soundtrack swelled as the hero made her final stand.
Contrast with diegetic, where characters can hear or see the element within the story.
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- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- composerCreator of musical works
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- themeCentral recurring concept
motif · overture · instrumental · symphony · cinematic · melody · harmony · arrangement
Off-screen spoken commentary
- narratorOne who tells events
- omniscientUnlimited in awareness
- off-screenBeyond camera's visible area
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
commentary · third-person · unseen · storytelling · explanatory · documentary · framing device · retrospective
Gaseous layer around planets
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- toneQuality of sound
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
juxtaposition · emotional cue · tension · suspense · dramatic irony · subtext · symbolism · counterpoint
On-screen text identifying work
- subtitleSecondary title text
- creditsUnits toward graduation
- chapter headingName introducing a division
- freeze frameHalted motion picture image
slow motion · dream sequence · montage · superimposition · split screen · fade · dissolve
underscore
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- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- composerCreator of musical works
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
theme · motif · overture · instrumental · symphony · cinematic · melody · harmony · arrangement · crescendo
voice-over
Off-screen spoken commentary
- narratorOne who tells events
- omniscientUnlimited in awareness
- off-screenBeyond camera's visible area
exposition · commentary · third-person · unseen · storytelling · explanatory · documentary · framing device · retrospective · unreliable narrator
atmosphere
Gaseous layer around planets
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- toneQuality of sound
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
irony · juxtaposition · emotional cue · tension · suspense · dramatic irony · subtext · symbolism · counterpoint · commentary
title card
On-screen text identifying work
- subtitleSecondary title text
- creditsUnits toward graduation
- chapter headingName introducing a division
freeze frame · slow motion · dream sequence · montage · superimposition · split screen · fade · dissolve