Ambient sounds are the unsung heroes of sound design, setting the stage for immersive storytelling. From background noises to atmospheric effects, these sonic elements create a sense of place, enhance mood, and support the narrative. They're the secret sauce that brings fictional worlds to life.

Diegetic and non-diegetic ambience play different roles in shaping the audience's experience. Diegetic sounds exist within the story world, while non-diegetic sounds are added for the audience's benefit. Both types work together to create a rich, multidimensional soundscape that captivates viewers.

Background and Environmental Sounds

Establishing a Sense of Place

• Background ambience creates a sense of place and setting by providing a consistent sonic environment (city street, forest, office)
• Room tone captures the unique acoustic properties of a specific location, such as the subtle hum of air conditioning or the natural reverb of a large hall
  • Helps maintain continuity between shots and scenes filmed in the same location
• Environmental sounds are specific, identifiable sounds that occur within a given setting (birdsong in a forest, car horns in a city)
  • Add realism and depth to the sonic landscape
• Soundscape refers to the complete acoustic environment of a location, including all background ambience, room tone, and environmental sounds
  • Helps immerse the audience in the story world and convey a specific time, place, or atmosphere

Enhancing Mood and Emotion

• Background ambience can subtly influence the emotional tone of a scene (eerie wind in a horror film, lively chatter in a comedy)
• Environmental sounds can be used to heighten tension or create a sense of calm (distant thunder before a storm, gentle waves on a beach)
• The absence of background sound can also be used for dramatic effect, creating a sense of isolation, emptiness, or anticipation
• Carefully crafted soundscapes can evoke specific emotions and guide the audience's perception of a scene (unsettling industrial drones in a dystopian setting, peaceful nature sounds in a romantic scene)

Atmospheric Effects and Textures

Creating Ambience and Mood

• Atmospheric effects are non-specific, often abstract sounds that enhance the overall mood or atmosphere of a scene (ethereal drones, ominous rumbles)
• Sonic textures are layered, complex sounds that add depth and richness to the ambient soundscape (dense jungle ambience, the hum of a spaceship interior)
  • Help create a more immersive and believable sonic environment
• Ambient loops are seamlessly repeating sections of background ambience or atmospheric effects
  • Provide a consistent sonic foundation for a scene or location
  • Allow for easy extension or modification of the ambient soundscape

Enhancing Narrative and Thematic Elements

• Atmospheric effects can be used to underscore narrative themes or motifs (menacing undertones in a thriller, whimsical chimes in a fantasy)
• Sonic textures can help convey the scale or complexity of a setting (the vast emptiness of space, the intricate workings of a machine)
• Carefully designed ambient loops can create a sense of time passing or a specific time of day (gradually changing city ambience from day to night)
• Atmospheric effects and textures can also be used to smooth transitions between scenes or to bridge gaps in the narrative

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Ambience

Diegetic Ambience

• Diegetic ambience refers to sounds that exist within the story world and can be heard by the characters
  • Examples include music playing on a radio, the hum of a refrigerator, or the sound of rain outside a window
• Diegetic ambience helps establish the reality of the story world and grounds the characters in their environment
• Changes in diegetic ambience can indicate shifts in location, time, or narrative perspective
• Interaction between characters and diegetic ambient sounds can reveal character traits, emotions, or relationships (a character turning off a distracting TV)

Non-Diegetic Ambience

• Non-diegetic ambience refers to sounds that are added for the benefit of the audience and cannot be heard by the characters
  • Examples include emotional undertones, abstract atmospheric effects, or musical scores
• Non-diegetic ambience can be used to convey information, evoke emotions, or guide the audience's interpretation of a scene
• Changes in non-diegetic ambience can signal shifts in tone, theme, or narrative direction
• Non-diegetic ambience can also be used to create a sense of continuity or cohesion across different scenes or storylines