Diegetic/Nondiegetic: A Theoretical Model

Abstract

Two pairs of terms, diegetic/nondiegetic and synchronization/counterpoint, have remained central to discussions of film music. The first of these in particular has strong connections to film studies and literary studies (specifically, narratology). A model that positions diegesis in relation to (between) spatial anchoring and narration can help sort out the shift from opposition to function and make the diegetic/nondiegetic pair more reliable for interpretation of film music.