Manipulation of diegetic time and space

The manipulation of diegetic time and space

The manipulation of diegetic time and space refers to a range of techniques used in filmmaking to change the dimensions of space and time in ways that would not be possible in real life. All this comes from diegesis.

Diegetic sound – sound inside the story world, which the characters can hear

Non diegetic sound- voice over, sound effects

Time can be made longer of shorter/ condensed and stretched.

Space can be compacted and expanded

Manipulation of diegetic time and space

Wide angles can be used to constrain spaces to the dimensions of aspect ratio and frame.

Deep focus can be used in conjunction with lighting effects to add enormous depth and detail to interior spaces.

Cutting from one location to another location can make the two appear connected.

Editorial techniques such as ellipsis and expansion of time manipulate time as it is experienced by the audience.

Elision is the cuts between scenes that we see e.g. someone wakes up, brushes teeth, and then is walking to work. This is because all of the in between event that happen aren’t necessary which gives us ellipsis.

Flash backs presenting recollected events in a character’s memory can be used to reveal key aspects of plot;

Flash forwards into the future can reveal what a character is planning/ envisaging/ expecting.