Music composed or selected to underscore the emotional, thematic, or narrative content of a scene without originating from the story world itself. Unlike source (diegetic) music, a dramatic score is audible only to the audience; characters on screen do not hear it. It may consist of original orchestral cues, electronic textures, or licensed tracks arranged to support pacing, heighten tension, signal transitions, and reinforce character arcs. Dramatic score is typically spotted with the director during a spotting session and is recorded, mixed, and edited to align precisely with picture timing.
