Definition & Meaning of "offscreen"

What is "offscreen"?

Offscreen refers to elements or actions that occur outside the viewable area of the screen in a film or video. These are events, sounds, or characters that are not visible to the audience but may be implied or mentioned through dialogue, sound effects, or visual cues. The use of offscreen space can add depth to the narrative, create suspense, or suggest the presence of elements that are not directly shown but are important to the story.