notice how noisy people are?
don't pay much attention to most of the sound around you. But if it
all suddenly went away, it wouldn't take long for you to notice how
weird the world just got. That's what a movie or TV show would be like
without Foley artists.
a "Foley," you ask?
it's who. "Foley art" is named for Jack Foley, who worked
in Hollywood in the 1950s. He was the first person to make movies seem
real by adding everyday sounds.
film is shot, the actors' words are recorded, but other noises can get
lost or seem wrong. Foley artists fill in those missing sounds.
In a movie
with a sword fight, for instance, a Foley artist may add the sounds
of footsteps on stone and swords clanging together. Why? Because the
floor on the set may look like stone, but it's really painted plywoodand
the swords are just made of plastic.
Your Own Foley Sound Scenes
can start with this newspaper. Crinkle it up. Rub it between your
fingers. Roll it up and whack it on your shoe. Soak it in water
and squeeze it over a bucket. How many different sounds can you
find some other things that make interesting sounds. Test them
on your friends. Can they think how these sounds might be used
in a movie?
you make a "sound scene" that you can hear, but not
see? (Like footsteps followed by a creaking door; then the door
slams and SOMEONE SCREAMS! Instant horror flick.)
you get good at this, you can make your own movie soundtrack.
need a tape recorder with a clean tape (NOT the one your big sister
has her lecture notes on), and your favorite video.
turn down the TV, record your own sounds, and then play the two
together. Voila! You're a Foley artist!
Cool Foley Sound Stuff
Box of Cereal
Pile of Pennies
Block of Wood