Presented by Jeremy GreerPresented by Jeremy Greer
In the early 1920’s, movies made the transition from silent films to “talkies.”
Dialog and music made the movies much more interesting, but they just didn’t seem right without the smaller sounds.
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Jack Foley decided it was worth the hassle to add the missing sounds to make the movies more realistic. He pioneered a new art and lead the way for hordes of Foley Artists.
Foley artists watch the movie in a recording studio. With their eyes glued to the action, they recreate the sounds that are too soft or missing altogether.
Moves
Feet
Specifics
The sounds Foley artists create fall into one of three areas:
When people move, they make noise. These sounds are mostly caused by clothing being brushed against something. To emulate this sound, Foley Artists will rub different fabrics along their bodies.
MOVES
FEETThe most important aspect missing from a movie when it gets to the Foley Artist is the sound of falling footsteps. The artist will actually recreate the steps with the appropriate shoes and walking surfaces.
SPECIFICSEvery other sound falls into the SPECIFICS category. Creating these sounds is what comes to mind when most people think of Foley artists. Creativity is a must when it comes to SPECIFICS.
EffectEffect How it’s doneHow it’s done
Horse hooves Clacking coconut halves filled with straw
Body-punches Striking watermelons
Star Trek doors Slipping paper out of an envelope
Breaking bones Snapping celery or crushing heads of lettuce
Bird wings Flapping leather gloves
Grass underfoot Balled-up audio tape
The next time you’re watching a The next time you’re watching a movie, take notice of the glass movie, take notice of the glass breaking, the stairs creaking, and breaking, the stairs creaking, and the lips smacking. Without Foley, the lips smacking. Without Foley, you wouldn’t hear these sounds you wouldn’t hear these sounds that make the movie come to life.that make the movie come to life.
For more information:
Wikipedia
Marblehead - What is it, man?
NPR