Have you ever thought while watching TV or movies: Sometimes there are so many people and objects in one frame, but you can hear all their sounds. How do the producers make these sounds so real and clear? Follow Studio Insider into the world of Foley, where artists use ordinary objects to recreate sounds – from the crunch of footsteps on the snow to the swish of a sword being drawn. Let’s enter the wonderful world of Foley props and learn how these everyday items make the scenes come alive.

Named after sound effects pioneer Jack Foley, this art enhances the sound quality of film and television by recreating the sounds from everyday life. Foley artists synchronize these sounds with the action on screen to make the scenes more immersive. Keith Alexander, an Audio Post Production Master, has decades of practical experience in the Broadcast, Game, Digital and Film industries. He explains:​ “Foley is when the action on the screen is complemented with a score of sound played out by a Foley artist in the recording studio,”

“A foley artist is the expert that mimics the action on the screen and plays the part of the actor’s walk or clothes or any props they may have.” Like many foley artists, Keith has the ability to transform ordinary objects into something magical. They carefully select and manipulate props to match the action on screen, ensuring that every footstep, rustle and clang enhances the audience’s experience. 

You may wonder that why not just record the actual sounds while filming?

This is why foley is so important to film and television works. Keith explained that when watching TV or movies, the audience may not notice the existence of other detailed sounds besides the dialogue, but if they suddenly disappear, the whole show will become weird. He says: “When a scene is being filmed, there’s no focus on picking up this type of noise that is focusing mainly on recording the dialogue.”

How does it work:

Keith shows and explains some representative sounds for several different scenes:

• Footsteps: To simulate different walking surfaces, artists might use gravel, sand, or even cornstarch. For example, cornstarch in a leather bag can replicate the crunch of snow.

• Rustle of clothing: Suede or other soft materials are often treated to recreate the subtle sounds of cloth moving, adding realism to a scene without relying entirely on field recordings.

• Drawing a sword: That iconic metallic sound of a sword being unsheathed? Often, it’s just a kitchen spatula sliding across a metal plate.

• Breaking bones: Snapping celery or carrots can be an unnervingly accurate simulation of a broken bone in an action or horror shot.

• Flapping wings: The flapping of gloves or the swishing of a thin stick through the air can simulate the sound of a bird taking flight.

The process of finding the perfect prop requires a combination of research, intuition, trial and error. Foley artists have a vast library of props and materials, each selected for its unique sonic properties. They may spend hours testing different items to achieve the desired effect, ensuring that the sound fits seamlessly with the visual and emotional context of the scene.

Keith says, “As a new Foley artist, it’s easy to become overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right props.

“What I did was to follow my peers and conduct a lot of experiments to enrich my experience, while making sure I maintained my curiosity and courage to explore.”

The key to effective foley is creativity. Artists are constantly experimenting with various objects to discover new sounds. For example, the sound of a creaking boat can be created by twisting and bending an old leather chair. It’s all about thinking outside the box, or sometimes, in the kitchen drawer. 

Keith believes that constant experimentation is also an important part of foley: “Sometimes I would spend a whole morning in the studio with just two plastic plates trying to find different sounds.”

As the work of foley is so broad and there are so many different kinds of sounds that artists need to mimic, Keith himself is still learning new things till this day. He says: “I find that people like to use the same props to make sounds, which may not be able to jump out of the box of thinking, so it helps to look at things from a different perspective from time to time.”

Top tips:

If you’re fascinated by the world of Foley, here’s how you can get your foot in the door into this unique field:​

• Education: While there’s no strict educational path, courses in audio production, sound design, or music can provide a solid foundation. ​

• Hands-on experience: Start experimenting with creating sounds using everyday objects. Build a portfolio by adding sound effects to short films or animations. ​

• Networking: Connect with professionals in the industry. Attend workshops, join online forums, and seek mentorship to learn the nuances of the craft. ​

• Internships: Look for internships or assistant positions at recording studios. Hands-on experience is invaluable and can open the door to full-time positions. ​

Stay curious: The best Foley artists are eternal tinkerers, always exploring new objects and techniques to create authentic sounds.

For more articles like this, click here.