Using adorable balloons to
make furious monster roars, fried bacon to make pouring rain sounds and fresh
celery to sound like bones breaking are all part of sound effects. Foley
artists do an incredible job of using everyday items to recreate special sounds
that are used in our favorite films. Improvisation and endless imagination help
them to give us an incredible movie-watching experience. They’re the true
magicians!
make furious monster roars, fried bacon to make pouring rain sounds and fresh
celery to sound like bones breaking are all part of sound effects. Foley
artists do an incredible job of using everyday items to recreate special sounds
that are used in our favorite films. Improvisation and endless imagination help
them to give us an incredible movie-watching experience. They’re the true
magicians!
Bright Side is amazed by the
work done by Foley artists and invites you to take a sneak peek at their
profession. So go ahead and grab some popcorn, it’s time to enjoy some
behind-the-scenes action! In the bonus section, we’ve even included a typical
moment from a Foley artist’s day.
work done by Foley artists and invites you to take a sneak peek at their
profession. So go ahead and grab some popcorn, it’s time to enjoy some
behind-the-scenes action! In the bonus section, we’ve even included a typical
moment from a Foley artist’s day.
1.
Groans and roars of monsters — rubbing on a balloon
Groans and roars of monsters — rubbing on a balloon
To recreate a complicated
roar, something really harmless is used — a simple balloon! For example, in the
2014 remake of Godzilla, Foley artists used an inflated balloon to make most of
their roaring sounds. They rubbed on it and recorded the result.
roar, something really harmless is used — a simple balloon! For example, in the
2014 remake of Godzilla, Foley artists used an inflated balloon to make most of
their roaring sounds. They rubbed on it and recorded the result.
2.
Pouring rain sounds — fried bacon
Pouring rain sounds — fried bacon
Sometimes Foley artists don’t
need to wait for bad weather conditions to record rain sounds. In fact,
sometimes real rain sounds aren’t as loud as they need them to be. In this
case, the sound of bacon sizzling on a pan is just perfect. They also may use
the sound of falling rice for the same purpose.
need to wait for bad weather conditions to record rain sounds. In fact,
sometimes real rain sounds aren’t as loud as they need them to be. In this
case, the sound of bacon sizzling on a pan is just perfect. They also may use
the sound of falling rice for the same purpose.
3.
Crushing sounds — celery
Crushing sounds — celery
The sound of breaking bones or
crushing things under a big creature’s feet doesn’t actually require harming
anyone. In reality, it’s way more humane — they just use a piece of celery. Its
sounds are perfect for imitating anything crunchy and you won’t ever suspect
the difference!
crushing things under a big creature’s feet doesn’t actually require harming
anyone. In reality, it’s way more humane — they just use a piece of celery. Its
sounds are perfect for imitating anything crunchy and you won’t ever suspect
the difference!
4.
Walking horse sounds — coconuts
Walking horse sounds — coconuts
When you knock dried empty
coconuts on a hard surface, it makes a familiar sound. Yep, it’s the sound
horse hooves make while hitting the ground. This improvised tool can help to
create any kind of pace with any mood. It’s a cheap and easy alternative for Foley
artists!
coconuts on a hard surface, it makes a familiar sound. Yep, it’s the sound
horse hooves make while hitting the ground. This improvised tool can help to
create any kind of pace with any mood. It’s a cheap and easy alternative for Foley
artists!
5.
The sound of shooting and replacing arrows — bamboo
The sound of shooting and replacing arrows — bamboo
It’s hard to catch the sound
of flying arrows while filming. What’s even harder is being able to catch the
sound of running low on arrows. In this situation, a small stick of bamboo can
save the day. By quickly waving this stick in front of a microphone, Foley
artists manage to capture the needed effect.
of flying arrows while filming. What’s even harder is being able to catch the
sound of running low on arrows. In this situation, a small stick of bamboo can
save the day. By quickly waving this stick in front of a microphone, Foley
artists manage to capture the needed effect.
6.
The sound of gunshots — staple guns
The sound of gunshots — staple guns
A heavy staple gun is a
perfect object to create the sound of a shooting gun. It allows an artist to
control the scene and add more or less special effects to it. Together with
sound, producers are able to recreate the most original, thrilling gun sound.
perfect object to create the sound of a shooting gun. It allows an artist to
control the scene and add more or less special effects to it. Together with
sound, producers are able to recreate the most original, thrilling gun sound.
7.
Walking in the snow — cornstarch
Walking in the snow — cornstarch
Walking in crunchy, fresh snow
sounds truly amazing. Cornstarch is a great substitution to recreate it inside
a studio. Artists pour out a large amount of it into a huge box, wear some
special shoes, and start stepping. On a recording, you can’t even tell for sure
whether it’s a real snow sound or if it’s the work of a Foley artist.
sounds truly amazing. Cornstarch is a great substitution to recreate it inside
a studio. Artists pour out a large amount of it into a huge box, wear some
special shoes, and start stepping. On a recording, you can’t even tell for sure
whether it’s a real snow sound or if it’s the work of a Foley artist.
8.
Thunder sounds — aluminum sheets
Thunder sounds — aluminum sheets
Different objects can be used
to create realistic sounds and one of them is a huge sheet of aluminum foil.
Swinging and shaking it in front of a microphone can remind listeners of thunder.
After adding some more side effects, this can be used for films that feature
bad weather conditions.
to create realistic sounds and one of them is a huge sheet of aluminum foil.
Swinging and shaking it in front of a microphone can remind listeners of thunder.
After adding some more side effects, this can be used for films that feature
bad weather conditions.
9.
Punching sounds — pieces of meat
Punching sounds — pieces of meat
No bruises have to be created
during this process. To create the sounds of slapping and hitting, artists use
raw meat that falls onto a hard surface. They also sometimes punch the meat. A
more humane version can be done using a big book, though they also have to drop
it onto something hard.
during this process. To create the sounds of slapping and hitting, artists use
raw meat that falls onto a hard surface. They also sometimes punch the meat. A
more humane version can be done using a big book, though they also have to drop
it onto something hard.
10.
Swinging — rusty hinges
Swinging — rusty hinges
Swinging sounds can be used in
different movies to create a tense atmosphere. For this, Foley artists use
things like rusty hinges. They also use these to create the sounds of old,
creaky doors. This sound is ideal for creeping out scary movie-goers.
different movies to create a tense atmosphere. For this, Foley artists use
things like rusty hinges. They also use these to create the sounds of old,
creaky doors. This sound is ideal for creeping out scary movie-goers.
11.
Heartbeat sounds — trash cans
Heartbeat sounds — trash cans
A lot of touching or scary
moments require the sound of a heartbeat to make the situation more emotional.
Plastic trash cans may not be that romantic, but they’re great at creating the
needed heartbeat sound. Artists flip them over and rhythmically press on the
bottom to achieve the desired result.
moments require the sound of a heartbeat to make the situation more emotional.
Plastic trash cans may not be that romantic, but they’re great at creating the
needed heartbeat sound. Artists flip them over and rhythmically press on the
bottom to achieve the desired result.
12.
Sounds of kisses — arms and lips
Sounds of kisses — arms and lips
This Foley technique is fun,
fast and easy. To create a nice kissing sound, artists will often kiss their
own hands. They give those hands a smooch to create a romantic moment full of
love and affection! For even better results they may also apply some water to
their lips before kissing their hands.
fast and easy. To create a nice kissing sound, artists will often kiss their
own hands. They give those hands a smooch to create a romantic moment full of
love and affection! For even better results they may also apply some water to
their lips before kissing their hands.
13.
The sound of a falling body — big books
The sound of a falling body — big books
Normally, a body falling onto
the ground makes a clunking sound. Foley artists use an easy method to recreate
this sound without inflicting any pain by using big books. By making these
books fall or even slam onto the ground or other surfaces, they achieve the
needed sound.
the ground makes a clunking sound. Foley artists use an easy method to recreate
this sound without inflicting any pain by using big books. By making these
books fall or even slam onto the ground or other surfaces, they achieve the
needed sound.
14.
Сrackling fire sounds — bubble wrap or cooking paper
Сrackling fire sounds — bubble wrap or cooking paper
Real fire doesn’t always make
tons of crackling noises, though they still sound really soothing and sometimes
satisfying. Crinkling bubble wrap or baking paper comes in handy to create a
proper atmosphere for any film. But the process isn’t exactly relaxing for
Foley artists.
tons of crackling noises, though they still sound really soothing and sometimes
satisfying. Crinkling bubble wrap or baking paper comes in handy to create a
proper atmosphere for any film. But the process isn’t exactly relaxing for
Foley artists.
15.
Hatching or cracking egg sounds — ice cream cones
Hatching or cracking egg sounds — ice cream cones
A dry ice cream cone is used
to create the sound of an eggshell being cracked. In some films, different
creatures hatch from various eggs. In this case, artists squish melons while
wearing rubber gloves covered in liquid soap — a wet sound is guaranteed!
to create the sound of an eggshell being cracked. In some films, different
creatures hatch from various eggs. In this case, artists squish melons while
wearing rubber gloves covered in liquid soap — a wet sound is guaranteed!
Bonus:
Being a Foley artist isn’t always easy but it sure is fun!
Being a Foley artist isn’t always easy but it sure is fun!
Did you expect any of these
objects to be used for sound effects? What’s your favorite film that features
cool music and sound effects? Please share your thoughts in the comment
section!
objects to be used for sound effects? What’s your favorite film that features
cool music and sound effects? Please share your thoughts in the comment
section!
BRIGHTSIDE
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.