Foley Sound

What is Foley Sound?

Foley sound is the use of audio for a scene created off camera separately from the rest of the footage, this is later layered over the rest of the footage in the editing process, making the audio seem natural while sounding clearer and often more authentic then when recorded normally. This often matches or enhances the quality or impact of an action, for example the sound of tires recorded as foley sound (created through dragging a hot water bottle, partially filled across a flat surface) is often more dramatic, building tension amongst audiences and making car chases or conflict more effective. 

Below is an example of two foley sound creators, making the sound effects side by side with the original footage, demonstrating the extent of sound effects created in post production. 

Another resource we used during our research of foley sound is a video of an incredibly successful foley sound creator demonstrating the techniques she used in her work.  

Our Preliminary Task

For our preliminary task we recorded foley sounds as a group creating sound effects for the screeching of tires, fire, glass breaking, rain, keys, footsteps and a flip knife opening. 

• Screeching of Tires- as mentioned above, we filled a rubber hot water bottle partially with water before scrunching the rubber up and scraping it across a flat surface, we used a varnished, wooden table in a empty class room to achieve this. However due to the complications of film a car in such a dangerous position, I ultimately did not use this in the preliminary task. 

• Fire- We created the sound effect of fire by snapping small twigs and sticks in half, this worked quite effectively, replicating a traditional camp fire.

• Glass Breaking- When creating this sound, we used old glass bottles and cups, throwing them into a secure bag, against gravel creating the ideal sound effect while limiting the broken glass to the bag, preventing mess and the health risks of shattered glass, especially when done in school. 

• Rain- To create the effect of rain, we used a hose against a variety of surfaces, like concrete, wood, plastic, metal and glass to replicate the sound of rain across different types of buildings or floors. 

• Keys- We used real keys in a variety of locks around the school, recording the sound of the keys unlocking a door and jingling in a person's pocket, giving us more potential of use in our task.

• Footsteps- We originally recorded footsteps of a boy and a girl walking across gravel separately, giving us a contrast in sound due to the differences of speed and posture. We also recorded the sound of metal high heels walking across gravel and smooth floors, giving us more options to include this in our narrative.

• Flip Knife- We used a set of car keys to replicate the click of a flip knife opening, giving us potential for any conflict or violent scenes. I ultimately used this sound effect as a car key, due to lack of access to flip knives or context in my narrative to include one. 

We were then asked to individually create examples of our foley sounds, I chose to create a narrative for this, creating a scene where a majority of these foley sounds were included. 

                                         

I used both a human and a dog in my narrative to create variety in the sound effects, of the footsteps against gravel in particular, this also helped created the narrative of a woman returning home from work and walking her dog.