Introduction to Foley

By: Nazia Adnin

​What the heck is Foley?
Without Foley effects a film sounds empty and hollow. It is a technique which enhances the movie experience and gives it a life. Foley effects are sound effects that added to the film during post production. In post production the sound is added to a scene syncing with the action of that scene. Foley sounds include sounds like footsteps, clothes-rustling, crockery-clinking, paper folding, doors opening and slamming, punches hitting, glass breaking, etc. etc. The technique was named after Jack Foley, a sound editor at Universal Studio. The word Foley is always spelt with a capitalized F to honor the person.

​How does Foley crew look like?
Usually, the Foley is performed by “Foley artists” in a Foley studio (a specialized sound studio). Foley artists match the live sound effects with the picture manually and not cut in with film. The Foley crew includes the artist or "walker," who makes the sound, and a technician or two to record and mix it. 

​How is Foley effects done?
Generally, the boom operators record dialogue and dialogue only excluding everything else.  Later on, during post production the Foley artists sync the sounds with the pictures. They perform the sound effects while watching the scene for timing. They actually create the ambience sounds shown in a film, video, Television shows or any other media. Excluding the ambience sounds during filming and then including them during post gives film makers control over the timing, quality, and relative volume of the sound effects. It enhances the audiences’ experiences of watching a film on big screen.
However, the use of digitally stored music is increasing rapidly. The process is being done without the Foley artists and performed by the post production sound engineer on a keyboard while watching the visual. Poorly done this type of sounds bland and are repetitive but it is much cheaper than renting a stage and hiring a Foley artist. But a lot of independent film makers do their own Foley sound replacements or take help from friends than using the digital music. Indie film makers are breaking the taboos and proving that Foley sounds are not for major studios only.

​Why “Foley” is important?
As mentioned above Foley sounds are the ambience sounds of a film which are added later in the studio to mix the dialogue with the sounds which enhances the auditory experience of the movie. Another significant use of Foley sound replacement is adding it to documentary footage. Foley also enhances the experience of watching action movies. It creates more suspense and drama in thrillers and horror movies. 

​How to use Foley sounds in independent film?
As I said already Foley is not only for major studios. If you are an independent filmmaker, you can easily record basic sound effects such as footsteps, clothes rustling, and prop handling as these are within the reach of low-budget movies. Even if you have to perform the role of Foley artist or take help from friends with sound equipments, still try adding own Foley sounds in the film. It will add aesthetic values to your film that will set it apart from others. 
This video will help you guys to understand what Foley is and how it gets done.