Foley

Foley is the sound thats is re-created by the 'foley artist', in order to form a smooth and seamless track. For example, the use of props such as shoes or a metal chain can replace the original sound for a film and sometimes simply exaggerate what already exists.

"Foley helps to add back a controlled background layer of sound to produce a rich and realistic track."1.

Foley is needed in films as the natural background noises such as planes or the rustling of trees can be loud and overpower the original sound as it happens. As well as this, props used often aren't real. For example, an actor may appear to be walking on a marble floor, when in reality, the set designer has made it out of painted plywood. A foley artist ensures that all of these motions sound realistic. If you can't tell it's foley - it means it's done well!

Examples of Foley:

• Footsteps
• Picking up a set of keys
• Opening a Door

There are different types of Foley used in film. Moves, Feet and Specifies:

'Moves'  Track

  This is the sound that accompanies the sound of footsteps for example. It is the recreated noise of an actors clothing as it rustles when they move, walk or run. Having a moves track, the sound is a lot more realistic. Although it is subtle, it prevents the track from sounding too 'perfect'.

  You create this sound through simply taking the material of clothing that the actor wears, and rubbing it  gently against your body, holding it loosely in your hands to simulate the motion that is happening in the film. This is done by watching the action on a screen and creating the sound as it happens.

Footsteps

  Footsteps are one of the most important sound elements of the foley artist's job. The syncing is vital, along with ensuring that the right surface is used, for example, wood, concrete... As well as this, each step has a 'feeling', such as heavy or fast paced. The microphone is fixed when creating this sound, which makes it even harder for the artist as it diminishes the amount of space they have to perform.

1.

Specifics

  A specific is a sound that isn't the movement of clothing or footsteps. It is considered the fun part of foley, as it is where the artist can experiment with actions such as a punch in the face. You can use endless objects to form these sounds, for example, corn flour to re-create footsteps in snow.

References:

1. http://www.marblehead.net/foley/