Jack Foley pioneered the art of Foley, which involves adding missing or soft sounds to movies in post-production to make them more realistic. Foley artists watch films and recreate sounds like footsteps, clothing movements, and specific effects by manipulating objects that mimic the desired sounds. They categorize these added sounds as moves, feet, or specifics depending on what aspect of the film they enhance.

1. Presented by Jeremy Greer The Art of Foley

2. In the early 1920 ’ s, movies made the transition from silent films to “ talkies. ”

3. Dialog and music made the movies much more interesting, but they just didn ’ t seem right without the smaller sounds.

4. Jack Foley decided it was worth the hassle to add the missing sounds to make the movies more realistic. He pioneered a new art and lead the way for hordes of Foley Artists.

5. Foley artists watch the movie in a recording studio. With their eyes glued to the action, they recreate the sounds that are too soft or missing altogether.

6. Moves Feet Specifics The sounds Foley artists create fall into one of three areas:

7. MOVES When people move, they make noise. These sounds are mostly caused by clothing being brushed against something. To emulate this sound, Foley Artists will rub different fabrics along their bodies.

8. FEET The most important aspect missing from a movie when it gets to the Foley Artist is the sound of falling footsteps. The artist will actually recreate the steps with the appropriate shoes and walking surfaces.

9. SPECIFICS Every other sound falls into the SPECIFICS category. Creating these sounds is what comes to mind when most people think of Foley artists. Creativity is a must when it comes to SPECIFICS. Effect How it’s done Horse hooves Clacking coconut halves filled with straw Body-punches Striking watermelons Star Trek doors Slipping paper out of an envelope Breaking bones Snapping celery or crushing heads of lettuce Bird wings Flapping leather gloves Grass underfoot Balled-up audio tape

10. The next time you’re watching a movie, take notice of the glass breaking, the stairs creaking, and the lips smacking. Without Foley, you wouldn’t hear these sounds that make the movie come to life. For more information: Wikipedia Marblehead - What is it, man? NPR