Foley sound

What is 'Foley'?

The technique is named after Jack Foley, who established the basic modern techniques still used today. Like most terms that are named in honour of a person; it is customary to spell Foley with a capital "F".

Foley effects are sound effects added to the film during post production. They include sounds such as footsteps, clothes rustling, crockery clinking, paper folding, doors opening and slamming, punches hitting, glass breaking etc. In other words, many of the sounds that are needed are avoided when they naturally occur and they are then artificially added later on.
Foley is usually performed by Foley artists. Ideally they stand on a Foley stage (an area with a variety of possible surfaces and props) in a specialized sound studio. The Foley artists can clearly see a screen which displays the footage they are to add sound fx to and they watch it to get the timing perfected.

Why use 'Foley'?
When watching a film, the audience needs to hear the little sounds (such as the movement of clothes) this is for the picture to come alive. However, these sounds need to be controlled so the dialogue is clear and not obscured.
Foley can also be used to enhance comedy or action scenes. In most comedy films many of the sounds are enhanced for comic effect, and sometimes the Foley sound is the joke. As for action, most fist fights do not involve the actors really hitting each other, and even if they did a satisfying punch sound would not be included. By punching and variously molesting such objects as cabbages, celery and sides of beef, Foley artists can record unique and much more 'realistic' action sounds.

I researched this information on the website http://www.sound-ideas.com/what-is-foley.html



This is a short video showing Foley artists at work.