L02: Know the techniques and processes used to create sound elements

Foley 

 What is Foley?

Foley is when an artist uses a wide range of different equipment to create different sounds and atmospheres for an audio visual product, such as movies and Tv shows which would be done in a sound studio during the post production stage of filming. The reason why this was done, was to enhance the audio of a video by recreating what we as an audience would think we would hear in that environment. 

History of Foley

Foley was first used in the 1920s in live broadcast radio stations. Radio artists hire to come in and use live and use the sound they can create on cue. The reason why radio artists used this instead of using a phonograph, radio artist's found that using live sound in the radio station had much more better quality and clearer sounds deeming them more effective. The most recognised artist who did this was Jack Foley who went from live radio broadcasts to the filming industry. 

What do Foley Artists do?

Foley artists recreate sounds that we hear in our everyday lives such as, footsteps, doors opening and closing, wind blowing and the sound of waves on a beach. These sounds are added to the Post-Production to enhance or create a greater atmosphere for the audience when they are watching a movie or Tv show.

The 3 types of Foley sound 

There are 3 types of Foley sounds that are used in Post Production of a film that are used to create sound. The first one being feet, which is the most common use of Foley to create the sound of footsteps, as Foley artists will use different types of shoes and floor surfaces to try and recreate the steps in the film. The second one used the most is movement. For example the sound of someone walking down a staircase, a Foley artist would stomp their feet on a marble slap as they watch the footage. The third type of Foley sound is specifics, foley artists would use specific objects and materials to create sound. For example, the sound of glass being smashed in action films would be done by glass bottles or glass windows depending on what is being smashed. 

What happens during a Foley recording session?

During a recording session, Foley artists would use objects and materials for specific scenes in a movie or Tv show. For example, if soldiers were marching on a concrete floor, the Foley artists would use a concrete slap, and steel capped boots to try and recreate that sound effect of the soldiers marching, either by stamping on the slap with their feet or by having the boots on their hands depending on how fast they are going. Also Foley artists can create the sound of fire crackling by using cellophane or other food packaging to create a much more clear crackling. 

Theme Music 

Theme music is used in many different types of media such as television shows, movies, video games and even in live events. It is a musical composition that is designed to bring out emotions and set out scenes for the audience to either enjoy or get emotional over. Theme music can either be instrumental or vocal, can it can range from simple music or catchy music to being complexed and orchestral. 

Film Scores

Film scores are a musical composition that plays during the filming of the music. They are used to set the mood for what the viewer will be seeing and can help them understand complex action scenes. Film score can help convey emotion, such as sadness or happiness without needing words from the characters. 

L01: Understand how sound elements are used across media industries.

 Sound in Media Products

Sound in Movies

Duel Of The Fates- Star Wars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo__6MZIg6U

This is the final fight scene in Star Wars The Phantom Menace. The Purpose of the music in Duel Of The Fates is to entertain their audience who are watching the scene as it is the main and last fight scene we get in the movie. 

The type of sounds we hear in Duel of the Fates starts with their singers singing in harmony at a high pitch to build up suspense in that scene. Then we get a build up of a brass instrument either a trumpet or trombone to then having the melody slowly build up in tempo and volume. The combination of the instruments and the people singing creates an action packed tension throughout the rest of the film to keep their audience drawn to the film. The sound contributes to the fight scene in the film as the actors don't speak at all in the fight as its all sound of the music being played and sound of lightsabers clashing in the fight.  

Sound in Video Games 

D-Day Call of Duty WWII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZZ6Q1xzD7Y&t=28s

This is the opening scene in the Call of Duty WWII campaign. The Purpose of the sound in Call of Duty WWII was to make the D-Day event as real as possible.  Without even seeing the screen we can hear the sound of rain and sounds of explosions which already gives us an unsettling atmosphere right at the start. Also, we hear dialogue from a solider talking to the main character. The words he said was "hey, I wish I was coming home to her", which gives us the impression that there is an uncertainty that they will make it out. Not even a minute into the game we hear guns being fired, along with bullets flying past us, to then hearing the sound of soldiers shouting and the connection of bullets on the metal boats. As soon as the boat arrives to Normandy we can hear a boat collide with our boat knocking us down, as soon as the barrier opens we hear the sound of people being shot at around us. We then hear the sound of men shouting and screaming as Daniel runs further up the beach as explosions and guns fire around him. 

Sound in Audio Visuals

Peter Kay John Smiths Advert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx8Qqxd0ztQ

This is an advert for the beer company John Smiths.The purpose of the sound on the John Smiths advert is to inform and entertain. At the start of the advert we have a commentator announcing who is the first diver called Darren Croll from Australia. We then know instantly from these sounds that there is a professional diving contest happening. We hear the sound of the diver jumping of the spring board, and then hearing the sound of the diver splash into the water, which further confirms that it is a diving competition. The advert continues bringing swimmers up and doing their best flip on the board. Until we get to John Smith (Peter Kay) who performs a running bomb into the water with the crowd cheering for him. 

Fictional TV Series

Peaky Blinders- Tommy Kills Micheal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDQ_rzioQgw&t=29s

In this scene of the final episode of the Peaky Blinders, we get a build up of suspense of this scene, as we can hear a choir singing, while each passing moment they get louder, till we hear a massive explosion from one of the cars. The scene then moves to Micheal who is sat in the bar waiting for the car to explode so he knows his plan is complete. We can still hear the flames from outside of the bar which tells us that the event took place close to where Micheal is. However, the words "It's over " creates an atmosphere of relief for Micheal as he thinks he has killed Thomas Shelby. However, during the following scene we hear the use of a horn being echoed which can tell an audience something is coming, as these horns were used during the beginning of a battle during the Viking eras. We can then hear Thomas draw out his gun as the sound of the gun being loaded can be distinctively heard. When Thomas and Micheal stand face to face with each other more suspenseful music begins playing to keep the audience watching what is about to happen. The sound of the fires in the background also adds to this scene. After the argument between over Thomas and Micheal, Thomas's final words in this scene is " She still visits me in my dreams, She'll visit me no more" before firing his pistol into Michael's eye killing him instantly, marking the end of his nightmares.