Foley
Foley is the art of creating and recording everyday sound effects for movies, TV shows, and videos after they've been filmed. Just like how makeup artists add visible details, Foley artists add audio details - they might use wooden blocks to create footstep sounds, or crinkle cellophane to make the sound of a crackling fire. This process is named after Jack Foley, who pioneered this technique in early filmmaking. When someone mentions Foley in their resume, they're talking about creating or managing these custom sound effects that make videos feel more realistic and engaging.
Examples in Resumes
Created Foley sound effects for 10+ short films
Managed Foley recording sessions for indie film productions
Led Foley department for streaming series, supervising sound creation for 12 episodes
Operated Foley recording equipment and directed Foley artists for commercial projects
Typical job title: "Foley Artists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Foley Artists
Online Communities
Professional Organizations
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage a Foley department and schedule multiple projects?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with team management, project scheduling, budget control, and maintaining quality across multiple productions while meeting deadlines.
Q: How do you handle challenging sound effects that seem impossible to recreate?
Expected Answer: Should explain problem-solving approach, creative solutions, and experience with combining multiple sound sources to achieve desired effects.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for matching footsteps to different character types and surfaces?
Expected Answer: Should describe methods for creating distinct sound personalities for different characters and adapting sounds to match various walking surfaces.
Q: How do you organize and maintain a Foley props collection?
Expected Answer: Should explain systems for categorizing props, maintaining inventory, and ensuring quick access during recording sessions.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic props would you use to create common everyday sounds?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic Foley techniques like using cornstarch for snow footsteps or cellophane for fire sounds.
Q: How do you sync Foley sounds with on-screen action?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic timing techniques and understanding of how to watch for visual cues while performing sounds.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic sound recording techniques
- Understanding of common Foley props
- Basic timing and sync skills
- Knowledge of recording software
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced prop manipulation
- Multiple surface footstep recording
- Efficient recording workflows
- Collaboration with sound editors
Senior (5+ years)
- Department management
- Complex sound creation
- Project budgeting
- Team leadership and training
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with actual Foley recording
- Lack of knowledge about basic recording equipment
- No understanding of film/video production workflow
- Unable to provide examples of created sound effects
Related Terms
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