9 Facts About How Sound Effects in Our Favorite Movies Are Made

Using adorable balloons to make furious monster roars, fried bacon to make pouring rain sounds and fresh celery to sound like bones breaking are all part of sound effects. Foley artists do an incredible job of using everyday items to recreate special sounds that are used in our favorite films. Improvisation and endless imagination help them to give us an incredible movie-watching experience. They’re the true magicians!

1. Groans and roars of monsters — rubbing on a balloon

To recreate a complicated roar, something really harmless is used — a simple balloon! For example, in the 2014 remake of Godzilla, Foley artists used an inflated balloon to make most of their roaring sounds. They rubbed on it and recorded the result.

2. Pouring rain sounds — fried bacon

Sometimes Foley artists don’t need to wait for bad weather conditions to record rain sounds. In fact, sometimes real rain sounds aren’t as loud as they need them to be. In this case, the sound of bacon sizzling on a pan is just perfect. They also may use the sound of falling rice for the same purpose.

3. Crushing sounds — celery

The sound of breaking bones or crushing things under a big creature’s feet doesn’t actually require harming anyone. In reality, it’s way more humane — they just use a piece of celery. Its sounds are perfect for imitating anything crunchy and you won’t ever suspect the difference!

4. Walking horse sounds — coconuts

When you knock dried empty coconuts on a hard surface, it makes a familiar sound. Yep, it’s the sound horse hooves make while hitting the ground. This improvised tool can help to create any kind of pace with any mood. It’s a cheap and easy alternative for Foley artists!

5. The sound of gunshots — staple guns

A heavy staple gun is a perfect object to create the sound of a shooting gun. It allows an artist to control the scene and add more or less special effects to it. Together with sound, producers are able to recreate the most original, thrilling gun sound.

6. Walking in the snow — cornstarch

Walking in crunchy, fresh snow sounds truly amazing. Cornstarch is a great substitution to recreate it inside a studio. Artists pour out a large amount of it into a huge box, wear some special shoes, and start stepping. On a recording, you can’t even tell for sure whether it’s a real snow sound or if it’s the work of a Foley artist.

7. Swinging — rusty hinges

Swinging sounds can be used in different movies to create a tense atmosphere. For this, Foley artists use things like rusty hinges. They also use these to create the sounds of old, creaky doors. This sound is ideal for creeping out scary movie-goers.

8. The sound of a falling body — big books

Normally, a body falling onto the ground makes a clunking sound. Foley artists use an easy method to recreate this sound without inflicting any pain by using big books. By making these books fall or even slam onto the ground or other surfaces, they achieve the needed sound.

9. Сrackling fire sounds — bubble wrap or cooking paper

Real fire doesn’t always make tons of crackling noises, though they still sound really soothing and sometimes satisfying. Crinkling bubble wrap or baking paper comes in handy to create a proper atmosphere for any film. But the process isn’t exactly relaxing for Foley artists.