Foley moly : reality and the irrational in film

Film viewers rarely pay attention to the sounds of footsteps, clothing, and squeaky floorboards. Yet, these and other sounds provide crucial support to the story, and it is through Foley, named after sound-effects artist Jack Foley, that they exist. To enhance the auditory experience of a film, Foley sound artists re-create, in post-production, the realistic ambient sounds that microphones might not pick up in the initial recording. Foley sounds generally support characters, objects, and environments that are a part of the real, rational world. However, when Foley is associated with irrational elements of a film, it affects the viewer’s perception of what is and is not reality. An analysis of animated films that move between real and irrational worlds reveals that Foley influences the viewer’s comfort level with irrational themes. Foley can also help viewers more easily engage with irrational ideas that might otherwise be less relatable or accessible.