b"ABOUTFOLEY EFFECTS History of Foley Effects What is now called Foley is a range of live sound effects originally developed for live broadcasts of radio drama in the early 1920s in various radio studios around the world. Because no effective recording method existed in those days, all sounds for radio plays had to be created live. Jack Donovan Foley started working with Universal Studios in 1914 during the silent movie era. When Warner studios released its first film to include sound, The Jazz Singer, Universal knew it needed to get on the bandwagon and called for any employees who had radio experience to come forward. Foley became part of the sound crew that turned Universals then upcoming silent musical Show Boat into a musical. Because microphones of the time could not pick up more than dialogue, other sounds had to be added in after the film was shot. Foley and his small crew projected the film on a screen while recording a single track of audio that captured their live sound effects. Their timing had to be perfect, so that footsteps and closing doors synchronized with the actors' motions in the film. Jack Foley created sounds for films until his death in 1967. His basic methods are still used by Foley artists today. Almost every motion picture and television show you have ever seen and heard contains a Foley track!Jack Donovan FoleyCommon Foley Tricks Corn starch in a leather pouch makes the sound of snow crunching. A water soaked rusty hinge when placed against different surfaces makes a creaking sound. A heavy staple gun combined with other small metal sounds make good gun noises. Acorns, small apples, and walnuts on wooden parquet surface can be used for bones breaking. A pair of gloves sounds like bird wings flapping. An old chair makes a controllable creaking sound. A metal rake makes the rattle/squeak sound of chain-link fence. Gelatin and hand soap make squishing noises. Frozen romaine lettuce makes bone or head injury noises. Coconut shells cut in half and stuffed with padding makes horse hoof noises. Cellophane creates crackling fire effects. A selection of wooden and metal doors are needed to create all sorts of door noises, but also can be used for creaking boat sounds. Shawn Goudie in the 2018 production of Its a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!A heavy phone book makes body-punching sounds. Photo by Michael Brosilow. (edited from Wikipedia.org)ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO!BACKSTAGE GUIDE 11"