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One of the most critical, yet underappreciated links of the film sound chain is Foley recording. You probably know the basics. It was named after the great Universal Studios sound man Jack Foley (see "You Don't Know Jack!" sidebar on page 54) and covers an incredibly wide range of sounds that are added in post-production: everything from car door slams to footsteps, to garment rustles, to jingling keys, sloshing water, furniture moving, sword hits; you name it. Basically, Foley is everything that isn't covered by sound effects or through the production track. Occasionally, the Foley department will also supply the base sound materials for effects editors.
And though the work may seem simple as compared to, say, recording the sounds of Sherman tank treads on location (an effects task), it's actually a very demanding and precise job that, when done well, adds immeasurably to the success of a film's soundtrack. Recently, Mix spoke with three of the best Foley artists in the business to get a sense of the demands and peculiarities of this important craft.
Originally from Radnor, Penn., John Roesch started out in acting but later got into filmmaking, even sharing a prize with some colleagues at the San Diego Film Festival in 1976. Stints at NYU Film School and the American Film Institute followed, "but after a while, I realized I didn't really dig directing," he says. "Then one day, I got a call from somebody to work on sound for a film, just to help out. It turns out I was the only guy who had sneakers on and they needed some Foley
and the rest is history!" he says with a laugh. "I was lucky enough to work with some really talented supervising sound editors who gave me a lot of on-the-job training - Gordon Ecker Jr. being one and Chuck Campbell the other. They would be on the stage with me all the time, directing, if you will: "Can you give me a little more scuff here?" "Can you try that again but with a lighter touch?" And by osmosis and by doing it, I got better."
Roesch has been working in the business for the past 25 years - the last 12 at Warner Bros. Studios' facilities...
