Foley research at home (6/5/2013)

I thought that in order to get the sound of stepping on gravel or grass I would use those tools easily accessible to me. However, since the lecture with Graeme showed us the different and more creative ways of using foley I decided to do some research at home and see what effective sounds I could make from odds and sods around my home. Some may end up in my demo, others were nice accidents I came across.

You can find creative findings below.

• Taking inspiration from the video shown in which a pillowcase made for an affective bird flapping sound. I decided to see if the same effect happened when using a hot water bottle. As it turns out you get a very similar sound which also sounds as if it is making an inaudible bird call thanks to any left over water inside it churning around. The plastic also makes it sound more fleshly. 
• Using a pair of jagged scissors sounds like the clicking of type writer keys.
• Shaking the bag I store all my bathroom items in makes a sound as if someone is carrying something heavy such as tools or other such items. 
• Dragging the two stone hearts I have at home on the side of the clay fruit bowl gave the sound of something heavy moving across a track. Therefore if I put two either side of the bowl and moved both of them across whilst speeding up the action I should be able to recreate the sound of a train passing. 
• Using a large piece of wrapping paper and shaking it rapidly gives the sound of heavy rain hitting a window. At the same time quickly tapping your fingers across it gives it the sound of light rain. 
• Clapping two small tins of Vaseline together makes the same horse trotting sound a hollow coconut makes.
• Tapping the empty metal bullet shell I have against the thin metal layer surrounding my lamp makes it sound as if steel work is happening e.g. a hammer hitting an anvil.
• Surprisingly, lightly squeezing a bag of Rowntrees Pick & Mix gives the same sound one would hear when stepping on gravel due to the variety of textures of the sweets inside the bag. Thus if you're not near gravel and need the sound just buy a bag of the sweets and enjoy them afterwards.