By Ricardo Rodriguez, ETM-LA Music Teacher
Education Through Music-Los Angeles
April 22, 2024

 

Foley Fun: The Art of Recycled Sound Effects

Grade Level: Middle School (6th-8th grade)

Aim: Students will understand the concept of foley sound effects and create their own sounds for a short video clip, using recycled materials.

CA VAPA Standards:
Media Arts:
MA:Cr1 (Anchor Standard 1: Generate and Conceptualize Artistic Ideas and Work)
MA:Cr3 (Achor Standard 3: Refine and Complete Artistic Work)

Music: MU:Cr3.1 (Anchor Standard 3: Refine and Complete Artistic Work)

Cultural Responsive Teaching Competency:

• Sustainability: This project encourages awareness of reusing materials, contributing to an environmentally friendly mindset.

SEL Competency:

• Self-expression and Collaboration: Students express their creativity and collaborate to create a cohesive soundscape.

Teacher Action(s):

• Set the scene: Show examples of foley in action (easily found on YouTube) and discuss how it enhances storytelling.
• Facilitate Experimentation: Provide a variety of recycled materials and ample time for exploration.
• Support Collaboration: Encourage students to share ideas and work together to create the final sound effects.

Materials/Technology:

• Provide a wide assortment of recycled materials: cardboard boxes, plastic containers, bubble wrap, fabric scraps, etc.)
• Video Editing Software (optional): For a more polished presentation, students can edit their foley recordings directly onto the video clip.
• Device for video playback.

 

Activities

 

1. Foley Discovery (15 minutes):

• • Watch a short video clip (cartoon, nature scene, etc.) with the sound on mute.
  • Brainstorm: What kinds of sounds could be added to make the scene more realistic and engaging?
    (Footsteps, animal noises, weather, objects interacting, etc.)

 

2. Material Exploration (20 minutes):

• • Provide a wide assortment of recycled materials: cardboard boxes, plastic containers, bubble wrap, fabric scraps, etc.)
  • Challenge: Experiment to discover what interesting sounds each material can make using different techniques (tapping, shaking, crumpling, etc.).
  • Sound Journal: Students take notes on which materials create their favorite sounds and how they produced them.

 

3. Foley for Film (25 minutes):

• • Choose a short, silent video clip with a variety of potential sound needs.
  • Assign Sounds: Divide the class into groups, each group responsible for a specific type of sound (movement, nature, objects, etc.)
  • Collaboration: Groups work together, experimenting with their materials to create sounds matching the on-screen actions.

 

4. The Final Mix (15 minutes):

• • Students will present their sounds; record audio.
  • Layer the group-created foley sounds over the video clip.
  • Playback and Reflection: Watch the finished video! Discuss:
    • Which sounds worked well and why?
    • What adjustments might they make?
    • How did the foley change their experience of the video?

 

Assessment:

• Observation: Monitor student engagement and their ability to create sounds that sync with the visual action.
• Grade Level: Middle School (6th-8th grade)
• Aim: Students will understand the concept of foley sound effects and create their own sounds for a short video clip, using recycled materials.