Foley Fun: The Art of Recycled Sound Effects
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.