Recreating everyday sound effects to add texture and realism to a scene.
Foley is about recreating the sounds of character interactions with props and surfaces. It’s where sound artists breathe life into the subtle details—like the sound of footsteps or the rustle of clothing—that make a scene feel real. During production, the primary focus is on capturing dialogue, leaving other sounds like footsteps or prop-handling to be added later. Foley fills these gaps, making every movement and every action feel real and authentic.
Foley serves several purposes:
Imagine a confident woman striding across an office; her heels sound distinct, sharp, and purposeful. This might sound entirely different from another character, even if they are wearing the same shoes. A skilled foley artist will highlight the uniqueness of each character, helping them to come alive on-screen.
Foley is typically done after the initial phases of post-production, once the main audio and dialogue tracks are in place. It’s a crucial step later in the process, ensuring that all sounds align perfectly with the visuals and the overall tone of the project. Properly timed and executed foley is vital for creating a seamless audio experience that supports the narrative.
A fantastic facility and helped us achieve brilliant stereo and 5.1 mixes. 344 came with great ideas but was also sensitive to what we wanted to achieve.
I could not have asked for better service. Communication was always top notch and timely, and the dedication, patience, enthusiasm and professionalism is unmatched.
What 344 Audio delivered not only met my vision, but it exceeded my expectations and made for an astonishing work of art. My film now has the right audio to compliment the visuals.
Foley is for those that want to add an extra layer of realism and immersion to their projects. It’s essential for anyone aiming to craft a believable world whether in film, TV, or games. Foley is for those who recognise that every detail matters in storytelling, right down to the sound of a character’s footsteps.
Foley is performed by a highly skilled foley artist and mixer working in tandem. In our studio (which was designed in collaboration with world-renowned foley artist Pete Burgis), these two roles work as one cohesive unit. Our foley artist performs the sounds while our mixer captures them with precision.
A frequent challenge in foley is ensuring the sound is full and comprehensive. Projects often fail quality control because not all necessary foley sounds were recorded or the detail needed wasn’t achieved. At 344, we focus on these details, making sure every sound, no matter how subtle, contributes to a full, rich soundscape that passes checks and elevates the final product.
Consider our recent work on the film Munja, one of the top-grossing films in India in 2024. We were tasked with creating the original sounds for a tree-based creature brought to life through visual effects. Given an early VFX cut, our in-house foley artist, Danny, crafted sounds using acorns, organic textures, and tree bark to mimic the creature's movements. When the creature moved or cracked its head, you could hear the natural, believable sound of wood creaking and bending—something a sound effects library could never recreate. The sound supervisor was so impressed with the result that no changes were requested, and our foley work featured prominently in both the film and its trailer, which has been seen by millions.
