Foley (last blog / next blog)
by Michael Neel & Greg Ansin

So you've edited your dialogue and ADR. What's next? Foley.

Foley is any sound effect that you create after the shoot – opening a soda can, punches, a car starting, footsteps, monster sounds, etc. On some shoots there are sounds that you don't record – if you film a fight, for example, you won't record sounds of punches because your actors aren't really hitting each other. Or if you had unusable audio and have to replace missing sounds you will need to do foley – even in the most mundane scenes of two people walking down the street there are sounds of footsteps, cars passing by, birds, etc.

Foley is very important because if you do it right the audience won't know that you've done anything at all. But if it isn't there they will know that something is missing, even if they can't tell you what it is. You don't want someone to feel that way when watching your movie.

Many foley sounds don't sound like they do in real life, but in the movies we expect them to sound a certain way. Punches are a great example. Pick any action movie and any time someone is punched it sounds like a big, meaty whack. Real punches don't sound this way, but we expect them to in the movies. A lot of foley sounds are like this. If you've watched a lot of movies or TV you probably know what certain foley sounds should sound like – you just need to think about it, or watch a movie that has a sound you like and listen closely.

Sometimes you will make foley sounds to make special fx come to life. For example, if you have a monster in your movie then the only noises it made on set were the sounds of the operator making it move, or maybe someone going “Grrrr.” These sounds won't work in your movie – as far as the audience knows, the monster is real in your story and should make its own sounds. You can have a lot of fun with foley in a situation like this – taking many sounds from the real world and combining them to make something new. Be creative!

There are lots of great web clips on youtube that show you how to do foley sounds, and can give you some great ideas. Like many things in filmmaking, there aren't many crew members involved in recording foley – two people is usually good, one to make the sound and the other to record it. All you need is your time.

What they are saying about the Drive-In Horrorshow....

"10 out of 10"
- From Infernal Dreams

"Drive-In Horrorshow delivers a visual feast of blood splatter and clever storytelling."
- From Fangoria

"Drive-In Horrorshow takes the anthology and juices it fully with five unique stories that range from clever comedy to dark body horror."
- From Deadly Doll's House of Horror Nonsense

"A well made anthology of short films."
- Zombie Movie Database

"Highly recommended for those who want to confront the monsters under the bed of their childhood. And as always find them scary."
- From I 400 Calci (translated from Italian)

"The general tone of this film struck me, because I've seen real passion for the genre."
- From Ulteriorit Precedente (translated from Italian)

"This is a high recommend from me, very entertaining and obviously done by filmmakers who love the genre. Long live the horror anthology!"
- From McBastard's Mausoleum

"Drive in Horror Show is–WITHOUT A DOUBT–the greatest horror anthology since George Romero's Creepshow"
- From Planet Fury

"I can't stop singing its praises."
- From Rogue Cinema

"If you like horror anthologies pick this one up, there's something for everyone here."
- From Deadly Indie Drive-In

"Every now and then a movie will come out that knocks you socks off and with its originality, creativity and magnetic appeal- well Drive in HorrorShow is that flick."
- From Angry Princess

"With a solid lineup of 5 stories that range from the serious to seriously goofy, Drive-In Horrorshow is the perfect film for a Friday night. Or any night for that matter."
- From Planet of Terror

"A tasty little anthology in the vein of Creepshow or Trick 'r Treat, Drive-In Horrorshow is a nifty treat of a film, well worth checking out." 
- From Radiation-Scarred Reviews

"A cut above the rest and slice of incredible independent filmmaking." 
- From Horrornews.net

"One of the most entertaining horror anthologies I have seen in a while."
- From KillingBoxx

"The horror world is a fickle beast but Drive-In Horror Show manages to walk the lines of the subgenres without missing a beat. It's appeal reaches to horror fans of all types."
-Bill Fulkerson from Outside The Cinema

"Celebrates the long-lost beauty of the drive-in theater and all its bloody glory."
- From Basement Screams

"A slick five tale anthology film that was independently made and a reminder of cool shit we used to see on late night TV when we were kids."
- From Gross Movie Reviews

"A good throw back to the late night creature feature."
- From Cinema Fromage

"Top notch effects that invoke fear and comedy at the same time.  I really really like this movie."
- Podcast at Movie Fan House

"Fantastic." 
-Podcast at Horrorstuff

Other Press:

"The horror! But that's what he seeks."
- The Boston Globe talks with the filmmakers

"What motivated you and Michael Neel to make the transition from candid interviews and political documentaries to ghoulish gore horror?"
- Pamela Torres at Punk Globe interviews DIHS producer Greg Ansin

"Wowzers! That really sounds like some good shit!"
- Arrow In The Head is psyched for the release of DIHS