ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

The Art of Foley: How Film Sounds Are Made by Hand

other · 2026-04-27

A short documentary by Jeremy Benning, shot at Footsteps Studio in Uxbridge, Ontario, reveals the craft of foley artists—sound professionals who manually create everyday noises like footsteps, glass breaking, and dog paws on parquet. Named after pioneer Jack Donovan Foley, the trade relies on hands-on experimentation with materials and techniques to achieve realistic audio for film productions. The film highlights that many sounds are still produced artisanal, surprising viewers accustomed to digital effects.

Key facts

  • Documentary directed by Jeremy Benning
  • Filmed at Footsteps Studio in Uxbridge, Ontario
  • Focuses on foley artists, named after Jack Donovan Foley
  • Sounds include footsteps, water spilling, dog paws, windows opening, punches
  • Emphasizes artisanal sound production over digital
  • Footsteps Studio is located in the Canadian countryside

Entities

Artists

  • Jack Donovan Foley
  • Jeremy Benning

Institutions

  • Footsteps Studio
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Uxbridge
  • Ontario
  • Canada

Sources