Foley Artists

Job Description:

Foley artists are responsible for creating the non-voice sounds heard in films, television shows and video games. They typically come in when editors need a specific sound recorded to match the action on screen. Foley artists typically use unorthodox objects to mimic sounds, such as using gloves to make flapping noises or using pinecones to mimic cracking knuckles.

Salary: According to the Motion Picture Editors Guild, the current standard wage for a foley artist is $144,202 a year, accounting for a 52-week work year. This averages out to $2,773 a week.

Occupational Outlook:

The U.S. BLS projects that the employment of film & video editors and camera operators (which includes Foley artists), may increase by 29% between 2020 and 2030. This would result in an addition of approximately 18,300 new jobs.

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

There is no formal education requirement. However, a background in sound engineering or music technology would be a great advantage to aspiring foley artists. Typically, foley apprenticeships are available to gain experience.

Berklee College of Music

Address: 1140 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02215

Website: https://www.berklee.edu/

Information on the Major: https://online.berklee.edu/music-degrees/graduate/music-production

Louisville University

Address: 2100 S Floyd St

Louisville, KY 40208

Website: https://louisville.edu/

Information on the Major: https://louisville.edu/music/academics/areas-of-study/newmedia

University of Kentucky

Address:

Lexington, Kentucky 40506

Website: https://www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.uky.edu/academics/bachelors/media-arts-studies

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

Sound recording
Sound editing and post-production
Exceptional ears for detail and nuance
Physical dexterity, coordination, and fitness
Basic acoustics
Time management
Imagination and creativity

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

There is no required software knowledge, but having ample experience in sound design tools is greatly beneficial.

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

You get to play with random objects for a living
You may get to work on a variety of productions
Working in a recording studio can be relaxing

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

Your career is very obscure
Employment is typically freelance & lacks reliability
You may work long hours

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

You work inside, manipulating small objects to make sound effects.

Career Researched By: Will Cullen