Stuff You Should Know

Episode: Tdhtdhtdhtdhtdh: Sound Effects!
Date: September 23, 2025
Hosts: Josh Clark & Chuck Bryant
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the fascinating world of sound effects, with Josh and Chuck exploring not only how sound effects are made, but also their history, artistry, and impact on storytelling, especially in film, TV, and other media. The hosts discuss the craft of Foley art, the creative tricks that bring everyday sounds to life onscreen, and the unsung heroes working behind the scenes. Whether you’re curious about why movie punches sound so satisfying or what a classic Star Wars blaster really is, this episode is a deep and entertaining dive into sound.

"If we get across anything in this episode, it should be how hard and creative the people who make sound effects are."
— Josh Clark [07:01]

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. What Are Sound Effects, and Why Do They Matter? [01:52–05:54]

• Most sound effects (SFX) in movies, TV, animation, and video games are created manually in post-production.
• Foley artists and sound designers use a mix of sounds created live in the studio and pulled from sound catalogs/libraries.
• The majority of sound effects you hear—footsteps, doors, background chatter—are added later. Only dialogue and music are generally captured on set.
• Sound is critical but often underappreciated compared to visuals on set.

Quote:
"It's half the thing is what you're hearing, the other half is what you're seeing."
— Chuck Bryant [04:05]

2. The Magic of Diegetic vs. Non-Diegetic Sound [06:02–07:07]

• Diegetic sound: Occurs “inside” the film’s world (what characters can hear).
• Non-diegetic sound: Soundtrack, narration, or other sounds the audience hears but characters don’t.
• The line between the two can be blurred for creative effect, as in comedies like “The Naked Gun.”

Quote:
"Diegetic sound is the sound inside the movie's world. Like that lawnmower, that car driving by..."
— Josh Clark [06:02]

3. Behind the Scenes: The Foley Artist’s Craft [07:45–11:27]

• Foley art is an intricate, still-essential art form despite advances in digital tech.
• Foley artists are “sound actors,” matching real-life actions on screen to sound in the studio.
• Footsteps are especially challenging—tailored to actor, gait, weight, and emotional tone.

Quote:
"You have to make the footsteps based on the actor and how they're moving...the weight, the height, the gait..."
— Josh Clark [10:27]

4. A Brief History of Sound Effects

[11:33–16:22]

• Originated in vaudeville, with live props ("traps") for on-stage effects.
• Drum companies like Ludwig produced early sound effect contraptions.
• The transition from silent films to “talkies” revolutionized the demand and technique for synchronized sound.

Notable Anecdotes:

• Slapstick humor is named for a real prop (“slapstick”) used to accentuate pratfalls.
  [14:47–15:16]

5. Jack Foley: The Namesake and Pioneer of Foley Art [21:26–26:25]

• Jack Foley’s work at Universal Studios after “The Jazz Singer” (1927) established the art of performing sound effects live with films.
• He was so influential that “Foley” became the term for the whole discipline, the room, and the position.
• Created effects in real-time, often with only one take due to technical limitations.

Quote:
"He became so good at it and so legendary that still today, anything that has to do with creating sound effects in a studio is called Foley."
— Josh Clark [22:09]

• Famous for clever tricks—using car keys for Roman armor in Spartacus to save reshoots.
  [25:50–26:45]

6. Foley Today: A Rare, Specialized Profession [26:45–29:46]

• About 100 professional Foley artists in the US today.
• Requires exceptional hearing; many wear earplugs in real life to protect their “instrument”.
• Artists develop a unique jargon (“poofy,” “screechy“) based on sound qualities, not object names.

7. How a Foley Studio Works [29:46–32:35]

• Foley is typically a team effort—partners act out scenes together for multi-dimensional action.
• Studios have multi-surface floors, divided for different sound environments (concrete, gravel, parquet, etc.).
• Inventiveness is key: crinkled magnetic tape can sound more like “leaves” than real foliage.

8. Iconic Foley & Sound Effects Examples [38:00–44:43]

Star Wars (Ben Burtt):

[38:23–48:03]

• Wilhelm Scream: Recurring inside joke among sound editors; first used widely by Ben Burtt.
• Blaster sound: Created by striking metal guy wires with a wrench or rock at radio towers.
• TIE Fighters: Modified elephant roars, layered and distorted.
• Chewbacca: Blend of walrus, badger, and bear vocalizations.
• R2D2: Synthesizer beeps and boops, performed with emotion.
• Ben Burtt's innovations shaped modern sound design.

Other Film Tricks:

• E.T.'s footsteps: Jello in a damp t-shirt and raw liver [43:43].
• Titanic's frozen hair: Frozen lettuce for the crispy sound of cold hair [41:14].
• Fight Club punches: Chicken carcasses and walnut cracks for realistic impacts [42:12].
• Jurassic Park's egg hatching: Hand inside melon and ice cream cone cracking [44:06].
• Raiders of the Lost Ark boulder: Car with engine off rolling down a hill [44:20–44:32].

Quote:
"He somehow creates emotion and conveys emotion through these beeps and boops from a little droid with a synthesizer."
— Chuck Bryant on R2D2 [48:01]

9. Nature Documentaries & Sound Fudging [48:10–50:41]

• Nature docs like “Planet Earth” must add or exaggerate sounds in post, as actual field audio is often unusable or doesn’t exist (e.g., mushroom growing, spider footsteps).
• Even animal calls are carefully matched for realism; but environmental sounds are often totally fabricated.
• Purists may object, but the artistic enhancement increases viewing enjoyment.

10. Sound’s Place in the Film Industry [50:41–51:47]

• Sound departments often work with small budgets relative to other departments.
• Big movies can afford bespoke Foley; indie films often use library effects, explaining tonal differences between major and low-budget productions.

Quote:
"That's why the sound is always really awesome. And that's why they highlight it at the Academy Awards."
— Chuck Bryant [51:47]

11. Finishing Thoughts: The Joy of Sound & the Artist’s Dilemma [51:47–52:54]

• Designed to inspire listeners to re-watch films, now acutely attuned to background sounds.
• The hosts joke about whether Foley artists can “turn it off” and just enjoy movies.
• Newly-minted SYSK slogan idea: "Stay Dumb, Enjoy Things" (Josh & Chuck, [52:37])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Foley Artistry:
  "You have to make the footsteps based on the actor and how they're moving, and not just in sync with them. But a good Foley artist will take into account the weight, the height, the gait..."
  — Josh Clark [10:27]

• On the Origin of ‘Slapstick’:
  "There was a trap...a slapstick. It's like two wooden duck bills that you smack together…That's where the name came from."
  — Josh Clark [15:08]

• On Ben Burtt’s Blaster:
  "If you ever see one of those really, really taut cables. If you hit that thing with something metal, it'll go Q."
  — Chuck Bryant [45:33]

• On Nature Docs:
  "Lean in and put your ear to a mushroom as it's growing and you're not going to hear anything. Doesn't make a sound."
  — Josh Clark [49:55]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Introduction & Defining SFX/Foley: [01:12 – 05:54]
• Diegetic vs. Non-diegetic: [06:02 – 07:07]
• The Foley Process & Footsteps: [07:45 – 11:27]
• History (Vaudeville to Talkies): [11:33 – 16:22]
• Jack Foley’s Legacy: [21:26 – 26:25]
• Foley Today & Studio Work: [26:45 – 32:35]
• Tricks & Famous Movie Examples: [38:00 – 44:43]
• Star Wars, Ben Burtt, and Synth Innovation: [38:23 – 48:03]
• Nature Docs & Fake SFX: [48:10 – 50:41]
• Budget, Film Industry Realities: [50:41 – 51:47]
• Conclusion & Slogan: [51:47 – 52:54]

Episode Takeaways

• Foley artists are essential artists, not technicians. Their creativity and attention to detail create the immersive worlds we love.
• Most of the sound you hear in media is fabricated, and your enjoyment relies on how seamless and “invisible” this work is.
• Sound effects aren’t just technical—they are an art of illusion, emotion, and storytelling.
• Even in a digital world, old-school ingenuity and live performance are irreplaceable for compelling sound design.
• Next time you watch a movie, listen for the craft happening under the surface—just don’t let it spoil your fun:

"Stay Dumb, Enjoy Things."

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