One of my professors offered extra credit on the final if we came to an on campus showing of "The Last of the Mohicans." Having seen the film before, nearly a decade ago, I was willing to go and see it again. Plus, those two points could mean the difference between letter grades! During the event's introduction, it was brought to our attention that the sound in the film was something to listen for.  Another class was there with directions to write a blog post about sound, so taking inspiration from their assignment, and some time in the library waiting for students to tutor, here's mine.

As it turns out, the 1993 Oscar for Best Sound went to "The Last of the Mohicans" specifically, to the sound re-recording mixers Chris Jenkins, Doug Hemphill, and Mark Smith and sound mixer, Simon Kaye (IMDB). However, the entire department is responsible for the film's victory. According to IMDB's cast and crew listing for this film, fifty-one people were a part of the sound department (IMDB).

As viewers, we don't typically think about sound effects in motion pictures unless they're missing. Without sound, the film is hollow and unrealistic. From something as small as cars on the highway behind the actors, the swishing sound of denim as someone walks by, or the clinking of keys when someone unlocks a door, to something as big as the roar of a jet's engine or the acceleration of the car in the adrenaline filled car chase scene, sounds complete the film.

Personally, I think the most intriguing job in the sound department is the Foley artist. I had seen this title in the credits of many films, but it wasn't until "Men In Black II" included a bonus feature on the DVD about the Foley team, that I understood what they do and how important they are. Basically, the Foley artist is the person who creates and or captures the noises that go along with the action in the film, and they are added in during post-production. What many people don't realize is that the boom operators are only trying to capture dialogue during filming - all other sound is avoided as much as possible to the extent where sometimes actors will be in socks if their feet are off screen to prevent footsteps from interfering with the dialogue. By adding in sound effects like footsteps later, the volume and intensity can be controlled so that it complements the scene instead of overpowering it ("What is Foley?").

The art of Foley is named after the work of Jack Foley (1897-1967), who established the basic modern techniques still used today. Jack grew up in the Seagate section of Coney Island, NY and went to school with (future) actors James Cagney and Bert Lahr. Later in life, he got his first job working on the docks of New York where he met Cary Grant, who was working as a stilt walker at the time. ("The Art of Foley")

After growing tired of the weather in New York, Foley moved to sunny California and started working as a stuntman and a double. Jack literally did every job in the film industry: he wrote scripts, directed films, designed and built sets, props, models, graphics, you name it. He began his film career with silent pictures and was a key player during the transition to sound. When sound was introduced, Jack, as you may have already guessed, was involved in the addition of sound effects. He would record the sounds all on one track that would play along with the film, making them with whatever props he could. It's said that he could mimic the sound of a whole group of people walking with just his own footsteps and a cane. ("The Art of Foley")

Back in Jack's time, the sound effects people weren't credited for their work, but now he gets recognition in every film because his craft is named for him: Foley. Jack's last film was the 1960 "Spartacus" before he died in 1967. ("Jack Foley")

Andy Malcom is a present day Foley artist, who has worked on hundreds of films since he began his career in 1975 with "The Swiss Family Robinson." He loves what he does and when asked to describe his job he said, "While the dialogue editor is stuck in front of a computer, I'm on my feet all day throwing car doors around, and punching roasted chickens." ("Jack Foley") Sounds like a great job to me!


Here is a great video about what Foley is and how Foley Artists do their jobs...


Without the sound department's hard work on sound effects for "The Last of the Mohicans," the film wouldn't have the same impact, and now two decades later, wouldn't be able to hold the attention of college students - even those who were simply there to collect their points.


Sources:
"Andy Malcolm." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0539085/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1>.

"Cast & Crew - The Last of the Mohicans." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104691/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm>.

"Jack Foley - Film's Unsung Hero." Jack Foley - Film's Unsung Hero. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://filmsound.org/foley/unsung-hero.htm>.

"The Art of Foley - Jack Foley." The Art of Foley - Jack Foley. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://www.marblehead.net/foley/jack.html>.

"What Is Foley?" Sound Effects, Royalty Free Music & Production Elements. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://sound-ideas.com/what-is-foley.html>.

Spring term at Johnson & Wales University brings Arts & Sciences Week. It is an annual event on campus that focuses on bringing in presenters and hosts events that support a theme. This year's theme is Justice, and my English Professor from last term asked me to be a part of a student panel for one evening's presentation.

The panel consisted of students who are military - active duty, reservists, and me, a friend and family member. Essentially we were asked to tell our stories, sharing experiences and answering questions from the audience. I thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity to be a part of the presentation because it was about something close to my heart. I spoke about growing up as a military child - my father being deployed, moving, changing schools, learning to be independent, and I also talked about my experience supporting not only my close friends who are in the military, but those who are strangers through various nonprofit organizations.

Before the event started, those of us on the panel were asked to come in early to get situated. We had never met each other, but quickly found one another without a problem. We recognized some of the little cues that stand out if "you're in the family." By the time our professor walked in, she thought we were best friends. We're all a part of the military family - we have things in common, including little inside jokes and well known rivalries between services, so we had plenty to talk about.

During the discussion, we focused on helping people who aren't familiar with the lifestyle and the daily rewards and challenges understand what it's like, and welcomed questions in a safe environment. The service members who sat beside me, and I shared a mutual admiration and gratitude toward each other. We couldn't be where we are right now without people like you, either fighting for our freedom or supporting the service members as they do so far away from home.

It was truly a wonderful experience, and I'm glad I was able to be a part of it.

This was written for my Advance Composition class, but I thought I would share with you too:

Across from the Pipestone National Monument, is Fort Pipestone. It's a full-size replica of a fort that houses a museum and a gift shop. The gift shop sells local items including handcrafted American Indian items, ceremonial pipes, pipestone crafts, and other gifts and souvenirs. During the summer, there are events held within the walls of the fort. I remember having a buffalo burger for the first time there one summer many many years ago. My memories of the fort also include a covered wagon.

While in Pipestone, my mother and I made a quick stop by the Pipestone National Monument. We were on our way to see my grandmother. It was nearing sunset, and I have been here many times before, so we didn't get many photos this time. We did, however, see a wild turkey and her chicks in the field.