How This Woman Creates God of War’s Sound Effects | Obsessed | WIRED

Summary

In this intriguing video, we meet Joanna Fang, a foley artist for PlayStation Studios known for her work on 'God of War Ragnarök.' She demonstrates the art of translating everyday sounds into cinematic experiences, using unusual props like toilet plungers and smashed iPhones. Joanna's studio is filled with diverse items, reflecting the saying 'never trust a clean foley stage.' She discusses her creative process, from mimicking footsteps to reimagining scenes for different genres, showcasing how foley enhances storytelling and immerses audiences in the narrative.

Takeaways

• 🎧 Joanna Fang is a foley artist for PlayStation Studios, known for her work on 'God of War Ragnarök'.
• 🛠️ The Sony PlayStation Foley Studio is equipped with a variety of props, including smashed iPhones, to create authentic sounds.
• 👂 Joanna's background as a classical musician has influenced her approach to foley work, which involves a lot of passive listening and observation.
• 🎨 Foley artists aim to 'paint a scene with sound', enhancing the storytelling and immersion in games and films.
• 🔧 The studio uses unconventional items like lump charcoal for snow sounds and maniacotti shells for bone breaks to create unique sound effects.
• 👢 Joanna's extensive shoe collection is used not only for footsteps but also as props to create specific sounds.
• 🎵 She believes that the best props are ones that can be played like a musical instrument, emphasizing the performative aspect of foley.
• 🎬 Foley work is a crucial part of the post-production process, taking months to complete due to the attention to detail and the creation of numerous sound assets.
• 🤖 Joanna envisions a future where machine learning aids in foley but doesn't replace the human performance element.
• 🎭 Personal experiences, such as overcoming gender dysphoria, have influenced Joanna's connection to her work and the emotions she conveys through sound.

Q & A

Who is Joanna Fang and what is her role in PlayStation Studios?

Joanna Fang is a foley artist for PlayStation Studios, known for her work on games like 'God of War Ragnarök'. She specializes in creating sound effects that enhance the gaming experience.

What does Joanna Fang mean by 'sonically translating our world'?

Joanna Fang refers to 'sonically translating our world' as the process of creating and recording sounds that mimic real-world noises to make games and movies more immersive and realistic.

What is the significance of the saying 'never trust a clean foley stage' in the context of Joanna Fang's work?

The saying 'never trust a clean foley stage' implies that a good foley stage should be filled with various props and materials to create a wide range of sounds, not remain clean and unused.

How does Joanna Fang's background as a classical musician influence her approach to foley work?

Joanna Fang's background as a classical musician has trained her to be a keen listener and observer of sounds, which she applies to her foley work by passively listening and recording sounds in her daily life.

What unique props does Joanna Fang use to create the sound of an iPhone being thrown?

Joanna Fang uses actual smashed iPhones as props to create the sound of an iPhone being thrown, ensuring the sound is accurate to the real object.

How does Joanna Fang use unconventional items to create the sound of an assault rifle?

Joanna Fang combines an Indian para knife with a torque wrench to mimic the sound of an assault rifle, demonstrating her creativity in using everyday items for foley work.

What method does Joanna Fang use to create the sound of snow in her foley work?

Joanna Fang uses lump charcoal to create the sound of snow, taking advantage of its cracking characteristics that mimic the sound of ice.

How does Joanna Fang describe the best props for foley work?

Joanna Fang describes the best props for foley work as ones that can be played like a Stradivarius, meaning they should produce a rich and resonant sound when manipulated.

What is the challenge Joanna Fang faced when creating the sound for Whoopi Goldberg's character in a bar scene?

Joanna Fang found it challenging to create the sound for Whoopi Goldberg's character because it was a simple sound effect that required her to feel right in her body, which she struggled with at the time.

How does Joanna Fang use her personal experiences to enhance her foley work?

Joanna Fang uses her personal experiences, such as her gender dysphoria, to connect with the characters and their emotions, which helps her to create more authentic and impactful foley sounds.

What is Joanna Fang's perspective on the future of foley work with the advent of machine learning?

Joanna Fang believes that while machine learning may aid in foley work, it will not replace the performative and artistic aspects of creating sound effects for games and films.