Animal Sounds in Documentaries: Human-Made

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Wildlife documentaries like the BBC’s recent series, Planet Earth III, are renowned for offering breathtaking images of animals in their natural habitats. You’d be forgiven for thinking these shows offer an unmediated portrayal of these animals—an objective window into their lives as they hunt, rest and rear their young. But this isn’t quite the case. The sounds of animals you hear in these documentaries are often made by humans, not the animals themselves. This practice, known as “animal dubbing,” has been going on for decades, and there are a number of reasons why it’s done.

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When we watch wildlife documentaries, we’re often captivated by the stunning visuals and the immersive sounds that bring the animals and their habitats to life. But what if I told you that many of those animal sounds are actually made by humans?

That’s right, the sounds of animals walking, chewing food, and panting are often recorded by human “Foley artists” in a sound studio far away from the filming location. These Foley artists use their creativity and resourcefulness to create realistic animal sounds using everyday objects.

The Art of Human-Generated Foley Sound

Foley artists use a variety of techniques to create animal sounds. They might knock coconut shells against stone slabs to make the sound of horse footsteps, or use rocks against a straw-covered tub of compacted earth to create the sound of an elephant walking. For the sound of fish jumping across the surface of a lake, they might simply tap their fingers in a water tank.

Foley artists also use their own mouths to create the close-up sounds of animals chewing, panting, or yawning. They watch the footage on a monitor and make sure the sounds they create perfectly match the actions of the animals.

Why Human-Generated Foley Sound is Used

There are a few reasons why Foley sound is used in wildlife documentaries. First, it’s often difficult to get close enough to animals in the wild to record their sounds without disturbing them. Second, the sounds that animals make are often too faint or too high-pitched for microphones to pick up. Finally, Foley artists can create more realistic and consistent sounds than can be captured in the wild.

The Importance of Human-Generated Foley Sound

Foley sound plays an important role in wildlife documentaries. It helps to bring the animals and their habitats to life, and it can also affect how we perceive a given species. For example, a slithery, slimy sound may be matched to the image of a snake, even if a human would be unlikely to hear much if they were really stood next to the camera. This can create a sense of fear or disgust towards the animal.

On the other hand, a soft yawn accompanying a close-up of a tiger cub may increase the sense of that animal’s cuteness or vulnerability. This can help to build empathy and support for conservation efforts.

Conclusion

The next time you watch a wildlife documentary, take a moment to appreciate the work of the Foley artists who bring the animal sounds to life. Their creativity and skill help to create a more immersive and engaging experience for viewers, and they play an important role in shaping our understanding of the natural world.

FAQ’s

What is Foley sound?

Foley sound is the art of creating realistic animal sounds using everyday objects in a sound studio.

Why is Foley sound used in wildlife documentaries?

Foley sound is used in wildlife documentaries because it’s often difficult to get close enough to animals in the wild to record their sounds without disturbing them, and because the sounds that animals make are often too faint or too high-pitched for microphones to pick up.

What techniques do Foley artists use to create animal sounds?

Foley artists use a variety of techniques to create animal sounds, including knocking coconut shells against stone slabs, using rocks against a straw-covered tub of compacted earth, and tapping their fingers in a water tank.

How does Foley sound affect how we perceive animals?

Foley sound can affect how we perceive animals by creating a sense of fear, disgust, cuteness, or vulnerability.

What is the importance of Foley sound in wildlife documentaries?

Foley sound plays an important role in wildlife documentaries by bringing the animals and their habitats to life, and by helping to shape our understanding of the natural world.