Annie Taylor, Guest Speaker

In the world of TV and movies, the significance of sound cannot be overstated. The creation of immersive and authentic auditory experiences enhances the overall impact of a theatrical production. Annie Taylor, a guest speaker for Mr. Schimpf's class on Acting and Directing for the Stage, brought a wealth of knowledge and experience from her role in the effects department at Alchemy Post Sound as a Foley Editor.

You may have seen Foley Studios and Foley Editors in the credits of TV shows and movies, but what do they do exactly? A Foley studio is a space dedicated to the art of creating sound effects for actors. Foley artists use various props and techniques to reproduce everyday sounds that enhance the realism of on-screen or on-stage performances. 

Foley Editors recreate sounds so that you have the best auditory experience possible. Annie's role involves meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every footstep, door creak, or rustle of clothing aligns seamlessly with the visual narrative.

Annie Taylor has worked in the effects department for the past three years at Alchemy Post Sound. She started as an intern, then moved on as an apprentice during COVID working from home during the pandemic, and then entered the union and is a full time Foley Editor.  Now an integral part of the Alchemy Post Sound team, Annie contributes to the creation of captivating soundscapes for various productions.

Annie has worked on such projects as The Crowded Room & Spirited (Apple Series and movie), In The Heights, The Invisible Man, Waitress the Musical, and Mean Girls the Musical (all movies), and most recently for the Hulu series, The Bear.

She gave us an insider look at what her typical day looks like by taking a piece of film from The Bear: Season 2 with and without foley.  If you are not familiar with The Bear, the show takes place in a restaurant kitchen.  The initial clip had very little sound to it.  Annie showed us all the sounds she recreated: from steak sizzling, to whipping cream in an ice bath, to timers going off, and more.  She played it again and the layers of sound added were amazing.  It was interesting to hear her explain all the different items she uses to make different noises.

In a question and answer session with students, Annie was asked how she decided to do this?  She said she saw a YouTube video about foley and the movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” didn’t know it was a job and found it interesting. She didn’t start college as a film major, but changed half way through.  Annie said she loves movies and TV and loves being part of the process.  It is the perfect combo between acting, sound, and movie making and she didn't have to be on camera and it was a career where she didn’t need to be pigeonholed into one genre. Annie has a BA in Cinematic Arts and Technology from Cal State Monterey Bay and a MA in Sound Design from Savannah College of Art and Design.