Emmy-winning Foley artist Sanaa Kelley has constructed a profession out of making the sounds most viewers don’t even understand are made in a studio. From footsteps and clothes rustles to struggle scenes and key clicks, Kelley’s work has formed the sound of award-winning TV exhibits and movies for practically three a long time.
The California-based artist is the founding father of Reel Foley Sound in Costa Mesa and has 29 years of business expertise. Her accolades embody an Emmy Award for FX/Hulu/Disney’s Shogun, 5 Emmy nominations, and 25 MSPE Golden Reel nominations for initiatives equivalent to Ted Lasso, The Strolling Lifeless, The Proper Stuff, and The 100.
In 2016, Kelley earned a Golden Reel Award as a part of the sound enhancing crew for All of the Wilderness. Her profession highlights additionally embody work on The Flight Attendant, Unhealthy Monkey, Lisey’s Story, Fairly Little Liars, Solely Murders within the Constructing, The Midnight Membership, and Minx.
From Morocco to Hollywood success
Born and raised in Morocco, Kelley moved to California and ultimately entered the movie and TV business. She admitted that she “had no concept Foley was even a factor” till she noticed somebody doing it.
“Once they mentioned it was making sound for movie, TV, animation, video video games, and extra, I instantly thought, ‘I can try this,’” Kelley informed Voyage LA. Her begin, nonetheless, wasn’t easy. “Once I tried it, I used to be horrible. The Foley artist informed me, ‘Some individuals have it, some don’t.’ Ouch,” she mentioned.
As an alternative of giving up, Kelley known as each studio she may discover. “Most mentioned no, however one lastly mentioned sure, in all probability as a result of I promised I used to be nice at sweeping and making espresso.” She stayed after hours working towards at the hours of darkness, recreating scenes from reminiscence till her expertise improved.
Right here’s what units her Foley work aside
Kelley ultimately based Reel Foley Sound in 2016, constructing a trusted area for Foley in each episodic tv and movie. Her expertise could be heard in films like Cry Macho, These Who Want Me Lifeless, Chevalier, and White Males Can’t Leap. She has additionally labored on animated initiatives, together with Avatar: The Final Airbender, Rugrats, and Jurassic World: Chaos Principle.
“I’m a Foley artist, which suggests I create all of the on a regular basis sounds you hear in movie, TV, animation, and video games,” Kelley defined. “What units us aside is our coronary heart. We don’t simply make noise. We carry out it.”
Sharing Foley with the following era
Alongside her studio work, Kelley has grow to be one in every of TikTok’s fastest-growing creators, with 2.9 million followers. She posts behind-the-scenes content material to show others what took her years to be taught.
“What issues most to me is integrity, each in my work and in how I deal with individuals,” Kelley mentioned. “I do know what it feels prefer to be shut out or informed you’re not ok, so I attempt to be the form of chief and collaborator I wanted after I was beginning out.”
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