FOLEY AMOR - THE CIRCUS

Live Sound Effects Performance

Concept / Art Direction / Creative / Direction / Production/ Stage Design/ Fabrication

Premiered at Haifa Film Festival, 2023

A groundbreaking multidisciplinary performance, the first of its kind in Israel, seamlessly blending cinema, live sound effects, props, movement and acting. The Foley-Amor Ensemble will bring to life on stage the sound effects for Charles Chaplin's iconic film, The Circus. Through the artful manipulation of mechanical objects, everyday accessories, and specially crafted props, the ensemble will recreate the actors' movements and atmosphere, providing a fresh perspective on the film.

The show brings to the forefront the captivating and often concealed world of foley artists – an art form originating from the radio dramas of 1920s America. During this era, studios employed skilled sound technicians to generate a variety of sound effects using carefully selected props, enriching the narrative and dialogues, and adding an additional layer to the listeners' experience. The most notable figure among those sound artists was Jack Foley, a pioneering force who developed and elevated the craft of sound in the film industry. The performance will showcase the same techniques developed by Foley nearly a century ago, which continue to be employed in modern-day filmmaking.

The auditory experience, comprising music and sound effects, takes on heightened significance when applied to a silent film devoid of spoken dialogue. This sonic enhancement elevates the viewing experience and draws the audience even closer to the unfolding narrative of the film.