I have always found it funny that even though I grew up in NYC, there is always something new that I have yet to discover. Last week the class took a trip to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. While it makes sense to create a museum in the middle of movie studios, art galleries and school environments; it never occurred to me to visit before.
I am glad I did. The museum is filled with so much to do, learn and take in. With exhibits for all ages from video games, to movie paraphernalia to designs for original Star Trek ships and costumes; there is something for everyone. You can lose your self in a pleasant afternoon learning and doing so much relative to moving images.
The section I liked best? That would be the behind the scenes exhibit. Its a series of interactive, hands on sections aimed to teach you about what happens in the background when making movies. My favorite part of this exhibit was the foley studio.This studio explains the work of a foley artist; to place sounds and effects into the movie creating a fuller and more accurate 'live' feeling to the scenes in the movie. Many people have an idea that there is someone on a movie set that creates sound effects. However, a foley artist is more than that. Not only do they create every sound in the movie outside of voice, but they layer them to create depth and energy or feeling in a scene or movie. The sounds created can not be captured during filming with clarity and accuracy. It's up to a foley artist to layer sounds onto the film in post-production to create a fuller piece for final viewing.
As an example in the foley studio, they use a section of the movie Titanic. I don't have any spoiler alerts here but you begin by listening to a scene in the movie without actually watching it. By the time you are introduced to layer after layer, you finish the demonstration by watching the scene. By then you are able to pick out each layer of sound, each effect and even the animal and other sounds used to create the full 'feel' of the scene. I had no idea how many individual sounds and layers it takes to complete each scene in a movie! Frankly, I don't think I will ever be able to watch a scene again without at least giving thought to the various sounds and effects I hear through the film. I also find myself walking through my day listening to sounds that can be interpreted in various other ways on film. A car door slamming for instance, that also sounds like a large box hitting the floor.
There is a lot to take in at this museum but well worth the price of admission and the time spent. You wont be able to help but leave with a new appreciation for the movie images and exhibits displayed. I hope you take a minute to visit and enjoy this NYC hidden treasure. I know I did!
