How This Woman Creates God of War’s Sound Effects | Obsessed | WIRED

Ever wondered how they make the sound effects we hear in video games? Meet Joanna Fang, foley artist for PlayStation Studios and master at creating sounds for movies and video games like God of War: Ragnarok. We step inside Sony's foley studio to see Joanna at work, turning plungers into running horses and manicotti into broken bones.
Director: Charlie Jordan
Director of Photography: Will Pupa
Editor: Matt Colby
Expert: Joanna Fang
Creative Producer: Wendi Jonassen
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon White
Production Manager: Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Casting Producer: Nick Sawyer
Camera Operator: Darren Kawasaki
Audio: Warren Wolfe
Production Assistant: Jon Brun
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Special Thanks: John Bowen
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[@Izztana666]

She’s the reason why the games we played is so immersive. Definitely a career that could not be easily pickup by anyone.

[@OsaculnenolajO]

100%. All those horror games we love for their sound design are in large part thanks to foley artists like this. Audio is a massive part of games especially.

[@MultiNaruto900]

Yup. An average person could hear, but being a foley artist requires one to *_hear._*

[@captainaryan26]

Not really, it's because we got used to it so much. And we always get if we play for a long time. Imagine if GTA gunshots sounded like fruits being crushed. We still would get used to em'.

[@cdotgetsdahoes3849]

Opeth

[@lifedeather]

Seems super fun to experiment with sounds

[@KimberlyGreen]

Now I finally understand why entertainment awards include sound categories. This was incredibly insightful for me. Thanks Joanna!

[@raiiisa24]

1000th like

[@vitor.com_acento]

Now? Why it wouldn't be?

[@novas2905]

i mean even without the knowledge of foley, etc, sound design is still an integral and important part of games, like the way the sound changes to be more echoey when they go to a cave, etc

[@michaeldawson1194]

Bruh, you for real that ignorant. Come on 😂

[@memoriesofafallen]

​@Vítor Oliveira because us common folks don't think like that, haha

[@elcee3292]

Man i love watching people explain things they are passionate about. This was awesome

[@Imagocorporation]

Cap

[@Роберт-в5к]

@@Imagocorporation cap is that your mother not a wh.ore

[@TDrippyyyy]

​@@ImagocorporationDefine the word (cap..)😒

[@NONX01]

What’s your passion then?

[@bellebonebag8096]

Why are comments under videos involving women always so weird? Can yall chill

[@SelkieTears]

not even 2 minutes in and it's rare that i've ever seen anyone that is so obviously just.. MEANT to be doing the thing they're doing. she's amazing i love her

[@zgeorgedelydda8954]

He

[@hoya8968]

​@@zgeorgedelydda8954Bro, your life must be trash 💀She's a woman. And her gender is not the point here. Are you just mad that she's a genius ?

[@whattheshart1]

​@@zgeorgedelydda8954 this video is about video game sound effects, please shut up!!!

[@Hifuutorian]

@@zgeorgedelydda8954 She, chucklefuck.

[@verdurite]

​@@zgeorgedelydda8954she*

[@Sy5temfire]

I just love her passion. I love how this job fits her personality and creativity. I could never do this.

[@herogamerbr12]

@Leroy she

[@seanmalcolm9456]

He

[@sneddy__9225]

@Leroy you deserve a miserable life that matches your miserable self

[@charliemaddox35]

@@seanmalcolm9456 bot

[@Spooderman2e1]

@Leroy it says woman the video

[@DoingNothingKing]

This is someone who doesn’t “just take her job serious” but it is truly her passion. Def someone who got lucky to do her true calling

[@choroyexplota]

his*

[@DoingNothingKing]

@@choroyexplota ?? The person who made the video said “she” multiple times and she responded to it.

[@choroyexplota]

@@DoingNothingKing he is a troon.

[@Hifuutorian]

@@choroyexplota Her, chucklefuck.

[@nocturnal64]

@@choroyexplota genuinely, what do you get out of this?

[@natogaia3502]

I kinda noticed that the sound effects in happy movies were more subdued than action/thriller movies. I didn't think that was intentional. I admire how detail-oriented she is, making sure that every aspect of a scene is conveyed and even adding effects to objects that aren't even visible. You can really let your creativity shine as a foley artist.

[@tcplaya2882]

He*

[@GlazeonthewickeR]

@@tcplaya2882she*

[@susiesan]

I would have never even thought there would be a difference, but after the romantic/thriller comparison it makes total sense

[@nocturnal64]

@@tcplaya2882 genuinely, what do you get out of this?

[@gideonk123]

I’m sure the audible level of sound effects in different genres is very intentional. Even in this video you can see that they mixed the sounds at quite different audio levels, and the results sound great, so they know what they’re doing… My hunch is that in action/thriller movies everything is louder (both sound effects and music) to get the viewer into a state of semi-panic, fear, or at least a high degree of alertness.

[@kimmeeb]

“Weaponized ASMR” is the BEST description of foley I’ve ever heard

[@hoorayitsjackie6166]

I’m almost 40 and I’ve wanted to be a foley artist or prop master since I was 14, I just never followed through. This was so cool. I’m glad she found her passion. She’s incredible.

[@wisteria6544]

Hey. I’m here to tell you that you need to chase your dreams. You absolutely must. Life is short and inherently meaningless. There is nothing more important in this life than stupidly and blindly running where your heart points.

[@sarah.s.flanagan]

See if your area has a community theatre or similar where you could try out being a props master

[@MrGorecki]

yea im 41, back in school, its the best

[@cassandres4965]

You have to do it!! It’s the only way and you’ll be amazing at it

[@96ckl]

Without these sound effects action games won't feel as good as we experience them.

[@aeea3306]

Well how are you supposed to record a fire breathing dragon in a space station while there's a slight wind breeze?

[@Epicwin-bn1hi]

​@@aeea3306Hmmm. Fire and wind don't exist in space bro

[@idontknow-48]

​@@aeea3306 Pretty sure they would find a way to do that to be honest

[@GamingFreakShow1991]

​@Idontknow-48 No, no I don't think they could.

[@qanh96]

This is peak creativity to me, I mean how on earth can she even think of pairing two completely different props to make the sound of a completely different object? I can’t even imagine it’s incredible. You need one heck of a set of ear and intuition for this, mad respect.

[@AL-fl4jk]

Yeah like when she had the weird Christmas ornament thing and said “oh I can imagine this hanging off a horse”, I was thinking what?! But she kinda shook it and it sounded like a saddle

[@edgytween7667]

people be inventing computers, ai's, drones, and spaceships..... how tf is this peak creativity?

[@Messi-rw9ng]

​@edgytween7667 Human creativity by nature, generates many different things. It can be technological or artful. And what someone considers as peak creativity can be entirely subjective. We've made many advancements in technology as well as the arts and humanities.

[@altercaze]

And a lot of experience!

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Google Workspace USD SGD

[@Hddizzle4shizzle]

Wow she’s amazing, I would even pay to see something like this live on stage, this could be something people would really enjoy, I think these types of artists don’t get the credit they deserve and would be a great way of showing it to the world.

[@tcplaya2882]

He*

[@CharlieCharlie88]

@@tcplaya2882 you’re pathetic

[@XFEINX]

@@tcplaya2882 ?

[@sypwer]

You actually can, over in universal stuios

[@joylynch5204]

She

[@Murk.mp4]

I like how she has a collection of things and it’s by no means just for show, it actually has function to her craft and I love her for it!

[@CaptainNingle]

He* him*

[@Snow-xd4rv]

​@@CaptainNingle It's a she.

[@mfreak1126]

@@Snow-xd4rv Because he has long hair and wears make-up? Stop stereotyping.

[@recursion-skibidi]

​@@mfreak1126because title says woman

[@tcplaya2882]

@@recursion-skibidi is literally a man. You hear him bring up his “gender dysphoria”. Just because you say you’re a woman doesn’t mean you are one.

[@icefang87]

I've learned something today. These people in their field should be praised more for their sound effects!

[@napalmsf]

Praised more how? Like being nominated for awards?

[@icefang87]

@@napalmsf yah sure, why not?!

[@RandomJtv]

It takes a special type of person to be a foley artist. To be able to look at something, or a set of things, and hear them as something completely different in a variety of contexts - it’s beyond a skill. Even as Joanna was talking through her process and how she interprets things, it was still blowing my mind and having me ask ‘How!?’.

[@CaptainNingle]

"She"? That's literally a man.

[@GhostTrevenant]

​@@CaptainNingle stay mad that she is living her dream and your life is miserable

[@CaptainNingle]

@@GhostTrevenant Living in la-la-land*

[@GhostTrevenant]

@@CaptainNingle works for one of the largest media companies*

[@CaptainNingle]

@@GhostTrevenant as a man*

[@IamMiaga]

I can't remember who said it but the quote I'm paraphrasing is "The audience understand what they see, but they feel what they hear". Foley is, right alongside music, such an important part of any visual storytelling medium.

[@MeesdeFilmliefhebber]

That might have been one of Filmento's video's.

[@silverjeyjey4054]

This is someone who loves their job.

[@peaceful-plays]

My appreciation for sounds in games have increased tenfold . I didn’t realize how much level of detail went into the process. She is incredible. A true artist! ⚔️✨

[@jeesangkim]

"How Joanna Fang Creates God of War's Sound Effects" - Give her the spotlight!

[@quinnfunk9105]

+

[@alexav8123]

Him*

[@lucky4d725]

​@@alexav8123 Her*

[@BoyOfVoid]

Being trans is more important than your capabilities, and contribution 2 any medium, which is why Wired reduced Joanna Fang to simply “woman”. In their eyes the trans portion, is the only thing of value.

[@alexav8123]

@@BoyOfVoid Whatever he does...he was born a man and will remain a man until the end of his days. It is better to accept reality than to live deceiving yourself.

[@-TheFox-]

This woman has definitely found her dream profession I feel happy for her how she talks about it. It's really cool

[@Rebe-Caufman]

this is a man

[@alm31]

What is a woman? Yeah exactly. You don’t know. So shut yp

[@Hifuutorian]

@@Rebe-Caufman She's a woman.

[@Hifuutorian]

@@kenzor4953 She's a woman you smoothbrained maggot.

[@bittiebee]

She's really cool! It's a unique talent to be able to pick out all these random objects and associate certain noises and sounds to them.

[@matthewxmeehan7189]

Incredible. What a niche art form turned into a career. Also, congrats on her transition that her art allowed her to embrace.

[@alexav8123]

him*

[@lucky4d725]

​@@alexav8123 she*

[@alexav8123]

@@lucky4d725 He was born a man and will remain a man until it's over. It is better to accept reality. It is very bad to deceive yourself.

[@hotskull565]

@@lucky4d725 him*

[@lucky4d725]

@@hotskull565 her**

[@ongleterre]

Joanna Fang is so freaking cool. Such passion and a real mastery of foley and sound-crafting ❤ This was a great watch, congratulations Joanna

[@tia5845]

this isn’t just dedication, this is a GIFT. she’s so incredibly talented and passionate, this was just such a joy to watch

[@LeviAckerman-iv9eq]

She truly an artist. To produce sound we heard but not what we expected it to be is amazing

[@GrimFemme]

Her passion is infectious. To see someone who has truly found their niche and purpose is incredible.

[@betraid]

His

[@Hifuutorian]

@@betraid Hers

[@tangyboi386]

​@penthesileaurso8683 ignore them. they're very angry and gullible people who never argue in good faith. i'm sure the lovely foley artist in question couldn't care less about a bunch of hateful teenagers in the replies of random comments.

[@joshrivaca1377]

2:10 weaponized asmr is crazy

[@Wavyslim]

It’s crazy how I had no idea about this. She’s definitely an artist

[@alexav8123]

he’s

[@lucky4d725]

​@@alexav8123 she's *

[@baranicer]

@@lucky4d725 He’s*

[@lucky4d725]

@@baranicer she's*

[@baranicer]

@@lucky4d725 He’s*

[@RayMak]

We owe this lady a lot

[@coopermcneil5552]

It’s really people like her that make these games shine in the most important but behind the scenes way you’ve ever seen. Who knew there was someone behind even the noises we hear

[@XxT0kY0DrfTstYlExX]

Like him

[@lucky4d725]

@@XxT0kY0DrfTstYlExX like her*

[@lucky4d725]

@@XxT0kY0DrfTstYlExX her*

[@jstailor1539]

There are several people in the comments that didn't understand as to why Foley artists are a thing. For one, getting the perfect sound for the scene without any background noise or unevenness is much easier when you just have a Foley artists with a bunch of props on hand. Plus, there are scenes where, honestly, you quite literally can't recreate in real life for sound. And you have to think about the fact that using actual sound may be too loud and play over the voices. With Foley artists, they have an array of props and they have the sound equipment on hand so they can get perfect or near perfect sound effects without interrupting any dialogue or ruining a scene.

[@altusshow7574]

Sometimes you see weird people pretending they have some secret insight and are more thoightful then they actually are. Not her. She cheerfully and playfully creates two wildly different moodes for the same scene, in a way that seems simple to her but like magic to me. Very impressed. A literal unsung hero here. Ill say it. Shes a literal genius at her craft.

[@mememanbffr]

i was about to say something when i read the first part, im not gonna lie

[@baileynelson4433]

It seems like such an easy job but the creativity, precision, and ingenuity you need is insane

[@Dripx-]

Doesn't seem that easy to me lol. Not to mention, just a couple of seconds require many sound effects. Imagine that for a whole entire 40+ hour game lol

[@celvil1848]

Wow, this woman is honestly incredible at her craft

[@doppelminds1040]

This job is so underrated and it seems so fun but so hard to do properly

[@saptarshisarkar7184]

Her passion for her craft definitely comes across beautifully in this video. Not only does she explain the technical side of the craft but also the aesthetic and artistic motives behind the sounds that she creates which eventually build up the very core of the sound design for the soundtrack. Very very inspiring stuff ❤️

[@tcplaya2882]

His*

[@indra9250]

@@tcplaya2882 she* buddy dont die on a hill called youtube comments

[@thatpeskyrat]

@@tcplaya2882 I’m absolutely obsessed with how you’re practically doubling the comment count on this video by commenting the same thing on every comment that genders Joanna correctly. thanks for showing support for the video!

[@EVE_Sairun]

She's a true professional, even how she looks at things - what creeks and pops - brilliant!

[@catatonicbug7522]

Foley has always amazed me. The creativity possible only after experience with different media really means an artist gets better over time.

[@danieldeabreu8063]

It’s so delightful to see how passionate she is about her art. 😊

[@alexav8123]

he*

[@alexav8123]

his*

[@lucky4d725]

​@@alexav8123 she*

[@lucky4d725]

​@@alexav8123 she*

[@leightonrud66]

He*

[@rooseveltNovember]

Ive watched a lot of different videos on foley artists. This person is the best one I've seen so far. I didn't realize how inspired someone could be by this art form. It's amazing.

[@allis8379]

I’ve never considered the time and artistry involved…. I’m thoroughly impressed.

[@xxBreakxxAwayxx3]

Joanna, You are a sonic genius! I loved getting to see your creativity and innovation shine here! I love imagining the soundtrack you hear when you go through normal life! It is awesome that you see it as transcending/including all aspects of your job & identity--becoming a whole art form!! Also, congrats on coming out and getting to be more authentically you! I love that & I think this tiny snapshot is such a beautiful insight into why everything you bring with you is valuable. What you create is far more than the sum of its parts, and cannot be divided into simple formula. Which is also true of amazing folks like you!!! TY Joanna!!!

[@jayh4881]

Joanna is so freaking creative! This was so great to watch and learn!

[@Lin99990]

She's so good she makes it look like they played the sound over her, omg!!!

[@BibiTheLinkBuilder]

Putting the weapons down sounds were sooo satisfyinggg

[@simonsayswii]

I could never do what she does, but she makes it look so fun and sorta easy! Awesome for her!!

[@CaptainNingle]

He* him*

[@indra9250]

@@CaptainNingle Its a she. The video title says woman. Why do you care so much

[@CaptainNingle]

@@indra9250 Troll detected

[@indra9250]

@@CaptainNingle Troll detected ⚠️

[@chrissilvester5663]

She is brilliant. A very interesting video. The different items used to create the perfect sound effects is proper fascinating.

[@wingedcatperson3243]

This was freakin awesome! To have the talent to visualize sound and match it up like that is soo unique.

[@jeffcarter1641]

This is an incredible craft. Would be tedious to many, but the effort is worth it as it really immerses the audience seamlessly.

[@christianpoynter7971]

Foley seems like such a fun, interesting job. I like how the genre of the media actually plays a part in the sounds you make for it, that's something I wouldn't have considered. I would have just assumed you'd be matching sounds to what's on screen, not realizing you can creatively interpret those sounds a bit differently to give different moods.

[@dannyhodson7538]

Wow.. just wow the time and the enthusiasm you have to do this for every sequence is crazy

[@eraser2592]

Foley artists are the backbone of the entertainment industry. Many people talk about the actors or the directors but never the foley artists

[@Atria777]

This was so cool to watch, really amazing, seems like a nice job for creative people!

[@_marimopeace]

great to see a breakdown on video game sfx on youtube! esp cool to see a female foley artist for one of these behind the scenes ^-^

[@00405]

@@annihilam3408 yea shes still a female

[@00405]

@@annihilam3408 i agree. you cant change biology, i wasn’t saying that was the case. just saying she’s still a woman if she wants to be, regardless of her initial gender.

[@yaaeerrgghhh]

​@@annihilam3408so she's still a female

[@00405]

@@annihilam3408 biologically she may not be a female, but she’s already transitioned and has been identifying as a woman for a while. she’s a trans-female, meaning she’s still a female.

[@devious1538]

@@yaaeerrgghhh he isn’t

[@markozivanovic117]

Amazing stuff. Top shelf quality Foley right here. And Joanna seems like a blast to be around with :)

[@FlyToTheRain]

this was so fun to watch, makes me wanna play around with stuff just to see what sounds i can make!

[@kzmbb]

wow this was super cool! Joanna's passion is so evident and fun to watch. I'm so thankful for creatives like her, society is better with them around!

[@nickv1212]

9:12 "Hey Blake, if you don't mind, can we just play back like Everything, Altogether, All at Once." We getting a sequel?

[@johannestapio]

What a cool job she has! A true professional and an artist.

[@tcplaya2882]

He*

[@grogsmashrock7240]

@@tcplaya2882 stop crying

[@johannestapio]

@@tcplaya2882 Another day, another idiot in KZbin comments 😂

[@PR1ME98]

This is what i want as a job Im serious af im currently in college for audio engineering and SFX so i can do foley

[@shiningskies47]

Every single time a foley artist is featured in some sort of mini documentary they always are shown making horse sound effects

[@JoseRomero-om4gz]

She can truly see sound! 🤘

[@slm20408]

man im impressed doing such a hard but fun job.... im amazed

[@Mezzy..]

it may look a little silly but it gets the sounds accurately 😂

[@sheFEISTY.43110]

It's so cool to always see the behind the scene sounds.

[@pandora_8032]

that bar scene recreation was so lively and beautiful, you can really tell when the person behind it is passionate. awesome

[@ismaelhall3990]

They're like magicians. Amazing.

[@Crimsontiger133]

I remember seeing this in the 90's. And its crazy that the method is still just as amazing. It's like the one part of cinematography that hasn't changed.

[@okoIo]

shes awesome

[@zgeorgedelydda8954]

He

[@halo3brawler]

''Weaponized ASMR'' had me right there 😂

[@misslayer999]

She's got the best office in the world! What an awesome job

[@Tantotron_]

2:10 “Weaponized ASMR” LOL

[@hishouha]

That’s so much fun and creative !! Doesn’t seem easy either, when I play game I can’t help but truly enjoy the sound designs, it’s ASMR for me ❤

[@viniopini]

Shes amazing :) Her energy is very welcoming and friendly

[@Ryan-dl6dd]

This was fascinating to watch, this girl rocks

[@CaptainNingle]

Man*

[@a-bittersweet-tragedy0203]

this medium blows my mind 😵 the video game clip was so good

[@greendofield]

thanks wired for making this video. she is one of the person who makes the game immersive. thank you

[@marionho1752]

She is genius this skill is definitely not something can be learnt thru training. Pure talent.

[@technos_orphan_obliterator]

So she creates the noise for all the barrels, planks and pots ive ever broken.

[@frogfairy1163]

Awesome to see how this is done. So much more behind it then you would first expect. Which is actually a good thing, meaning it feels real and don't get you out of the illusion when watching a film/playing a game. It's pretty much sound dialed to 11 that went to performance art school :) Also she seems the person I would absolutely love to spend a day with. Love the passion and she seems like a great person to be around

[@CaptainNingle]

He*

[@frogfairy1163]

@@CaptainNingle she identifies as a woman. So... She

[@CaptainNingle]

@@frogfairy1163 In that case I identify as supreme overlord and vanquisher of woke madness and you shall address me as such.

[@frogfairy1163]

@@CaptainNingle as long as you dont harm anyone in any shape or form, especially ones who do no harm to you. You can call yourself whatever the heck you want as far as I am concerned. And I will keep respecting peoples identity, especially if they seem good people and they do me or others no harm what so ever with it. And I will keep doing so despite others peoples opinion on the matter.

[@CaptainNingle]

@@frogfairy1163 I appreciate the sentiment but at the same time you're reinforcing unhealthy, delusional behaviour.

[@scarauchiha]

Literally the queen of sounds.

[@jaredlesar]

Wow, I had no idea this was a thing. Super informative video and thanks Joanna for helping bring games to life!

[@czarni007]

This was nothing short of amazing. She demonstrates incredible creativity and passion for her art, just breathtaking. Wow!

[@ianianiano]

this professional is the coolest person i've ever seen on youtube. this is genuinely so cool.

[@XSpImmaLion]

Man, that's super awesome... and she's obviously a master of the craft. Not easy to have such an intuitive sense for what should be used for each one of those details. Kudos to her!

[@Livingstudios4566]

That’s awesome I’m glad I clicked on this video she did a great job 👏🏻

[@Zfanesque]

Conveying theme and genre through sound, she’s incredible!

[@profitprophets1]

😂 1:39 in the zone.

[@DS-zp8dc]

Can she do the Star Wars laser blaster sound effect? It’s actually surprisingly simple how they got it

[@nevertbagabeartrap]

Love her. You can feel the passion.

[@whitepod]

amazingly talented! that bone break sound reminded me of my fracture years ago...

[@MaxiGoethling]

I could listen to her for hours

[@tessiepinkman]

Me too!

[@BearCobb]

This is awesome! She does a great job, it sounds like ASMR lol

[@RiddleWhisperer]

She's happy at what she does and that makes me happy

[@Mell0wY3ll0w]

This was unreal. This is inspiring

[@oc3607]

bro that's awasome😮😮😮I didn't know it took so long nor that to make the sounds you had to be so creative. Props to that amazing woman

[@evertongomes4248]

That job sounds so fun.

[@HowtoMakeThings]

So passionate about her job and she does it so well.

[@reipixel9654]

3:54 Why would you add music to it

[@cjgeminitarot6836]

I love this video. Would love to see her name in the title