To get an appreciation for how farts SFX are added to adorn movie clips – we need to explain the method to the madness.
If you thought we just slap some flatulence on top of the scenes, you are dead wrong.
The Definition
Fart·o·logy
/fɑːtləʤi/
noun
noun: fartology
the scientific study of human flatulence and its functions, especially those affecting the smell of a room in a given context.
synonyms: fartological science, science of the fart
“a degree in fartology”
the stinky characteristics or stench of a person or group.
plural noun: fartologies
“the fartology of Americans in the 1920s”
synonyms: cut the cheese, stinker, toot, whoopee, break wind, butt burp, cheek flapper, crop dusting, free Jacuzzi, one-gun salute, pass gas, playing the tuba; rectal honk
“the fartology of the motorist”
What goes into the art
We first examine the clip, to identify the mood, and what kind of tonality would work. Then the focus shifts to which register of sound to use.
The scene could either call for On Cue type sounds, or the prolonged Stoic. To learn more about those, see our Audiolence page.
We then study where the pan of the sound should come from, meaning, if the rectal orifice of the sound producer is in front, to the right or left. We could test the exact pan direction many times before it is decided upon…
Then, we study the material the sound has traveled through, to construct the exact EQ setting for the scene.
For example, if the anus facing the camera? is the anus facing the ground? is the scene in a dry climate or should we account for more humidity?
Decisions decisions…
The exact frame to add the sound to could take us a weekend of analysis, and even then may call for some tweaks.
Its a tough job, and someone is got to do it.