The sounds you hear in movies, cartoons, and even reality TV shows are highly coordinated and processed to eliminate distractions and focus your attention. Volumes of voices are adjusted, frequencies tinkered with, reverb added, background music is added, and so on.
One of the most important roles in the soundtrack creation process is that of Foley artist. These are people who make sound effects. You know them. The ones using coconuts to make horse galloping sounds.
They frequently work with a collection of ordinary objects and a few specialized machines, and it is the kind of work you can easily do yourself with a little practice and inspiration. Juice up any production with some original, locally-grown sounds.
