Meet Lúcia Carvalho

We recently connected with Lúcia Carvalho and have shared our conversation below.

Lúcia , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding your purpose doesn’t always happen all at once. Often, it’s something that comes with time, as you explore different things and figure out what truly makes you feel fulfilled. For me, that journey started with music. I’ve always been fascinated by how music can create emotions and tell stories, even without words. It was my first experience with sound, and I loved how it could shape a mood or bring people together.

Over time, I started to realize that sound had a lot of power beyond music. I discovered foley while studying music production and electronic music. In my second year of university, I had a class about the history of sound design, and that’s where I was first introduced to foley. I was so impressed by it that I immediately wanted to learn more. From that moment on, I started exploring foley in more depth, fascinated by how everyday sounds, like footsteps or the rustling of clothes, could completely change how a scene feels.

These small details, which most people don’t even notice, make the world in a film feel real. From there, I knew this was the direction I wanted to take—bringing authenticity and emotion to stories through sound.What began with music grew into something much bigger. I found that through sound, I could be part of creating experiences that connect people to stories in a deeper way. Even though I’m still at the beginning of my journey in this field, working as a foley artist, I already know that this is where I want to be – using sound to make stories come to life in a unique way.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My job is all about bringing stories to life through sound. As a foley artist, I’m the one creating the sounds that make scenes feel real – things like footsteps, or objects interacting with the environment. What I love most about this work is how these little details, that people might not even notice, can have such a big impact on how someone experiences a scene. It’s amazing how just a subtle sound can completely change the vibe and pull the audience deeper into the story.
One example of this is when we need to recreate the sound of footsteps on a rough street. Instead of recording the actual sound of shoes on pavement, we might use coffee grounds to get a “dirtier” and more textured sound that fits the scene better. It’s super creative and often means playing around with unusual materials to find just the right sound.
I’m still in the beginning of my career, but I’m really excited about where this journey is taking me. Foley is a cool mix of creativity and precision, and I’m always learning new tricks to make sound work even better in telling a story.
As I keep growing in this field, I’m looking forward to taking on more unique projects and working with filmmakers and creatives who care about the details as much as I do. Sound design is always evolving, and I’m excited to be a part of that.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Even though I’m still in the beginning of my career, I’ve already noticed a few key qualities that make a big difference. Attention to detail is crucial because in foley, even the smallest sound can change how a scene feels, so paying close attention to every little element is essential. Another important thing is interpreting the character. Foley isn’t just about creating footsteps or object sounds, it’s about understanding the emotional state of the character – whether they’re sad, happy, or angry – and making sure the sound reflects that and matches the mood of the scene.
Creativity is also a big part of the job. You often have to come up with new and different ways to create sounds, which means thinking outside the box and being open to trying different ideas until you find the right one. Persistence is just as important. Things don’t always work out perfectly on the first try, so it’s about sticking with it and adjusting until you get it right. That persistence helps you get better over time and tackle challenges as they come.
It’s also crucial to watch and learn from big films, as they provide valuable insights into how sound design is done in large productions, giving you ideas to apply in your own work. And of course, one piece of advice that applies to almost everything in the arts is the importance of practice. The more you practice, the better you become. For anyone just starting out, I’d suggest focusing on these qualities, continuing to practice, and not being afraid of making mistakes or trying again.

Beyond technical skills, I’ve also realized how important it is to make contacts. In this field, like in many areas of post-production, having strong contacts can lead to more opportunities and projects. I’m currently working on growing my network because having these contacts is key to staying active and moving forward in the industry. In this field, networking is just as important as developing your technical and creative skills.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

Right now, one of the challenges I’m facing is growing my network in the industry. Since I’m just starting out and based in Portugal, there are opportunities, but not as many as in bigger markets like the U.S. Down the line, I’d love to work in one of the big studios in Los Angeles, or at least collaborate with some of the top professionals in the field.

It’s not always easy to make those connections, but I’m staying persistent. I’m passionate about what I do, and I believe that with time, effort, and the right opportunities, I’ll keep growing and moving towards my goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/foleycraftstudio/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foley_bylu/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/l%C3%BAcia-carvalho-3b1a3a216/