Lights that go "WHOOMP"?

Factual Questions
21

[QUOTE=Madgolf]
A great example of the whoomp is from The Adventures of Ford Fairlaine:

17 second mark.

I think Die Hard had the same effect going on too.
[/QUOTE]

That sounds like the old-fashioned camera flashbulb-popping sound – which, again, I’ve only ever heard in movies, but I assume that old-style flashes, which did actually burn, used to make a noise like that.

I think it’s just a case of a lazy “similar visual (bright light flashing on) requires similar sound effect” attitude from the foley guys.

22

[QUOTE=Q.E.D.]
There are some very large case switches used on high-current power distribution equipment, typically rated 1000 A and up, like the one shown here. These have very heavy-duty contacts so hefty that powerful springs need to be “charged” by pumping a handle in order to toggle them. You saw a different type of these being energized in Jurassic Park. These make a pretty loud noise when you open or close them. I can see something like this being the inspiration for the sound effect.
[/QUOTE]

I’ve operated those a lot in 12kV switchgear. In some, the spring is charged by an electric motor (actually a drill motor). When you trip one, it goes BANG ying ying ying. Scares the shit out of anyone not expecting it. Ask any newby engineer. What fun. :wink:

23

Apparently this phenomenon is called the Coconut Effect:

24

[QUOTE=Colophon]
Apparently this phenomenon is called the Coconut Effect:
[/QUOTE]

There it is. Thanks.

25

Speaking of which;
Years ago when I was about twenty I was sort of watching a then old movie on TV. Two men were sitting in a car at a RR crossing while the train passed. As they were talking you could hear the crossing guard go “dingdingdingdingdingdingdingdingding”.
It took me a second or two to realize what was amiss.
Wish I could remember the movie. :confused:
BTW; are quotes appropriate for sound effects?