If you’re primarily talking about the time commitment as cost, anyone who doesn’t have the time won’t care about foley to begin with. It’s an attention to detail that someone turning to automated tools won’t have to begin with.
Beyond that, foley is a very creative process. It’s not just placing foot steps at the right moment, it’s making them sound right contextually. It’s knowing that smacking a spring is a great blaster sound, not just putting a gunshot in.
Of all the crafts involved in making a movie, audio is one of my favorites (even though as someone from camera department I'd never admit that on set). One of the post houses I worked in had a foley studio, and it has always been one of those things I would love to do. It just looks like so much fun. It's as close to child-like playing as an adult can get. What would it sound like if we did....cool. What would it sound like if we....meh, but we can blend that will that other thing...cool.
If you’re primarily talking about the time commitment as cost, anyone who doesn’t have the time won’t care about foley to begin with. It’s an attention to detail that someone turning to automated tools won’t have to begin with.
Beyond that, foley is a very creative process. It’s not just placing foot steps at the right moment, it’s making them sound right contextually. It’s knowing that smacking a spring is a great blaster sound, not just putting a gunshot in.