Audiodescription

Audio Describers weave spoken narration around dialogue, sound effects and sometimes music, to give a continuous description of what appears on screen. Audio description makes cinema accessible to blind or partially sighted audiences by describing characters and what they look like (including their costumes, movement and gestures), and locations, props, action, etc. These very detailed descriptions bring the cinema experience to life. In Cinemas audio description is provided using headphones, which allow the audience to vary sound levels according to their requirements; for home viewing additional soundtracks are available on DVDs. Audio Describers usually work on a freelance basis for Facilities Houses. They are selected by Distributors from a variety of different voices; selection is based on the specific requirements of each film. They usually work on television as well as film productions. What is the job?Audio Describers work on computers using a specially developed program, which simultaneously displays the film script, actual film images, and time code, enabling them to write their own narration according to precise timings, or in gaps between the dialogue, music and sound effects. Once the audio description script has been prepared, Audio Describers spend several days in a recording booth, ensuring that the descriptions are narrated precisely so that words are not lost or clipped. Each description is recorded onto a computer sound file and mixed on a specific soundtrack, which is reviewed by the Distributor. If any mistakes or mispronunciations are identified, they must be corrected by Audio Describers in the recording booth. They may also be required to write narrations for films that other Audio Describers record.Typical career routesAlthough there are no typical career routes for Audio Describers, they may come from a broadcasting or acting background, or they may be graduates with a keen interest in film and television, and/or in blind or partially sighted people. Audio post production houses prefer to train their own Audio Describers, and advertise for trainees in the national press and on their websites. Essential knowledge and skillsA good knowledge of film and television is an advantage. Computer literacy is also required. Key Skills include:Excellent writing skillsStrong vocal skills and a pleasing voiceStrong aural skillsExcellent communication skillsA good sense of timing Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and proceduresTraining and qualificationsAlthough there are no specific qualifications or training for this role, most Audio Describers are graduates of English, Arts, Film Studies, Media Studies, etc. Training is provided by Access Facilities companies who recruit their own Audio Describers. The University of Surrey offers an MA in Monolingual Subtitling and Audio description.Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film. For more information, please log onto the Skillset website.Where to go for more informationSkillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. For information about training, links to the Skillset network of training partners, and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database, visit the website http://www.skillset.org/. Skillset Careers is the UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit the website www.skillset.org/careers WebsitesThe Royal National Institute for the Blind offers information on Audio Description RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind)University of Surrey University of SurreySeveral access post production houses specialise in subtitling ims-mediaitfc itfcFor listings of all cinemas with audio descriptions and subtitling facilities, plus a free e-mail service of forthcoming film releases etc. Your Local CinemaAn invaluable resource for sound and film Film SoundSonic Arts Network sonic arts networkFor innovations in sound recording technology zaxcomThe Institute of Broadcast Sound Institute of Broadcast SoundThe Association of Motion Picture Sound Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS)The Association of Professional Recording Studios Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS)The Audio Engineering Society, an US-based website with a thriving UK section Audio Engineering SocietyPublicationsSound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects Cinema. Edited by David Sonnenschein (Michael Wiese Productions)Film Sound by Elizabeth Weis and John Belton (Columbia University Press) Audio-Vision : Sound on Screen by Michael Chion (Columbia University Press)Sound on Sound magazine Sound on SoundAudio Media magazine Audio Media Magazine