Video description provides an extra audio track to narrate actions on screen, making movies and TV shows accessible to blind individuals.
Audio describers bring depth and richness to the movie experience for blind individuals by interpreting the film and providing insights into details, emotions, and nuances.
Deep dives
Sonos Rome: An Ultra Portable Smart Speaker
The Sonos Rome is a lightweight and portable smart speaker that delivers an exceptional audio experience. Weighing less than a pound, it is shock absorbent and resistant to dust and water. Equipped with the Trueplay technology, it automatically adjusts the sound to suit any environment. With up to ten hours of continuous playback on a single charge, the Sonos Rome is the preferred choice among portable Bluetooth speakers.
Descriptive Video Service: Bringing Movies to Life for the Blind
Video description, also known as audio description, provides an extra audio track that narrates the actions on screen, allowing blind or visually impaired individuals to follow along with movies and television shows. This innovation started at WGBH in the early 1990s, and their efforts helped make movie theaters accessible to the blind. With the availability of described programming on VHS tapes and later on DVDs, blind individuals could enjoy the full experience of watching movies in theaters or at home, creating a sense of inclusion and immersion in the visual world of cinema.
The Power of Audio Description: A Unique Cinematic Experience
For blind individuals, going to the movies with an audio describer can be a transformative experience. The audio describer not only describes the visuals but interprets the film, providing insights into the details, emotions, and nuances present on screen. With descriptive narration, blind moviegoers can feel connected to the story, characters, and the larger cinematic experience. The careful selection of words, timing, and delivery by the audio describer adds depth and richness to the experience, allowing blind individuals to fully engage and enjoy the magic of movies.
When Matthew Shifrin was growing up, his blindness meant that trying to enjoy a movie or TV show was often a confusing and frustrating experience. But then, Matthew discovered something called video description—an extra audio track where a narrator describes the action on screen. And suddenly, everything changed. This story comes from the Radiotopia podcast Blind Guy Travels.
If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
Hiring? Sign up at Indeed.com/Hertz and get a $75 credit to sponsor your first job post for better visibility, more applications, and quicker hiring times.
