Audio Described Techniques

This page provides information regarding the process which Accessible Arts, Inc. uses for an Audio Described movie.  The process for Audio Description of a live performance is similar, however there are some things which are not done for the presentation of live events.

Once a movie title is selected to offer, there is much that needs to be done before the movie date.  The theater complex needs to be contacted to verify the show's time; the Audio Describer needs to be hired; our volunteer base needs to be contacted; and our callers need to call the list of people who have asked that we advise them whenever we offer to audio describe a movie.

The Audio Describer usually does quite a bit in preparation for a movie.  They usually preview the movie prior to the date of audio description.  From this viewing, the Describer generates a list of key items that they wish to point out in their description.  Additionally, they usually research information on the production of the movie and material pertaining to the subject matter of the movie.

On the date of the audio described feature, Accessible Arts, Inc. can be found throughout the theater complex.  We have approximately six volunteers who wait in the theater's lobby to assist visually impaired individuals if they need it.  We have a couple of our volunteers who help with the distribution of audio receivers at the entrance to the theater that the movie is showing in.  Volunteers from our technology committee are inside the theater to set up and operate the radio transmitters.  Our Audio Describer sits in the rear of the theater and provides a live description of the movie.

The Audio Describer usually starts the audio description ten minutes before the previews.  It is during this time that they might provide a brief synopsis of the movie and describe the role that the primary characters play to the movie.  The Describer also utilizes this time to provide a brief description of the characters and the setting of the movie.  The Describer usually doesn't provide much description during the previews since the picture image is changing so quickly.  Once the feature starts, the Describer will provide a description of the picture image on the screen.  They will also read the opening credits as they are displayed.  The Audio Describer has been specially trained to be able to provide as much of a description as possible during the short pauses in movie dialogue.

Following the movie, our volunteers collect the radio receivers and pack up the transmitters.  Additionally, a group of our volunteers will wait at the theater to verify that all our visually impaired movie patron's have been picked up by their respective rides.

Accessible Arts, Inc.
P.O. Box 21514
Columbus, Ohio 43221-0514