Episode 018: Audio Description

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AnDread and described video writer Liam Leonard aka Graham the Haunted Marshmallow discuss the benefits of audio description for disabled and nondisabled viewers, the challenges and rewards of writing audio description, and the audio description for Gerald’s Game!

Poster for Gerald’s Game. Gerald (Bruce Greenwood), a clean-cut man in his 60s without a shirt on, lies atop Jesse (Carla Gugino), a woman in her 40s wearing a neglige, her arms spread to the sides of her head, wrists in handcuffs linked to the bedposts.
Text at upper right corner:
Carla Gugino Bruce Greenwood
A Netflix Film
GERALD’S GAME
Some games you play. Some you survive.
Text at lower right corner:
A Mike Flanagan film.
Based on the novel by Stephen King.
September 29 | Netflix

Intro

  • Liam’s interest in horror
    • Audio description defined: description of visual elements (actions, changes in location, characters’ facial expressions, etc.) of a TV show or movie while playing, typically between dialogue
    • Work in audio description
    • Thoughts on disability in horror

Audio Description  34:02

  • Why is audio description important to the viewing experience?
    • Gives access to movies for people with visual impairments
    • Gives access to people not fully watching film (having it on while falling asleep, cleaning the house, looking at your phone, etc.)
    • Netflix one of the best platforms for finding content with audio description
    • The Audio Description Project – American Council of the Blind site that catalogs movies available on disc and streaming with audio description available
    • Shudder – no audio description available, say they are “working on it” – write to them to make it happen!
    • Shout/Scream Factory is providing some (mostly newer) movies with audio description
    • Often audio description is supplied by production or distribution companies, so pressure also needs to be on them to demand they distribute audio description with their content
  • What are the core values/goals/practices for successful audio description?
    • Audio description should be thought of as for everyone, not just people with visual impairments
    • Clarity and prioritizing details – what are the most important details for the viewer to know?
    • Be unique and create an immersive experience
    • Match the tone of the movie
    • Move with the pace of the movie – e.g., all images in a montage might not be described, but the general gist of what is being communicated
  • Providing access does not mean replicating an experience but facilitating a similarly immersive experience – another way into participation
  • What challenges/rewards go into doing audio description for horror/genre work?
    • Making horror movies more accessible
    • Getting the timing right to build and release tension in line with the visuals
    • Unique images that come with horror movies (extreme injuries, deaths, gore)
    • Describing what is in the background if important to viewer, even if character not aware of it
    • Describing visual clues without spoiling mystery
    • Easter eggs described or not on a case-by-case basis
  • What are some of your favorite films or shows that you’ve worked on?

Gerald’s Game (2017) Audio Description Discussion (Netflix)  2:15:59

Guest plugs  2:57:18

Plugs and Wrap-Up  3:01:43

There will be a transcript for this show in the future. Please contact freaksandpsychospodcast@gmail.com for any accessibility concerns.

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