Audio Description on the Internet

Drawing of a blue eye Sight, as one of the five senses, is incredibly important in human life. It allows us to function without difficulty every day. Thanks to it, we can also enjoy theatre performances, works of art, cinema and other visual arts. But what if we have lost our sense of sight, or it has been significantly limited? Does that completely prevent us from enjoying art? Not at all! Audio description comes to our aid. What is audio description? How does it work? How do you create it? You will find out by reading our article. Illustration showing black headphones

What is audio description?

Audio description – from the Latin audio (sound) and descriptio (drawing, describing) – is a spoken description of what is happening in the image being presented. Of course, it does not apply only to films or TV series. Audio description is used in all kinds of visual art. There are different types of audio description: narration by a voice-over artist or presenter, available to all viewers; a separate audio track, only for those who are interested; and a text description of the image read out by a machine. Audio description is also used in museums – audio files are increasingly being added to guides for blind or partially sighted people. The descriptions in them are written so that the listener can easily put together all the elements of the image. Audio description in theatres is read live by a person designated for this purpose. Scenes are described between the dialogues, but not every pause is used. The characters' intentions and motivations are not presented, and neither are familiar sounds. Audio description in films and TV series is very similar to that in theatres. The only difference is that in the theatre a person reads it live, whereas in films and series there is a pre-recorded additional audio track.

Example of a film with audio description

Creating audio description

The illustration shows a microphone in a studio When creating audio description, we must remember a few general rules:

• Before starting work, we get to know the work/object we are going to
  describe very thoroughly.
• We describe what can be seen. We try to make the description answer the questions: who, what, how, where,
  when.
• We describe according to the principle: from the general to the specific.
• We describe in a way that stimulates the imagination.
  • We choose the most accurate words, rich in meaning.
  • We look for comparisons, evocative epithets, even metaphors.
  • We use names of colours and terms describing spatial relationships,
    but we avoid rare/specialist terms, e.g. the colour Falu red.
  • Where possible, we avoid the verb “can be seen” in the description. It disrupts the narrative and breaks the rhythm.

• We try to keep the description objective, understood as the absence of value judgements,
  commentary, interpretation and censorship.
  • The audio describer should not include their own assessments and opinions in the description.
  • We do not explicitly name the emotions of the characters if they are obvious
    from facial expressions (e.g. a broad smile) or from the tone and content of what is said.
  • We do not censor drastic, brutal, erotic or pornographic scenes;
    we describe them truthfully, avoiding only excessive detail.
• One hundred per cent objectivity is not possible. Audio description is always
  subjective, because it is a choice made by a specific audio describer
  with their own individual sensitivity, experience and cultural competence.
• If the description is addressed to a specific audience, for example children,
  the audio describer should take into account their specific needs, expectations
  and habits.
• The description should, as far as possible, match the style of the film/performance/work.
• Before being made public, every audio description text should be edited
  and reviewed by another editor, and then – consulted with blind
  and partially sighted people.
• Care should be taken to ensure good quality of both the recording and the reading of the audio description text.