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Painting pictures for the blind Painting pictures for the blind
(1 day later)
By Julian Joyce BBC News EastEnders described Blind and partially sighted people want more so-called audio description channels to help their experience of TV. But how do audio describers translate the richness of television pictures into words?By Julian Joyce BBC News EastEnders described Blind and partially sighted people want more so-called audio description channels to help their experience of TV. But how do audio describers translate the richness of television pictures into words?
Seated in a small studio in west London, 35-year-old Jeremy Firth does what he does best: using words to "paint" television pictures for the blind and visually impaired.Seated in a small studio in west London, 35-year-old Jeremy Firth does what he does best: using words to "paint" television pictures for the blind and visually impaired.
The former BBC continuity announcer watches intently while the computer screen in front of him shows a popular daytime Australian soap opera. A couple lie in bed. They chat, and then kiss.The former BBC continuity announcer watches intently while the computer screen in front of him shows a popular daytime Australian soap opera. A couple lie in bed. They chat, and then kiss.
As their lips touch Jeremy pauses, dips the sound and presses a key to record his voice over the soundtrack.As their lips touch Jeremy pauses, dips the sound and presses a key to record his voice over the soundtrack.
"As they gaze into each other's eyes, Henk leans forward and kisses Cassie delicately on the lips," he says. "Henk strokes Cassie's neck. She stretches her arms around her shoulder and nuzzles into his neck.""As they gaze into each other's eyes, Henk leans forward and kisses Cassie delicately on the lips," he says. "Henk strokes Cassie's neck. She stretches her arms around her shoulder and nuzzles into his neck."
If it is done well, and sensitively, it makes television a much more rewarding experience Former cabinet minister David Blunkett TV 'is important to blind people'If it is done well, and sensitively, it makes television a much more rewarding experience Former cabinet minister David Blunkett TV 'is important to blind people'
Watching him at work, it all appears faintly ridiculous; until you close your eyes and imagine that your only experience of television is the dialogue, sound effects and music - and Jeremy's rather well-spoken voice.Watching him at work, it all appears faintly ridiculous; until you close your eyes and imagine that your only experience of television is the dialogue, sound effects and music - and Jeremy's rather well-spoken voice.
Then it all makes perfect sense - both the programme that Jeremy is currently working on, and the concept itself.Then it all makes perfect sense - both the programme that Jeremy is currently working on, and the concept itself.
Painting a picturePainting a picture
Jeremy is an audio describer (AD) - one of a small team of people employed by the company Red Bee who make television comprehensible to the blind.Jeremy is an audio describer (AD) - one of a small team of people employed by the company Red Bee who make television comprehensible to the blind.
They provide a commentary that describes body language, expressions and movements for the estimated two million visually-impaired people who "experience" TV.They provide a commentary that describes body language, expressions and movements for the estimated two million visually-impaired people who "experience" TV.
He describes his job as "painting a mental picture of what is happening on screen."He describes his job as "painting a mental picture of what is happening on screen."
"I'd say the qualities called for are a good eye for detail and the ability to describe what you see in front you, in a perfectly objective manner," he says."I'd say the qualities called for are a good eye for detail and the ability to describe what you see in front you, in a perfectly objective manner," he says.
It also calls for excellent judgement - knowing when to speak, and when to shut up. "We sometimes need to let the visually impaired person work out for themselves what is going on from sound effects and music," says Jeremy.It also calls for excellent judgement - knowing when to speak, and when to shut up. "We sometimes need to let the visually impaired person work out for themselves what is going on from sound effects and music," says Jeremy.
He has worked on all television formats, from children's TV to risque late-night dramas.He has worked on all television formats, from children's TV to risque late-night dramas.
"It is very important to be as matter-of-fact as you can when you are describing a sex scene," he says. "We must just describe what we see.""It is very important to be as matter-of-fact as you can when you are describing a sex scene," he says. "We must just describe what we see."
Embarrassed by sexEmbarrassed by sex
The visually impaired, it seems, have no truck with audio describers afflicted with coyness.The visually impaired, it seems, have no truck with audio describers afflicted with coyness.
"I remember we had complaints from some of our audience about the way in which one of our team was describing a sex scene. They didn't like the fact that she appeared embarrassed.""I remember we had complaints from some of our audience about the way in which one of our team was describing a sex scene. They didn't like the fact that she appeared embarrassed."
THE AD SERVICE AD is currently available for about 13% of the programmes on Sky, Virgin Media and some Freeview boxesThe RNIB wants the broadcasters to double the amount of AD material they provideMost people in the UK can receive audio description via digital satellite television or cable televisionIt is normally possible to select audio description (or Narrative) via the menus on your set-top boxTHE AD SERVICE AD is currently available for about 13% of the programmes on Sky, Virgin Media and some Freeview boxesThe RNIB wants the broadcasters to double the amount of AD material they provideMost people in the UK can receive audio description via digital satellite television or cable televisionIt is normally possible to select audio description (or Narrative) via the menus on your set-top box
Nature documentaries, like the BBC's current Life in Cold Blood, are particularly challenging for the AD team.Nature documentaries, like the BBC's current Life in Cold Blood, are particularly challenging for the AD team.
It is only when you "watch" one with your eyes closed that you realise how little dialogue Sir David Attenborough supplies.It is only when you "watch" one with your eyes closed that you realise how little dialogue Sir David Attenborough supplies.
The drama is provided by the pictures, and it's the job of the AD team to translate that into words.The drama is provided by the pictures, and it's the job of the AD team to translate that into words.
That means if a lizard scampers across the screen, the describer needs to relate size, movement, texture and colours.That means if a lizard scampers across the screen, the describer needs to relate size, movement, texture and colours.
"A lot of people who were not born blind still have a strong colour memory - and it is important to mention it," says Jeremy."A lot of people who were not born blind still have a strong colour memory - and it is important to mention it," says Jeremy.
Complex dramas or feature films, where lots of action happens at the same time, call for a talent to prioritise the most important pieces of visual information.Complex dramas or feature films, where lots of action happens at the same time, call for a talent to prioritise the most important pieces of visual information.
Not funnyNot funny
Comedy - especially visual comedy - is the most difficult genre covered by the AD team.Comedy - especially visual comedy - is the most difficult genre covered by the AD team.
Jeremy agrees that often once you have explained a gag, it simply is not funny any longer.Jeremy agrees that often once you have explained a gag, it simply is not funny any longer.
Blind people get a 50% concession on the TV licence feeBlind people get a 50% concession on the TV licence fee
The Royal National Institute for the Blind says that sharing in the nation's television experience can transform blind people's relationship with the world.The Royal National Institute for the Blind says that sharing in the nation's television experience can transform blind people's relationship with the world.
It also allows them to share in the many "water-cooler moments" the day afterwards, when people come together share their opinions on the best - and worst - of last night's TV. Blind people must still pay the TV licence fee, although they get a 50% concession.It also allows them to share in the many "water-cooler moments" the day afterwards, when people come together share their opinions on the best - and worst - of last night's TV. Blind people must still pay the TV licence fee, although they get a 50% concession.
Former cabinet minister David Blunkett, who is blind, is a late convert to the advantages of audio description.Former cabinet minister David Blunkett, who is blind, is a late convert to the advantages of audio description.
"I used to 'make up' the plots of television programmes in my head," he says, "but now I am finding that modern TV relies far more on visuals rather than dialogue. It's become much more difficult to follow."I used to 'make up' the plots of television programmes in my head," he says, "but now I am finding that modern TV relies far more on visuals rather than dialogue. It's become much more difficult to follow.
"The best way I can sum up audio description is like someone has filled in the story for me."The best way I can sum up audio description is like someone has filled in the story for me.
"If it is done well, and sensitively, it makes television a much more rewarding experience.""If it is done well, and sensitively, it makes television a much more rewarding experience."
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