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Audio Description Principles and Practice

Mike Kent, Katie Ellis, Gwyneth Peaty, and Kathryn Locke

Audio Description, thanks to the global streaming services, most notably Netflix, is finally finding its place in popular media for the blind and low vision community alongside captions for the Deaf community. Within Australia the launch of AD through ABC and SBS free to air television is also sparking unparalleled interest in this area.

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Audio Description, thanks to the global streaming services, most notably Netflix, is finally finding its place in popular media for the blind and low vision community alongside captions for the Deaf community. Within Australia the launch of AD through ABC and SBS free to air television is also sparking unparalleled interest in this area.

This MOOC is designed to introduce learners to the field of Audio Description in preparation for training as audio describers. For some this will be the start of professional training in this field, for others it will provide an important background of knowledge to inform their work in other fields of media development and production.

At the end of the course, learners should have a good understanding of the background and purpose of Audio Descriptions, and the demands of the different genres and media types.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Module 1 - introduction to audio description (ad)
  • Module 2 - genres of ad
  • Module 3 - behind the screen: ad for television and movies
  • Module 4 - ad in art galleries and museums
  • Module 5 - live ad: from theatre, to the circus and fireworks
  • Module 6 - ad in sport
  • Module 7 - the future of ad

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Reviews summary

Foundational principles of audio description

According to learners, this course provides an excellent introduction to the field of Audio Description. Students find that it successfully covers the key principles and history of AD, offering a comprehensive overview of various genres and media types where AD is applied, from film and TV to museums and live performance. Many reviewers praise the well-structured content and the insights provided by a knowledgeable instructor. However, some learners note that while it is strong on theory and awareness, the course is primarily theoretical and lacks practical training needed to become a working audio describer. It is widely seen as a solid foundation for further study rather than complete professional preparation.
Seen as a step towards, not complete AD training.
"This course is an excellent first step if you're considering becoming an audio describer, but it's not the full training."
"It prepares you by giving background knowledge before you pursue professional training."
"Useful for awareness and context, less so for acquiring job-ready skills directly."
Instructor's expertise enhances the learning experience.
"The instructor is clearly an expert and passionate about the subject, which made the lectures engaging."
"Learned so much from the instructor's insights and experience."
"The instructor's passion for the subject was infectious."
Explores AD in various media and settings.
"The variety of genres and media types explored (film, theatre, museum, etc.) was particularly valuable."
"Learning how AD differs across various platforms was insightful."
"Great insight into AD for museums and live events, which I hadn't considered before."
Provides a strong foundation in AD principles.
"It gives a very good overview of the different aspects of audio description..."
"This course gave me a fantastic foundation in understanding audio description and its importance."
"A comprehensive introduction covering history, principles, and applications."
"I gained a solid foundation from completing this course."
Focuses on theory more than practical application.
"While informative on theory, I wished for more practical exercises on writing and delivering descriptions."
"Good for understanding the 'what' and 'why', but not the 'how' of actual description."
"It's an academic look at AD, not a vocational training course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Audio Description Principles and Practice with these activities:
Review 'Making Sense: A Practical Guide to Audio Description'
Gain a foundational understanding of audio description principles and best practices.
View The Visual Made Verbal - A Comprehensive... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Making Sense: A Practical Guide to Audio Description'.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and examples.
  • Reflect on how the principles discussed in the book relate to different media types.
Practice Active Listening
Improve your ability to carefully listen and process information, which is crucial for creating effective audio descriptions.
Browse courses on Active Listening
Show steps
  • Find a podcast or audiobook.
  • Listen attentively, focusing on details and nuances.
  • Summarize the content in your own words, paying attention to descriptive language.
Describe a Scene from a Favorite Movie
Apply audio description principles to a familiar scene, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and accuracy.
Show steps
  • Choose a scene from a movie you know well.
  • Watch the scene without sound, noting visual details.
  • Write an audio description of the scene, adhering to established guidelines.
  • Review and refine your description for clarity and accuracy.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Peer Review Audio Descriptions
Receive feedback on your audio descriptions and provide constructive criticism to others, improving your understanding of best practices.
Show steps
  • Connect with other students in the course.
  • Exchange audio descriptions you've created.
  • Provide feedback on each other's work, focusing on clarity, accuracy, and style.
  • Discuss areas for improvement and share insights.
Explore 'Audio Description: The Art of Visual Made Verbal'
Deepen your understanding of the artistic and creative aspects of audio description.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Audio Description: The Art of Visual Made Verbal'.
  • Read the book, paying attention to the author's insights on creativity and style.
  • Reflect on how you can apply these insights to your own audio description work.
Create an Audio Described Tour of a Local Museum
Apply your knowledge and skills to create a comprehensive audio description experience for a real-world setting.
Show steps
  • Contact a local museum and obtain permission to create an audio described tour.
  • Visit the museum and select several exhibits to describe.
  • Write audio descriptions for each exhibit, considering the target audience and the museum's guidelines.
  • Record the audio descriptions and create a cohesive tour experience.
  • Share your tour with the museum and gather feedback.
Volunteer at a Local Theater
Gain practical experience in live audio description and contribute to making theater accessible to blind and low-vision audiences.
Show steps
  • Contact a local theater that offers audio described performances.
  • Volunteer to assist with audio description, such as helping patrons with assistive listening devices.
  • Observe experienced audio describers and learn from their techniques.
  • Offer to provide feedback on the audio description from the perspective of an audience member.

Career center

Learners who complete Audio Description Principles and Practice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Audio Describer
The role of an audio describer is to create detailed verbal descriptions of visual elements in various media, ensuring accessibility for individuals who are blind or have low vision. This course provides an introduction to the principles and practices of audio description, covering its purpose, demands, and different genres. Learners of this course will explore how audio description is used across varied contexts such as television, film, art galleries, live performances, and sports, which are all essential for a successful career as an audio describer. This course forms a foundational understanding in the field and helps prepare you for professional training in the job.
See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Describer
Accessibility Specialist
An accessibility specialist ensures that products, services, and environments are usable by people with disabilities. This course, with its focus on audio description, is useful for gaining a better understanding of how to make content accessible. The specialist can leverage their training in audio description to be better aligned with the needs of the blind and low vision communities. The course will also benefit an accessibility specialist's ability to advocate for accessibility.
See salaries and explore the career path for Accessibility Specialist
Accessibility Consultant
An accessibility consultant evaluates and advises on the inclusivity of various products and services, particularly focusing on the experience of people with disabilities. This course's focus on audio description directly addresses an important aspect of accessibility for the blind and low vision community. The modules on different genres of audio description, such as those in art galleries or live performances, may be useful to understand the diverse needs of audiences. By understanding the background and implementation of audio descriptions, you can be better equipped to consult on inclusive media experiences.
See salaries and explore the career path for Accessibility Consultant
Museum Educator
A museum educator develops and manages educational programs, aiming to make museum content accessible and engaging to all audiences. The course's module on audio description in art galleries and museums provides relevant knowledge for designing inclusive experiences. Understanding how to adapt visual information into accessible audio formats is invaluable for a museum educator who wishes to improve accessibility. This course may prepare a museum educator to facilitate more inclusive environments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator
Live Event Coordinator
A live events coordinator organizes and manages various types of live events. This course may be helpful for a live event coordinator to understand and schedule audio description for attendees. The course includes modules on live audio description in theatre, circus, and sporting events, which provide important knowledge for a live event coordinator. The coordinator may use this training to provide a better experience for attendees with disabilities.
See salaries and explore the career path for Live Event Coordinator
Communication Specialist
A communication specialist is responsible for creating and delivering effective messages to diverse audiences. The course in audio description will enable a communication specialist to focus on the inclusion of the blind and low vison community. Understanding how to translate visual media into accessible audio can be helpful in ensuring messages reach all audiences. A communication specialist who is able to incorporate accessibility has a valuable edge.
See salaries and explore the career path for Communication Specialist
Media Producer
A media producer oversees the creation of content across various platforms, ensuring projects meet accessibility standards. The course's exploration of audio description will be helpful in integrating inclusive practices early in the production process. Understanding the demands of audio description across genres is useful for a media producer who wants to create accessible content from the outset. This experience may differentiate a media producer who prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility in their work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Media Producer
Content Strategist
A content strategist plans and develops content to meet specific audience needs and business goals. Understanding the growing importance of audio description for diverse audiences helps a content strategist create more inclusive and accessible content. The course provides a solid grounding in the principles of audio description, which are crucial when developing content strategies. The content strategist may gain unique insights into accessibility when they understand the range of contexts where audio description is useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Strategist
Curator
A curator is responsible for the acquisition, management, and display of collections in museums and galleries. This course may help a curator understand how to make collections accessible using audio description. This course's module on audio description in art galleries provides specific knowledge in this context. A curator may also learn how to work with audio describers and plan for accessibility.
See salaries and explore the career path for Curator
Multimedia Designer
A multimedia designer creates content across multiple platforms and formats including audio and visual elements. This course is helpful for those who aim to incorporate accessibility into their designs, particularly for audiences in need of audio description. The course's focus on audio description will make the designer more sensitive to the needs of these audiences, and how to create inclusive content. Understanding the principles of audio description, across multiple genres, can set a multimedia designer apart from their peers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Designer
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer creates educational materials and courses across various formats. The principles of accessibility covered in this course will be useful for the instructional designer when crafting more inclusive learning experiences. The course's discussion of audio description is particularly helpful for an instructional designer who develops online courses. By understanding audio description the designer can make sure that the educational material is accessible to all.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer
Television Production Assistant
A television production assistant supports the various aspects of television production. Knowledge of audio description principles and practices can make a production assistant more valuable within this role. The course focuses on audio description for television and movies which directly assists a production assistant who intends to work on accessible media. You will be better equipped to assist in the creation of accessible content when you are aware of the importance and implementation of audio description.
See salaries and explore the career path for Television Production Assistant
Special Education Teacher
A special education teacher works with children and young people who have additional learning needs. Understanding audio description principles allows the special education teacher to promote inclusivity. The accessibility techniques covered in the course may help a special education teacher create a better learning environment for all students. The different genres of audio description explored in this course, may help the teacher be more creative when designing accessible materials.
See salaries and explore the career path for Special Education Teacher
Film Editor
A film editor is responsible for assembling raw footage into a cohesive film or video. Knowledge of audio description informs the film editor on how to make the final project more accessible. Understanding how audio elements are added to film may be helpful for integrating audio descriptions into the editing workflow. The course will be useful for a film editor who intends to work in the field of accessible media production.
See salaries and explore the career path for Film Editor
Broadcast Technician
A broadcast technician works with audio and video equipment in a television or radio broadcasting setting. This course will be useful to a broadcast technician by providing an understanding of audio description. The technician who understands how audio descriptions are created has more control over the broadcasting of accessible media. The course may give a broadcast technician insight into how accessibility impacts their work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcast Technician

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Audio Description Principles and Practice.
Cover image
The Visual Made Verbal
Save
Is widely considered a foundational text in the field of audio description. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of audio description across various media. Reading this book before the course will give you a solid understanding of the core concepts and terminology, allowing you to engage more effectively with the course material. It useful reference tool for aspiring and practicing audio describers.
The Visual Made Verbal - A Comprehensive Training...
Perfect Paperback
$$
(Español) De la imagen a la palabra – Manual completo de...
Print on Demand (Paperback)
$$
The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Delves into the artistic and creative aspects of audio description. It explores the challenges and opportunities involved in translating visual information into engaging and informative narratives. Reading this book will help you develop a deeper appreciation for the craft of audio description and inspire you to create more compelling and effective descriptions. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
1 to 2 hours per week for 7 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Curtin University
Instructors
Mike Kent
Katie Ellis
Gwyneth Peaty
Kathryn Locke
Language
English
Transcript
English
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