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COURSE OVERVIEW
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: THE VISUAL MADE VERBAL
Arts Access For People Who Are Blind
Instructor: Joel Snyder, President, Audio
Description Associates
Director, Audio Description
Project, American Council
of the Blind
Telephone: 301 920-0218 or cell-301 452-1898
E-mail: jsnyder@audiodescribe.com

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Course Description
Audio Description (AD) makes the visual images
of theater, media and visual art accessible for
people who are blind or have low vision—the
visual is made verbal. Using words that are
succinct, vivid, and imaginative, describers
convey the visual image that is not fully
accessible to a segment of the population and
not fully realized by the rest of us—people who
see but who may not observe.

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In pauses between pieces of dialogue or critical
sound elements, describers insert narrative that
translates the visual image into a sense form that is
accessible to millions of individuals who otherwise
would lack full access to the arts.

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In training describers, focus is on four
fundamentals:
OBSERVATION We learn to see the world anew. In
his book, "Seen/Unseen: A Guide to Active
Seeing,“
the photographer, John Schaefer, coins the phrase
"visual literacy." Schaefer refers to the need to
“increase your level of awareness and become an
active ‘see er’." The best describers will truly notice
all the visual elements that make up an event.
What
do you see
in this
image?

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2) EDITING
Audio describers must
then edit or cull from
what they see, selecting
what is most valid, what
is most important, what
is most critical to an
understanding and
appreciation of an
event. Often, only a few
precious seconds are
available to convey
those images.

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3) LANGUAGE
We transfer it all to words—objective, vivid,
imaginatively drawn words, phrases, and metaphors.
For instance, how many different words can you use
to describe someone moving along a sidewalk?
Why say "walk" why you can more vividly describe
the action with “sashay,” “stroll,” “skip,” “stumble,”
or “saunter”?

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4) VOCAL SKILLS
Finally, in addition to building a verbal capability, the
describer (or whoever will voice the descriptions)
develops the vocal instrument through work with
speech and oral interpretation fundamentals.
Try the tongue twisters on the next three slides just for
fun. “Speak the speech trippingly” as Hamlet says—
after you read each one aloud, click on the button
following the line to hear me give it a try.

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“Make mother mad!,” cried
mischievous Marvin, munching a
marble. Maybe Marvin meant much
more as he moved motionlessly.
666 seasick sailors slinked over the
steel sides.
A big black bug bit a big black bear and
the big black bear bled black blood.
Rubber baby buggy bumpers.

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National Shropshire Sheep Association.
“Are you copper-bottoming them, my
man?” “No, I’m aluminuming ‘em,
mum.”
Dr. Pepper’s pink pills for poor, pitiful,
pepless people.
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts,
With stoutest wrists and loudest boasts,
He thrusts his fists against the posts,
And still insists he sees the ghosts.

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If a Hottentot tot taught a Hottentot tot
To talk ere the tot could totter,
Ought the Hottentot tot be taught to say ought?
Or, what ought to be taught her?
If to hoot and toot a Hottentot tot
Be taught by a Hottentot tutor,
Should the tutor get hot if the Hottentot tot
Hoot and toot at the Hottentot tutor?
Katy Krocker cooked a cup of proper coffee in a proper
copper coffee cup.
Caesar sighed and seized the scissors.
Whether the weather be cold, whether the weather be hot,
We’ll be together whatever the weather,
whether we like it or not.

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Course Goals: By the end of this course
students can expect to know/experience:
-- who are "the blind"?
-- the history of Audio Description
-- Active Seeing / Visual Literacy
-- the art of "editing" what you see
-- using language to conjure images
-- using Audio Description in live theater
productions, in video/film, with visual art
exhibits, and on the web

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Sessions 1 and 2–
Introduction;
Who are "the blind"?;
The history of Audio Description;
Viewing of audio description documentaries;
Viewing/analysis of audio described samples.
For private study and discussion on Message
Board (click on / visit the following sites):

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Sessions 3 and 4–
Active Seeing / Visual Literacy;
The art of "editing" what you see;
Using language to conjure images;
Viewing/analysis of audio described samples.
For private study and discussion on Message
Board (click on / visit the following site):

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Sessions 5 and 6–
Using Audio Description in:
-live theater productions;
-in video/film;
-with visual art exhibits.
Audio description practica
For private study and discussion on Message Board
(click on / visit the following site):

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Sessions 7 and 8 –
Audio description practica
For private study and discussion on Message Board
(click on / visit the following site):

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Sessions 9 and 10 –
Audio description practica
For private study and discussion on Message
Board (click on / visit the following site):

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Sessions 11 and 12 –
Audio description practica;
Presentation of final exams.
For private study and discussion on Message
Board (click on / visit the following site):

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Final Exam
The final exam will involve the development of and
the live or recorded delivery of an audio description
script for a half-hour video of his/her choosing
(subject to prior review and approval by the
instructor).