Interviews & Articles
Audiovisual Translation in the Arab World
Cultural Localisation in Video Games
Enhancing Multimedia Learning with Captions
Alex Varley on Enhancing Local Pretensions in the Global Media Business
The Power of Bollywood Karaoke – How a Billion Have Learned to Read with the Help of Subtitles
Audio Description – A Still Much-Unknown Discipline
Audio Description is one of the topics in the multifarious conference programme of Languages and The Media. In workshops, seminars and lectures, specialists explain how Audio Description helps blind and visually impaired people to get access to audiovisual media. Bernd Benecke is one of the conference speakers who will give an overview of this technique.
Audio Description is not only about providing media access to those who cannot see; it is also an important instrument for the social and cultural integration of blind and visually impaired people. Through the description of a film, they have the possibility to participate in everyday cultural activities as well as integrate themselves while talking about common topics like the storyline of a film.
Though there is still a lot of work to do, progress has been notable. With the amending of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) in November 2007 by the European Parliament, for instance, improvements for blind and visually impaired people should take place. Barrier-free access to the media is the key and should contribute to a wider range of programmes with Audio Description.
As a pioneer of Audio Description, Bernd Benecke was part of the early developments for describing images for blind and visually impaired audiences in Germany and brought forward the idea of Audio Description. Today he is the head of Audio Description at Bayerischer Rundfunk – the only broadcaster in Germany with an Audio Description Editor.
On Wednesday, October 29th, Bernd Benecke will hold the workshop “Creating Audio Description”. In an interview with Languages and The Media, he describes beforehand what Audio Description is all about and what still needs to be done in this field.
L&M: Mr Benecke, you were one of the first who initiated Audio Description in Germany. Would you describe when and how Audio Description in Germany started and how you were involved?
Bernd Benecke: In Germany, the first film was described in 1989 and presented in a cinema, followed by two similar projects in 1990 and 1992. The first film on TV was shown in 1993, followed by only one or two films a year till 1996. In 1997 Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) was the first broadcaster in Germany to start a self-financed regular Audio Description programme.
Since then Bayerischer Rundfunk has changed more than 170 movies and TV-movies into "Hörfilme" (the name that audio-described programmes were given in Germany). BR actually makes around 30 percent of the Audio Description shown on German TV and published on DVD. I was involved in each step and I am still the only full-time Audio Description Editor in Germany.
L&M: What does Audio Description mean and how does it work?
Bernd Benecke: Audio Description is the technique used for making theatre, movie and TV programmes accessible to blind and visually impaired people: An additional narration describes the action, body language, facial expressions, scenery and costumes. The description fits in between the dialogue and does not interfere with important sound and music effects.
An Audio Description is written by a team of three people – one of whom is blind. This reflects the idea that two people who watch the same scene will not always see the same things, so as a team they can monitor and complement one another. The blind member of the group will indicate where he needs the description and how much and what kind of information is necessary.
L&M: What is the aim of this technique?
Bernd Benecke: Describing images to blind and visually impaired people is not only enhancingentertainment. It is about integration. Audio Description aims to integrate blind and visually impaired people into our daily cultural life. With the help of Audio Description, they get the chance to access TV, cinema and theatre. This gives them the chance to participate in everyday communication on these topics.
L&M: What in your opinion characterises a good Audio Description?
Bernd Benecke: For me a good Audio Description is an Audio Description that put blind and visually impaired people onto the same level of understanding sighted people have when watching a movie or a TV series. Tell them what is necessary but not over-inform them and, by accident, spoil the film.
How a description of film turns out depends on the country. Every country in Europe, the US, Australia or Japan has developed its own style of doing Audio Description. Some countries prefer a more flowery style whereas others concentrate on the facts.
L&M: What challenges have you had and do you still have to struggle with working on Audio Description?
Bernd Benecke: Audio Description is still a much-unknown discipline and we have to fight for recognition and understanding every day. People sometimes like the work, but when it comes to giving money, they often turn away.
More films still have to be done. We need more awareness about the importance of Audio Description.
L&M: Mr Benecke, thank you very much for your time!
In Mr Benecke’s interactive workshop, Creating Audio Description: From the Image to the Word, on Wednesday, October 29th, from 10:00 to 13:00, participants will have the chance to prepare a description on their own. Beforehand, Bernd Benecke will give a brief introduction in Audio Description with examples from different films.