AD Training Fractured U. Newest 12 13

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 next thirteen tongue twisters just for fun.

“Speak the speech trippingly” as Hamlet says—
after you read each one aloud, click on the audio file
attachment to hear me give it a try.
11/22/09
“Make mother mad!,” cried
mischievous Marvin,
munching a marble.
Maybe Marvin meant much

more as he moved
motionlessly.
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666 seasick sailors
slinked over the steel
sides.
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A big black bug bit a
big black bear and the
big black bear bled
black blood.
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Rubber baby buggy bumpers.
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National Shropshire Sheep
Association.

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“Are you copper-bottoming
them, my man?”
“No, I’m aluminuming ‘em,
mum.”
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Dr. Pepper’s pink pills for poor,
pitiful, pepless people.

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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?

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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?

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Katy Krocker cooked a cup of proper coffee
in a proper copper coffee cup.

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Caesar sighed and seized the scissors.

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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 21
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Sessions 1 and 2–
Introduction;
Who are "the blind"?;
The history of Audio Description.
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;
Vocal skillls;
Using Audio Description in:

-live theater productions;
-in video/film;
-with visual art exhibits.

Board (click on / visit the following site):
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Sessions 5 and 6–
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 –
For private study and discussion on Message Board

(click on / visit the following site):
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Audio description practica;
Presentation of final exams.

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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).
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* FRACTURED UNIVERSITY *
presents
“AUDIO DESCRIPTION:
The Visual Made Verbal—
Arts Access
for People who are Blind”
with Joel Snyder

President, Audio Description Associates
Director, Audio Description Project,
American Council of the Blind
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Session One
of
Audio Description: The Visual Made Verbal
11/22/09
What better way to begin our work together than with
description of two visual images:
“The Fan” by John McPherson

Read the following or access my audio reading of this
description (next page) and then take a look at the
image on the next slide.
On a stage – at left, a woman in a flowing gown, her

hands clasped in front of her, stands before a
kneeling man in a doublet and feathered cap. He
croons, “Why dost thy heart turn away from mine?”
At right, a man at a microphone speaks: “Basically,
the guy with the goofy hat is ticked because this babe
has been runnin’ around with the dude in the black
tights.” The caption reads: “Many opera companies
now provide interpreters for the culturally impaired.”
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“Red and Rover” by Brian Basset
Read the following or access my audio reading of this
description (next page) and then take a look at the image
on the next slide.
In the first panel, Red, a red-haired eight-year-old boy, is

outdoors, lying on the ground against a tree, facing away
from us and his right arm is around Rover, a white, short-
haired dog, a lab-beagle mix. A leaf falls – Red
announces, “Brown.” In the next panel, as Rover’s tail
taps, Red notes, “Orange, Red, Yellow.” In the following
panel: “Red, Orange, Yellow, Yellow.” Next, Red turns
toward us, eyes wide, and tells us: “Dogs only see in
black and white.” The final panel depicts a more full view
of the tree, leaves scattered about the pair as Red
continues: “Yellow, Orange, Brown, Red, Orange …”
11/22/09
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What is Audio Description?
Audio Description is a kind of

literary art form. It's a type of
poetry--a haiku. It provides a
verbal version of the visual‑‑the
visual is made verbal, and aural (he
points to his ear), and oral (he
points to his mouth). Using words
that are succinct, vivid, and
imaginative, we convey the visual
image that is not fully accessible to
a segment of the population and
not fully realized by the rest of us--
the rest of us, sighted folks who
see but who may not observe.
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It’s useful for anyone who
wants to truly notice and
appreciate a more full
perspective on any visual
event but it is especially
helpful as an access tool
for people who are blind
or have low vision.
You’ll find AD these days

at arts events but also at
weddings, parades,
rodeos, circuses, sports
events, even funerals!
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A Brief History of Audio Description
Audio Description or AD was first developed in the U.S. It was

the subject of a Masters' Thesis in San Francisco, California in
the 1970's by the late Gregory Frazier. Mr. Frazier was the first to
work out the concepts behind the act and the art of AD. In 1980,
a theater in Washington, DC, Arena Stage, assembled a group of
people to provide advice on accessibility issues. Among the
committee members was Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl (then Dr.
Margaret Rockwell). Dr. Pfanstiehl founded The Metropolitan
Washington Ear, a closed-circuit radio reading service for people
who are blind or for those who don’t otherwise have access to
print.
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From there the
Washington Ear's AD
program was developed.
I was already a
volunteer reader at The
Ear, and a professional
voice talent/actor and
English teacher and I
became one of the first
audio describers in The
Ear’s program, the
Joel Snyder uses an FM steno mask world’s first ongoing
microphone and transmitter to describe audio description
a glass-blowing show for Marlaina service.
Lieberg who uses an earpiece and an
FM receiver.
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Audio Description and
Literacy
Not too long ago I conducted a
workshop in New Haven with day
care workers and reading teachers
on what I think represents a new
application for audio description--
literacy. We experimented with
developing more descriptive
language to use when working with
kids and picture books. These
books rely on pictures to tell the
story. But the teacher trained in
audio description techniques would
never simply hold up a picture of a
red ball and read the text: "See the
ball." He or she might add: "The
ball is red--just like a fire engine. I
think that ball is as large as one of
you! It's as round as the sun--a
bright red circle or sphere." 39
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The teacher has introduced
new vocabulary, invited
comparisons, and used
metaphor or simile -- with
toddlers! By using audio
description, you make these
books accessible to children
who have low vision or are
blind *and* help develop more
sophisticated language skills
for all kids.
A picture is worth 1000

words? Maybe. But the
audio describer might say
that a few well-chosen words
can conjure vivid and lasting 40
images. 11/22/09
Let me help you see what description is all about by
asking you, figuratively, to close your eyes !!
Excerpt from “The Color of Paradise,”

played THREE TIMES
- first, without description -- no video

- second, with description -- no video
- third, with description and video
GO TO THE MESSAGE BOARD AFTER

THIS EXERCISE TO REGISTER
YOUR THOUGHTS AND
OBSERVATIONS
Refer to annotated script 41

following third time 11/22/09
“AD on TV”
In the United States, in areas where a television

station is equipped to participate, AD lets all
television viewers hear what they cannot see. Up
until June 12, 2009, it’s accessible via a special audio
channel available on stereo televisions. Viewers
select the SAP (secondary audio program) channel in
order to hear the regular program audio accompanied
by the descriptions, precisely timed to occur only
during the lapses between dialogue and significant
sound elements.
Go to SHREK III:
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I’ve produced thousands of hours of hours of
description for broadcast television (including
“Sesame Street”. Sighted viewers appreciate the
descriptions as well. It's television for blind, low
vision and sighted people who want to be in the
kitchen washing dishes while the show is on!
But the Digital Age is fast upon us and other countries

may have an edge on the U.S. in mandating the use of
this new technology to provide greater accessibility to
people who are blind. Once digital television is in
place, it will be far easier to transmit a secondary
signal like that that is employed for audio description.
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“I am a blind parent of a sighted child.
“We watch Sesame Street almost everyday … The

descriptive component gives me an opportunity to
discuss with my child the silent action that is
occurring on the screen. I always enjoyed Sesame
Street as a child myself, but I really find the production
even more fun now that I can participate fully in the
programming given the audio description service.
“My daughter and I can watch Sesame Street and I am

never left wondering about the action of the
characters. We can both laugh along together when
Big Bird is searching for Ernie and Big Bird keeps
bumping into a hay stack. With the description, I can
view the show with the same information that the
sighted world is receiving.”
- Karla Hudson 11/22/09
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AD on DVDs and in Movie Theaters
That’s the broadcast story -- there's still much to be done in other
formats: the percentage of all video and film that incorporates
description is still miniscule. DVDs are an ideal format for
description because the audio track can be turned on or off as
desired and an audio menu can be programmed. Given that fact, it’s
unfortunate that there are still so few DVDs produced with
description in the United States – we’re working on that.
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In the States, AD is also still available on videotape
by special order and, more recently, in movie theaters
for first-run movie screenings.
For more information on description and movie

theaters, visit:
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AD in the Performing Arts and
Museums
Back in the “live” arts area,

about thirty States in the U.S.
have AD in live theater and in
museums via audio tours or
trained docents.
In a live theater setting, at

designated performances
(depending on the availability
of the service and how it is
administered), people desiring
audio description are provided
headsets/earplugs attached to
small receivers, about the size
That’s me—describing a live show!
of a small pocket calculator. 47
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AD users—Seattle-based Denise and Berl Colley. 48
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“Blind” Karaoke—a new use for AD!
Denise Colley Superstar!!
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Often, before the show and/or at
intermission, a taped or "live" version
of the program notes plays through
the headsets, after which a trained
describer narrates the performance
from another part of the theater via an
FM radio or infrared transmitter.
The narrator guides the audience

through the production with concise,
objective descriptions of new scenes,
settings, costumes, and body
language, all slipped in between
portions of dialogue or songs.
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PROGRAM NOTES
- music / volume adjustment

- opening statement
- basics: title, author(s),
lead characters, producer,
director/choreographer,
set/costume designers
- background: play/playwright
- list of scenes
- cast
- credits
- description of sets/costumes
- concluding statement
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Intermission
- opening
- description of
sets/costumes
- further background
- concluding statement
View “Theatre Without Limits” DVD 52

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Museums can use Audio
Description techniques to
translate the visual to a
sense form that is
accessible.
Using these techniques for

the description of static
images and exhibitions,
museum docents find that
they develop better use of
language and more
expressive, vivid, and
imaginative museum tours,
greatly appreciated by all
How would you describe this
visitors. image? What are the gloves
made of? 53
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In this way, docent‑led tours are more appropriate for the
low‑vision visitor and docents find that their regular tours are
enhanced. A lively and vivid descriptive process enables docents
to make the museum experience more accessible and more
meaningful for everyone.
A young visitor/AD user at

the National Aquarium in Baltimore
listening to the AD tour I wrote
and voiced for the Aquarium.
11/22/09
Some museum administrators are interested in
having a recorded tour, specifically geared to
people with low vision. Combined with directional
information, these recorded tours on
audiocassettes enable visitors who are blind to
use a simple hand-held audio player to tour at least
a portion of the museum independently and with
new access to the visual elements of exhibitions.
Other curators are interested in having certain

videos within an exhibit or a special film
described.
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-FM / infra-red transmission devices
-audio cassette
-CD
-digital wand
-area trigger—description begins as a
visitor enters a display area
AUDIO TOUR
DELIVERY MECHANISMS
FOR MUSEUMS
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A TRUE STORY
Speaking of museums -- I have a true story for you:

a blind fellow visiting a museum with some friends
was once asked, “Excuse me, but what you doing
in a museum? You can’t see any of the exhibits.”
!!!!!!!!!
His response? “I’m here for the same reason

anyone goes to a museum. I want to learn, I want
to know and be a part of our culture.”
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That gentleman’s inability to see shouldn’t deny
him access to our culture. It the responsibility of
our arts institutions to be as inclusive as
possible.
It’s all about access to our culture and that is

everyone’s right.
There is no reason why a person with

a particular disability must also be
culturally disadvantaged.
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But reasons remain -- and those who control cultural venues may not
loosen their grip on excuses for non-action until folks demand the
access that is their right -- to paraphrase Star Trek, demand the
opportunity to go where everyone else has already gone.
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Part of that has to do with, you should excuse the
expression, VISIBILITY. Visibility of folks who desire the
service making their wishes known, and visibility of the
service itself — that’s why it may be that when description
is more prevalent in the media, other art forms and venues
will follow suit.
Ultimately, in this tremendously prosperous nation, with

all of its bountiful resources, there shouldn’t be a state in
this nation or a television network or a cable channel or a
movie theater that doesn’t offer full access.
For additional information on AD and museums, 60

VISIT: 11/22/09
This ends Session One of
Please post any thoughts or questions on the

Message Board and proceed to
Lesson Two.
11/22/09
Session Two
of
11/22/09
Who are "the blind"?
They are not "the blind." They are individuals --

housewives, scientists, artists, business people ...
maybe you or me, sometime.
That must be emphasized: our individuality, the

individuality of folks dealing with some kind of sight
loss.
And most blind people are not blind -- most at one point
had all or some of their sight and now they may have
low vision, impaired vision, residual vision, partial
vision . Some see shapes and only shapes -- shadows,
blurs, blobs -- or have "tunnel vision."
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The following images illustrate how a person’s
vision is affected by several vision-related
conditions --
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Myopia
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Hyperopia
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Macular Degeneration
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Glaucoma
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Strabismus
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Astigmatism
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Cataract
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Retinal Detachment
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Folks who have low vision or no vision and who
generally use other senses/capabilities to perceive
the world. And they are people with a wide range of
ABILITIES –
blind skiers,
blind photographers,
blind visual artists,
blind bowlers,
blind restauranteurs,
And blindness need not rob anyone of his or her

sense of humor! Have you heard the one about
Stevie Wonder challenging Tiger Woods to a golf
game? Or the story of the blind airline pilot? Both
told to me by blind friends … 73
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STEVIE AND TIGER
Stevie Wonder and Tiger Woods are in a bar. Woods turns to
Wonder and says: "How is the singing career going?"
Stevie Wonder replies: "Not too bad! How's the golf?" Woods
replies: "Not too bad, I've had some problems with my swing, but
I think I've got that right now."
Stevie Wonder says: "I always find that when my swing goes
wrong, I need to stop playing for a while and not think about it.
Then, the next time I play, it seems to be all right.”
Tiger Woods says: "You play golf?"
Stevie Wonder says: "Oh, yes, I've been playing for years."
“I get my caddy to stand in the middle of the fairway and call to

me. I listen for the sound of his voice and play the ball towards
him. Then, when I get to where the ball lands, the caddy moves
to the green or farther down the fairway and again I play the ball
towards his voice.”
Woods, incredulous, says to Stevie: "We've got to play a round
sometime. When would you like to play?"
Stevie says, “Pick a night.”
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The Blind Pilot
I was flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles. By the time we took off, there had been a 45
-minute delay and everybody on board was ticked.
Unexpectedly, we stopped in Sacramento on the way. The flight attendant explained that there
would be another 45 -minute delay, and if we wanted to get off the aircraft, we would reboard in
30 minutes.
Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman who was blind.
I noticed him as I walked by and could tell he had flown before because his Seeing Eye dog lay
quietly underneath the seats in front of him throughout the entire flight. I could also tell he had
flown this very flight before because the pilot approached him and, calling him by name, said,
"Keith,
we're in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?”
Keith replied, "No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs."
Picture this: All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up
and saw the pilot walk off the plane with the Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing
sunglasses.
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Now let’s allow a very young Russell
Crowe and Hugo Weaving provide a
chuckle or two courtesy of the savvy
blind character in the Australian film
PROOF.
Following this excerpt, share your

thoughts on the MESSAGE BOARD.
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The person that confronted the gentleman in the
museum is the individual with the “disability.” I call it
“attitude impairment,” or “hardening of the
attitudes” (attitudinal sclerosis).
We all need to acknowledge that our attitudes—built

up over time like plaque in the veins and aortas of our
psyche—can cloud our perceptions when we
encounter someone who perceives the world
differently. Generally, a person who is accustomed
to living with no or low vision views his/her situation
as less about the loss of sight and more about
perceiving the world in new ways--ways which are
not dependent on images and vision. 77
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Can sight be a liability?
The fourth tale, "To See and

Not See," is about partially
restored sight and how it was
not a blessing. This sad story
illustrates how sight is
learned from infancy and is
largely a constructive and
interpretive function of the
brain. This tale also lets us
see how the world of the
sightless can be rich and
fulfilling beyond our
imagination.
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Still, many people have never met a person
who is blind. He/she is
A PERSON first—with low or no vision and a

wide range of abilities.
Strive to “See the person not the disability.”
And keep in mind a few things that may

help:
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Finally, it’s so important to remember that there's only a thin line
between "ability" and "disability" – let’s rid ourselves of any
semblance of “able-ism”, any sense of separateness between those
who can see and those who cannot. “To be able" is a relative
condition ‑‑ the great majority of Americans are only “Temporarily
Able‑Bodied" (TABs) anyway!
One moment Christopher Reeve was “able-bodied”—the next minute,

he wasn’t. But he was still Christopher Reeve.
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This ends Session Two of
Please go to the websites noted below

and post any thoughts or questions
on the Message Board:
11/22/09
Session Three
of
11/22/09
Speaking of “supermen” …
In providing AD, we establish a foundation of respect

for all individuals, and their individuality, and learn to
appreciate their abilities.
That starts with our own skills and abilities. When we

come to terms with, even embrace our own situations,
find and nurture our abilities, we can accomplish
things that seem amazing ... we are/we can be as
supermen just by developing our own capacities.
For describers, we start with our sense of sight and the

first of four fundamentals of audio description—
OBSERVATION 91
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Four Fundamentals of Audio
Description
 OBSERVATION – “You can see a lot
just by lookin’.” Yogi Berra
 EDITING – What is most critical to an understanding

and an appreciation of the visual image?
 LANGUAGE – “less is more”

clarity – imagination – objectivity
 VOCAL SKILLS – speech – oral interpretation
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I recall being simply amazed when I first
encountered Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant
detective, Sherlock Holmes. Brilliant ... and
incredibly observant.
In developing AD in any context, I emphasize four

elements – the first of which is all about the skill
that Sherlock Holmes honed:
1) OBSERVATION The great philosopher Yogi Berra

said it best: "You can see a lot just by looking."
An effective describer must increase his level of

awareness and become an active "see-er," develop
his "visual literacy," notice the visual world with a
heightened sense of acuity, and share those
images. 93
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Helen Keller understood the power of observation:
“Those who have never suffered

impairment of sight or hearing
seldom make the fullest use of
these blessed faculties … their
eyes and ears take in all sights
and sounds hazily, without
concentration and with little
appreciation.”
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Describers must see what others do
not—this is the skill that Sherlock
Holmes honed. Holmes, of course,
was the creation of Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle—Dr. Doyle. Doyle patterned
his famous detective on his mentor
in medical school, a Dr. Bell. Dr.
Bell knew that careful observation
would greatly facilitate accurate
diagnoses.
Watch these two excerpts from “The

Origins of Sherlock Holmes”:
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As describers, we must:
“Seize what we see.”

John Ruskin
We must:
“See with exactitude.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Look at the next three images—
What do you see?
Please your answers on

the Message Board.
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Next -- EDITING
Description
 OBSERVATION – “You can see a lot just by
lookin’.” Yogi Berra
 EDITING – What is most critical to an

understanding and an appreciation of
the visual image?

 VOCAL SKILLS – speech – oral interpretation 101

11/22/09
2) EDITING Next, describers must edit or cull from
what they see, selecting what is most valid, what is
most important.
Ask yourself:
“What is most critical to an understanding

(he points to his head)
and appreciation
(his hand is on his heart)
of that visual image?”
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This concept is captured in a
quotation by a former Associate
Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:
“The great struggle of art is

to leave out all but the
essential.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes

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We see far more than we could possibly describe in words,
particularly when we are limited by time constraints.
At times, those strictures amount to literally a split second.
Thus, describing becomes, in part, about deciding

what not to describe.
In any event—less is more.

By limiting our focus, we’re able to emphasize essence—
strip away all that is unnecessary or distracting.
That notion seems to be conveyed in the following ad:
104
11/22/09
105
11/22/09
In addition, editing choices are made
based on an understanding of
blindness and low vision:
‑ going from the general to the

specific;
- use of color—YES, even people

who are congenitally blind
appreciate references to color;
- inclusion of directional information.

106
11/22/09
What is most
critical to an
Understanding
and an
Appreciation
of the image
on the right?
Post your
thoughts on the
Message Board. 107
11/22/09
This ends Session Three of
Audio Description: The Visual Made
Verbal

Session Four
of
11/22/09
Description


 VOCAL SKILLS – speech – oral interpretation
110
11/22/09

3) LANGUAGE
We transfer it all to words--objective, vivid, specific,

imaginatively drawn words, phrases, and
metaphors.
How many different words can you use to describe

someone moving along a sidewalk? Why say
"walk" when you can more vividly describe the
action with "sashay," "stroll," "skip," "stumble," or
"saunter"?
Become a walking thesaurus!
111
11/22/09
But good describers also strive for simplicity,
succinctness ‑ "less is more."
“I have only made this letter

longer because I have not
had the time
to make it shorter.”
Blaise Pascal
112
11/22/09
It's critical to maintain a degree of objectivity—
describers sum it up with the acronym –
W. Y. S. I. W. Y. S.
113
11/22/09
“WHAT YOU SEE IS
WHAT YOU SAY”
114
11/22/09
The best audio describers objectively recount the
visual aspects of an image.
Qualitative judgments get in the way ‑‑ they

constitute a subjective interpretation on the part of
the describer and are unnecessary and unwanted.
Let listeners conjure their own interpretations

based on a commentary that is as objective as
possible.
115
11/22/09
So you don't say
"He is furious" or "She is upset.“
Rather,
"He's clenching his fist" or "She is crying.“
Let the audience make their own judgments!
Perhaps their eyes don't work so well,

but their brains and interpretative skills are intact.
116
11/22/09
Always remember—
“We don’t see things as they

are, we see them as we are.”
Anais Nin
117
11/22/09
Or put another way—
“What we see depends on

the history of our lives and
where we stand.”
Walter Lippman
118
11/22/09
Because the image is created in the minds of our
constituents, avoid labeling with overly subjective
interpretations and let our visitors conjure their own
images and interpretations, as free as possible from the
influence of coloring.
As Nin and Lippman observed, there is no specific,

objective thing.
Indeed, “labeling” – “naming” is not describing.

Labels lead us to pigeon-hole and we tend to then
dismiss the thing we see.
We do well to follow Paul Valery’s advice:

119
11/22/09
“Seeing is forgetting the
name of what one sees.”
Paul Valery
120
11/22/09
Is the Washington
Monument 555 feet tall or
is it as high as fifty
elephants stacked one on
top of the other?
Post your thoughts and

questions on the Message
Board.
121
11/22/09
We try to convey our descriptions with a kind of
“inner vision” that results in a linguistically vivid
evocation of the scene being viewed.
In other words, there aren’t any elephants there —

but you may evoke them in order to convey a
particular image — (the height of the Washington
Monument!).
BECAUSE …
122
11/22/09
“Vision is the art of seeing
things invisible.”
Jonathan Swift
and …
123
11/22/09
“You cannot depend on your
eyes
when your imagination
is out of focus.”
Mark Twain
124
11/22/09
Which suggests a question:
Does vision
depend on
sight?
125
11/22/09
Audio Description — by the blind, for those who cannot see [Anonymous]
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his
bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s
only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their
involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the
man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all
the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour
periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world
outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children
sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow.
Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room
would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man
couldn’t hear the band, he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it
with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the
man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital
attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could
be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was
comfortable, she left him alone.
Post your lowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally,
he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside
thoughts on the bed. It faced a blank wall.
the Message The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such
Board. wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not
even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”
126
[J.S. — The man who was blind had tremendous vision. It allowed him to describe with a clarity and
vividness that we as audio describers can only hope to achieve.] 11/22/09
Check out the following article from BBC News,
March 19, 2001:
“Imaginary Art Show Opens”
“A new art show called The Exhibition To Be

Constructed In Your Head is relying on the power of
the imagination to create its artworks. “
Go to the following URL for the rest of the story:
Post your thoughts on the Message Board. 127

11/22/09
Description


 VOCAL SKILLS – speech

– oral interpretation
128
11/22/09
4) VOCAL SKILLS
Finally, in addition to building a verbal capability,

the describer develops the vocal instrument
through work with speech and
oral interpretation fundamentals.
We make meaning with our voices!
129
11/22/09
Say the phrase on the next slide aloud …
If you agree with its sentiments, I suspect that

you few female friends.
If you don’t, say the same words aloud—don’t

change their order—and with your voice alone,
change the meaning so you convey a sense
that is quite the opposite of the “original.”
130
11/22/09
WOMAN WITHOUT
HER MAN IS
A SAVAGE
131
11/22/09
GOT IT?
The wonders of punctuation—it allows us

to make visible what I hope you were able
to accomplish with your voice alone.
Here goes …
132
11/22/09
WOMAN:
WITHOUT HER,
MAN IS A
SAVAGE.
133
11/22/09
Let’s try one more—
Now all I want you to do is speak aloud the

phrase on the following slide and have it …
MAKE SENSE!
134
11/22/09
THAT THAT IS
IS THAT THAT IS
NOT IS NOT
135
11/22/09
I’ll not have torture your tongues
(and your brains)
a moment longer:
136
11/22/09
THAT THAT IS, IS;
THAT THAT IS NOT,
IS NOT.
137
11/22/09
SUMMARY
Effective describers must learn to—
1) "re-see" the world around us‑‑to truly

notice what it is perceived with the eyes
(OBSERVATION); and then
2) express the pertinent aspects of those images

(EDITING);
3) with precise and imaginative language

(LANGUAGE); and
4) vocal techniques –
that render the visual verbal! 138

11/22/09
This ends Session Four of
Verbal

Session Five
of
11/22/09
Let’s try it—
Take five minutes to study each of the three following

Images (15 minutes total). Note—
- all that there is to see,

- consider what’s most critical to convey, and then
- focus on the words you’d use to convey those
images most clearly, succinctly, and imaginatively.
Afterwards, record your thoughts in each area on the

MESSAGE BOARD.
141
11/22/09
SLIDE #1
142
11/22/09
SLIDE #2
143
11/22/09
SLIDE #3
144
11/22/09
The following slides reveal the descriptions
that I crafted of these photos by Billy Howard of Atlanta.
My work was for a celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the
Passage of the Americans for Disabilities Act.
I also had available to me the “back story”

for each of the three individuals pictured.
In that context, read the descriptions and other information

on the following slides.
How do my descriptions relate to your notes regarding
- what you see,
- what's most critical to describe
(now, given some important context), and
- the language used.
Post your thoughts on the Message Board.

SLIDE #1
Kate Gainer
Disability Affairs Coordinator, City of Atlanta
Photo of a black woman, mouth open in a broad

smile, nose crinkles, as if to flirt with the camera.
Her cheeks shine echoing lights suspended behind
her; she twists toward us, seated in a power chair
facing right — on its side, a round decal reads
“ADAPT — We Will Ride.”
146
11/22/09
Kate Gainer was one of 18 students to attend
Atlanta’s first special education class for black
children. It was an empowering experience for a
black child growing up in a Southern segregated
city. She says the most frustrating thing she went
through as a teenager with cerebral palsy was that
she couldn’t “strut” like the other girls could.
“If I ever write my autobiography, I’m going to title
it: ‘I was born colored and crippled but now I’m
black and disabled’.”
147
11/22/09
SLIDE #2
Al Mead
Paralympic Medalist, Track and Field
Photo of a black man, in profile, facing left, he

stretches his body into the shape of an upper-case
T — his left arm, sinewy, sculpted, extends left —
dark skin against a white tank top; his right leg and
arm point right while he balances on his left leg, a
prosthetic nestled within a running shoe.
148
11/22/09
As a youngster, Al Mead lost his left leg above the knee
due to circulatory problems. Meda has grown into the
quintessential Paralympic athlete -- he holds a U.S. high
jump record at 1.73 meters. He set the world record for
the long jump with a gold medal performance in the
1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul, Korea.
“I grew up in a Christian home so when I was told that
my leg would be amputated, it didn’t really affect me
like you think it would, because I thought God would
grow it back.”
149
11/22/09
SLIDE #3
Lauren McDevitt
Paralympic Medalist, Equestrian
Backlit, and in wispy silhouette, a photo of a white

girl in her teens in profile, facing right — only
inches away, a horse (his head, the size of her
torso) nuzzles her open hand in her lap as she rests
in a wheelchair.
150
11/22/09
Lauren McDevitt was ten when she experienced a
muscle cramp in her thigh. She went to the school
nurse to lay down. Within an hour, she lost all feeling
and movement from her waist down. It has stayed that
way. Now in her mid-twenties, she is working on a
master’s degree in therapeutic recreation. She
captured a bronze medal at the 1996 Paralympic
Games in dressage, a test of ability of ride and horse
to communicate and work together through a series of
complex moves.
“Riding a horse is something that gives me an
immense freedom. In a [wheel]chair, you have a lot of
barriers on the ground. But you get on a horse and
none of those barriers are there. The horses are your
legs for you. And they know that.”
151
11/22/09
The following three images come from my home town
—Washington, DC.
In the last year of the Clinton administration, I began

developing an audio described tour of the White
House. Those plans were disbanded after 9/11—there
is no longer a self-guided tour of the White House.
But the Obama administration may find a way to have

me pick up where I left off—and you can help!
Write 100-word (give or take) descriptions of each of

the next three images. Remember—start with the
general and move to the specific; don’t forget our AD
Fundamentals.
Post your descriptions on the Message Board for 152

discussion and feedback. 11/22/09
The East Room
153
11/22/09
The Oval Office
154
11/22/09
Dolley Madison
155
11/22/09
The next four slides are visual “jokes”. But if you
can’t see, you won’t find them very funny.
Your job is to make them funny for an audience who

is depending on your words—and your delivery—
to create the comic effect.
How will you structure your phrases to accomplish

that? In voicing your descriptions, how will you use
certain inflections, volume, pitch to convey your
meaning?!
Write 100-word (give or take) descriptions of each of

the next four images.
Post your descriptions on the Message Board for

discussion and feedback. 156
11/22/09
“What’s up?”
157
11/22/09
“Flash!”
158
11/22/09
“My!”
159
11/22/09
160
11/22/09
Not too long ago, I developed an audio described
tour for Washington, DC’s International Spy
Museum.
Let’s observe two stations on that tour and take

time to develop descriptions for them in the same
format we’ve been using.
Post them on the Message Board and we’ll review

them.
161
11/22/09
162
11/22/09
163
11/22/09
How did you do?
The next few slides provide the transcript

for the actual descriptions provided at the
International Spy Museum.
Bug Desk
Now, to the right, is a desk about three feet wide and

two feet deep. A text panel warns us to “Shh!
Someone’s listening! Spy agencies have developed
scores of ingenious devices to eavesdrop on enemy
conversations.”
On the desk is a display of eavesdropping devices—tiny

microphone-transmitter combinations may be concealed
almost anywhere—hidden in a cigarette lighter and
telephone mouthpiece. Each item is cutaway so you
can feel the bugs. They are at the top of the desk: the
lighter is at 11:00 and the phone at 1:00.
(Continued …)
165
11/22/09
Just above and behind the phone, within a bookshelf, is a
framed picture of former Secretary of State Madeline
Albright. Reach forward and examine the frame—notice
anything out of the ordinary?
On the shelf above the one with the picture frame is a

row of books—with unusual binding. And to the left of
these shelves, jutting out from the wall, is power outlet
adaptor. How does it differ from one you might find in
your own home?
A skilled agent selects the right device to suit a particular

place or to pick up certain sounds. With digital
technology, modern bugs are more compact than ever,
often as thin as a human hair!
166
11/22/09
Mata Hari
At the end of the hallway is a life-size black-and-white
photo portrait of Mata Hari. Her dark-haired is topped
with a bejeweled tiara and she is costumed exotically:
fabric drapes her left shoulder and her right arm is
raised with her hand at her tiara; her top is bare save
for jewel-encrusted arm and wrist bands and
brassiere. Her midriff is exposed and the lower
portion of her body is swathed in additional folds of
fabric.
A placard tells us that she was a “Legend in Her Own

Mind--Mata Hari embodied all the romance of
espionage. This exotic dancer turned World War I spy
supposedly seduced diplomats and military officers
into giving up their secrets. But history shows that
most of her exploits took place only in her 167
imagination.” 11/22/09
Graphic Images—read this slide and the next!
But maybe we’ve tackled too much—these are complex images
Let’s take a breath and focus on simple geometric shapes—

a breeze!
Please contact me at: jsnyder@audiodescribe.com

(click the link below).
I will email you an image. Please post
your consise description on the Message Board
(remember—don't name or label the image).
With pen and paper (or, perhaps, a drawing program),

each of you should try to reproduce the image
based on the descriptions others have posted.
Scan your images onto the Message Board—it'll be fun! 168
11/22/09
But before we let the games begin, consider
(and take to heart!) Williams Ivins’ words:
“The moment anyone tries to seriously

describe an object carefully and accurately in
words his attempt takes the form of an
interminably long and prolix rigamarole that few
persons have the patience or the intelligence,
to understand. A serious attempt to describe
even the most simple piece of machinery … a
kitchen can opener … results in a morass of
words, and yet the shape of that can opener is
simplicity itself compared to the shape of a
human hand or face.”
- William M. Ivins, “Prints & Visual Communication”11/22/09
169
Come Blow Your Horn
As a screening mechanism designed to cull applicants

for positions as a full-time media describer, I would
have applicants view the next image and describe it
in 25 words or less.
You try it—post your description on the Message Board.
After you've done so, take a look at the following slide--

a variety of the descriptions
submitted by prospective describers over the years.
170
11/22/09
171
11/22/09
“A robed figure on a beige building holds a
trumpet under a lightning streaked sky.”
“Looking upward, a sculpted figure playing a
long trumpet emerges against a lightning filled
sky.”
“Looking skyward, lightening [sic] illuminates
stone building’s massive sculpted façade of
person, flowing robes, blowing horn.”
“An angelic statue, complete with robes and
wings, plays a trumpet against a stormy sky.”
“Lightening [sic] bolts streak across the sky. A
prominent building features a statue blowing a
horn.”
“Pale stone building façade in relief, angel
blowing trumpet, viwed from ground toward a
stormy sky.”
“Looking skyward up the wall; lightening-pierced
[sic]
night illuminates bas relief angel playing ancient
trumpet.”
“We are at the base of a gargoyle-carved building
under a stormy sky.”
172
11/22/09
This ends Session Five of
Verbal

Session Six
of
11/22/09
Video Excerpts for Audio Description analysis / practica--
Please study the excerpt noted below from “The Empire

Strikes Back”.
Prepare an AD script for the excerpt preceding--
- the verbal or sound cues for your AD lines with elippses:

…
and
- your AD lines with “double carrots”: >>
Remember: Time your AD lines so that, generally, when

spoken aloud the lines stay within the pauses between
elements of the original soundtrack (dialogue or critical
sounds). Post your script on the Message Board.
After you've written your script, feel free to view the same excerpt 175
11/22/09
with the description written by me for national broadcast.
This ends Session Six of
Verbal

Session Seven
of
11/22/09
Please study the excerpt noted below from “Mystery”.
Prepare an AD script for the excerpt preceding--
- the verbal or sound cues for your AD lines with elipses:

…
and

After you've written your script, feel free to view the same excerpt
with the description written by WGBH for national broadcast. 178
11/22/09
This ends Session Seven of
Verbal

Session Eight
of
11/22/09
Please study the excerpt noted below from “Wings”.
Prepare an AD script for the excerpt preceding --
- the verbal or sound cues for your AD lines with elipses: …
and

After you've written your script, enjoy the description written by for the
IMAX film “Blue Planet,” as presented at the National Air & Space 181
Museum. 11/22/09
This ends Session Eight of
Verbal

Session Nine
of
11/22/09
Please study the excerpt noted below from “Ned's

Declassified”.
and

After you've written your script, view the description written for “Ned's”184
11/22/09
by me for national broadcast.
This ends Session Nine of
Verbal

Session Ten
of
11/22/09
Please study the excerpt noted below from “Pretty Woman”.
and

After you've written your script, view the description written for “Pretty
Woman” by WGBH and a British version by the RNIB! 187
11/22/09
This ends Session Ten of
Verbal

Session Eleven
of
11/22/09
Please study the excerpt noted below from “The Miracle

Worker”.
and

After you've written your script, view the description written for “The 190
11/22/09
Miracle Worker” by yours truly for the newly released DVD.
This ends Session Eleven of
Verbal

Session Twelve
of
11/22/09
Session Twelve / Final Exam
The final exam involves the development of and the written

and recorded delivery of an audio description script for a
half-hour video of your choosing (subject to prior review
and approval by the instructor—just send me a note at:
jsnyder@audiodescribe.com).
Prepare an AD script for your show preceding --
and
THEN – record your AD with the original soundtrack in the

background. 193
11/25/09
Session Twelve / Final Exam
As always, time your AD lines so that, generally, when

sounds). Post your script and your recorded audio and/or
video (via a link to YouTube) on the Message Board.
Good luck—and congratulations on making it this far!!!
After you're finished, for your “bonus viewing enjoyment,” take

a look at my described excerpts from the new DVD “Phoenix
Dance” and an episode of “Sesame Street.”
194
11/25/09

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COURSE OVERVIEW

AUDIO DESCRIPTION: THE VISUAL MADE VERBAL

Instructor: Joel Snyder, President, Audio

Audio Description (AD) makes the visual images

OBSERVATION We learn to see the world anew. In

Audio describers must

We transfer it all to words—objective, vivid,

Why say "walk" why you can more vividly describe

Finally, in addition to building a verbal capability, the

Try the next thirteen tongue twisters just for fun.

Maybe Marvin meant much

With stoutest wrists and loudest boasts,

He thrusts his fists against the posts,

And still insists he sees the ghosts.

To talk ere the tot could totter,

Ought the Hottentot tot be taught to say

Or, what ought to be taught her?

Be taught by a Hottentot tutor,

Should the tutor get hot if the Hottentot tot

Hoot and toot at the Hottentot tutor?

in a proper copper coffee cup.

whether the weather be hot,

We’ll be together whatever the weather,

whether we like it or not.

-- 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

Who are "the blind"?;

The history of Audio Description.

For private study and discussion on Message

Active Seeing / Visual Literacy;

The art of "editing" what you see;

Using language to conjure images;

Using Audio Description in:

For private study and discussion on Message

Audio description practica

For private study and discussion on Message Board

Audio description practica

For private study and discussion on Message Board

Audio description practica

For private study and discussion on Message

Audio description practica;

Presentation of final exams.

For private study and discussion on Message

The final exam will involve the development of and

with Joel Snyder

Audio Description: The Visual Made Verbal

“The Fan” by John McPherson

On a stage – at left, a woman in a flowing gown, her

In the first panel, Red, a red-haired eight-year-old boy, is

Audio Description is a kind of

You’ll find AD these days

Audio Description or AD was first developed in the U.S. It was

A picture is worth 1000

Excerpt from “The Color of Paradise,”

- first, without description -- no video

GO TO THE MESSAGE BOARD AFTER

Refer to annotated script 41

In the United States, in areas where a television

But the Digital Age is fast upon us and other countries

“We watch Sesame Street almost everyday … The