This is an ADLAB PRO video.
ADLAB PRO is a project funded by the European Union.
This video is made available to you on a Creative Commons licence.
Hello. I’m Louise Fryer, from Utopian Voices.
In this ADLAB PRO video I will explain
what you need to know about audio introductions for live events.
This is Unit 9 in Module 3.
An audio introduction, an AI, is “a continuous piece of prose,
spoken by a single voice or a combination of voices
lasting between 5 and 15 minutes.” It is hosted on the theatre
or AD Provider’s website as a document or an audio file.
An AI creates a framework by which to understand the piece.
It gives detailed descriptions of the set, costumes and characters,
background information from the printed programme
and prepares the user for the AD by providing a fuller description
of certain elements than is possible during the show itself.
For live events give pre-show information
and pre-visit information.
Pre-show information supports the AD.
Pre-visit information supports the visit to the venue
by people with sight loss.
Venue information might include basic things such as the address,
post code and telephone number, public transport links,
information about accessible toilets and refreshment facilities.
Include the Access information such as guide dog policy
can you take your dog into the auditorium?
Is assistance available, where do you collect your headset?
The pre-visit information is ordered following the logic of a visit:
From how to get to the venue via what to expect when you arrive,
physical details, and what to do, where to pick up your AD headset.
For Pre-show information create the world of the piece.
Where ans when it happens. How many dancers or actors?
What do they look like? How do they move?
Tell us about the designer or director’s vision, the visual style.
Descriptive information about characters and costumes
is more easily remembered if it’s threaded
through a loose telling of the plot especially if characters
are associated with particular locations.
Start with the big picture and move from the general to the specific.
There is a cast of 30, of whom 8 are named characters.
Things to Consider: Do you start with the set or the characters?
How do you order the characters? By order of importance?
By order of appearance?
Give a more detailed description of more important characters.
Do you include “surprise” characters?
Be guided by the printed programme.
Include what each scene looks like, aim to convey a general impression,
rather than itemise every detail. How is the set changed?
By stage hands, members of the cast, “automatically”
or is it all in the audience’s imagination?
The AI is written to support the AD.
Maintain consistant terminology for people and places.
Is common for a description of a live event
to be delivered by two describers.
The AI is written collaboratively by both.
Often a third person perhaps an editor feeds back on the AI,
ideally someone who has not seen the show.
The Pre-show information should last a maximum of 15 minutes.
A shortened version is given live immediately before the show starts.
The pre-visit information, 3 minutes max,
can be dropped in the live version.
The abbreviated notes are given live for any people with sight loss
who didn’t book in advance. They are a useful reminder
for all AD users and can accommodate any last minute changes
such as a cast replacement.
This was a video about audio introductions.
Unit 9 of Module 3 with me Louise Fryer.
I hope you found it useful.
The preparation of this presentation
was supported by ADLAB PRO. Audio Description:
A Laboratory for the Development of a New Professional Profile
financed by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme,
Key Action 2, Strategic Partnerships.
Project number:
2016-1-IT02-KA203-024311.
The information and views set out in this presentation
are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the official opinion of the European Union.
Neither the European Union institutions and bodies
nor any person acting on their behalf
may be held responsible for the use
which may be made of the information contained therein.
This was an ADLAB PRO video.
ADLAB PRO partners are: University of Trieste,
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,
University of Antwerp, Adam Mickiewicz University,
RTV Slovenia, Utopian Voices,
Soundfocus and Royal National Institute of Blind People.
ADLAB PRO was funded by the European Union.
This video was made available to you on a Creative Commons licence.