Audio Description Training and Education Resources

Audio Description Narration - Nuance and Performance

The October 20th class is sold out, so Roy has scheduled an additional class on October 23rd 2pm to 5pm Pacific time (5pm to 8pm eastern time).   SORRY, this one is now sold out also.  Contact Roy about your interest in any additional class.

• Practice to picture and audio with scripts on screenshare on Zoom - please plan on using headphones.
• Class size is limited to 8 participants.
• We'll have experienced advisors guiding us.
• Additional donations go to Audio Description Project.
• Email roysamuelson@hey.com for further details.

Roy Samuelson has over 700 blockbuster films and well-known series of audio description narration.  With over 50 interviews with decision makers in audio description, Roy brings a unique and practical approach to audio description voicing - and how to focus on our audiences' immersion in the story.

Note:  This training session is not sponsored by the ACB or the Audio Description Project.

Audio Description Institute (ADI)

ADI is held annually at the ACB's Annual Conference in JULY each year, plus several other times throughout the year.  The class is taught by Dr. Joel Snyder.

The last class was held February 22-24 in Alexandria, Virginia, in conjunction with the mid-year ACB Meeting.  Read the ADI Brochure for more information [reference only, now].

The next class is TBD, due to COVID-19, but most likely in February 2021.

The following information is generic and applies to all of the ADI training programs:

Topics:

1) audio description history and theory
2) the "Four Fundamentals of Audio Description" ©
3) active seeing/visual literacy-developing skills in concentration and observation
4) the art of "editing" what you see
5) vivid language: "The Visual Made Verbal"™
6) "Speak the speech, I pray you"--using the spoken word to make meaning

Program:

- Three full days of intensive, interactive training
- Last day luncheon will be provided
- Registration for the ACB Conference and Convention are included
- Registration for the ADP Conference is available at a discounted rate

Graduates of the February 2017 ADI Class in Virginia

Developing Audio Description Skills
(or a related topic)

This training is held annually at the LEAD Conference, which is generally held in August.  The mission of the conference is "to explore practical methods for implementing accessibility in cultural environments [and] share resources and knowledge, develop best practices, and experience accessibility in action."

The next conference would have been August 3-7, 2020 in Raleigh, NC, but it has been postponed due to COVID-19.  You can track rescheduling plans at the Lead Conference Web Site.

The first two days of the Conference are called Capacity Building Workshops, and a typical class (not necessarily taught in any given year) would be entitled An Introduction to Developing Audio Description Skills.

This full day interactive workshop will introduce the foundation of audio description, the “3 Core Skills” and its application to live performance and exhibit/museum disciplines. Attendees will experience the practical application of the core skills through participatory exercises, lectures, and demonstrations in a shared setting. This workshop is recommended for those both new to audio description, as well as those looking to refresh and expand their basic skills.

A second workshop is often held on a different AD topic.  Example:  Adapting Audio Description to New Technology.

For reference, in 2019 the following workshop was offered:

Back to the Future: Adapting Audio Description to New Technology
Saturday August 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration Fee: $200
New technology affects every part of our lives, including the process, production, and delivery of audio description. How do new apps, tools, and approaches impact the way that description is developed? This 8-hour workshop will cover different techniques for crafting audio description for different platforms in cultural arts environments, and provide opportunities to explore new methods of description.

In addition, many full sessions (included in regular Conference fee) cover or include audio description.  Examples from 2019:

• Audio Description Revealed
• Audio Description As a Learning Tool For Young Children
• Deep Dive:  Diversifying Audio Describers
• 2020 Call to Action Plan:  Captioning & Audio Description Available at Every Performance
• UniD:  Creating and Audio Description Platform and Opportunities for Print Materials With Partners

Note: the LEAD Conference and its Audio Description training is not sponsored by the ACB or the Audio Description Project.

Audio Describer Training in Raleigh/Durham/RTP Area of NC

Arts Access Inc. of Raleigh, NC, holds audio describer training annually and will conduct special classes for groups, including travelling to their location, if requested.  Participants will learn:

• How to articulate visual details effectively and in the moment.
• How to enhance the theater and gallery experience through audio description for an audience of those who are blind or have low vision.
• Tips for bringing audio description to your own organization.

The next class will probably be in January 2021.  (The last class was Thursday, January 16th - Friday, January 17th, 2020, at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC.  Cost:  $425.) 

More Information.  You may also email Betsy Ludwig; or call Arts Access at 919-833-9919.

Note:  This training program is not sponsored by the ACB or the Audio Description Project.

Audio Description Training Retreats in NC

Audio Description Training Retreats offers lake-side training in North Carolina.  Their all-inclusive price for retreats covers 4 nights lodging in a waterfront home on Lake James, meals, and 20 hours of formal classes plus materials. A discount is available for students willing to share a room.  Retreats are limited to 8 participants to ensure ample practice time and feedback.

For the foreseeable future, the classes will be conducted virtually.  Three such classes have been held since July 2020.  These are 4-day events, with 5 hours of training each day via ZOOM.  Interested people can email us for details about subsequent Level 1 classes.  We will continue to limit our class size to 8 participants.  We plan to offer a Level 2 virtual class in the fall, with dates TBD later.  Write if interested.

REFERENCE ONLY:  Class Brochure:  ADTR Sep 24.

The two instructors are Jan, an audio describer, and Colleen, a consumer of audio description.  Colleen’s guide dog, Joplin, will also attend.

[Not currently applicable, but included for future reference ...]  Transportation to and from the Charlotte, NC (CLT) airport is included, with arrival Thursday afternoon and departure Monday morning.  There are 20 hours of formal classes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including generous practice time during classes, with informal learning and networking after hours.  Hiking, kayaking, swimming and a boat tour of the lake are offered each afternoon.

Visit the Audio Description Training Retreats website and/or contact Jan and Colleen for more information at adtrainingretreats@gmail.com.  Listen to a podcast which includes a discussion of how the company came into being and opportunities for blind consumers to help create and record audio description.

Note:  The Training Retreat is not sponsored by the ACB or the Audio Description Project.

Access Virginia

Access Virginia in Newport News also provides training for audio describers.  They will publish information here the next time it is offered.  In the meantime, you can contact them at accessvirginia@gmail.com.

Note:  This training program is not sponsored by the ACB or the Audio Description Project.