Audio description for persons with sight loss

Timetable

Thursdays, 11.30-13.00; room 368; Collegium Heliodori Święcicki, ul. Grunwaldzka 6, Poznań

Please note that the course starts on 19.10.

If possible, bring your own laptop and headphones.

Module aim (aims)

Audio description (AD) is a method of making (audio)visual media accessible to persons with blindness and low vision. During the course we will define AD both as a process and product and discuss the needs and expectations of its target audience. We will review the main AD types (for film, theatre, museum, sports, etc.), and then zoom in on film AD by discussing its main components: spatio-temporal settings, characters, cultural references and film language. Throughout the course students will be working on developing the skills of creating an AD at the basic level. 

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Good command of English and a keen interest in accessibility issues. 

Syllabus

Week 1: Defining AD as process and product; discussion of the needs and expectations of AD users 

Week 2: Discussion of AD types (AD for film, theatre, museum, sports, etc.) 

Week 3: Discussion of the main AD components: spatio-temporal settings

Week 4: Discussion of the main AD components: characters 

Week 5: Discussion of the main AD components: cultural references 

Week 6: Discussion of the main AD components: film language 

Week 7: AD project

Reading list

Fryer, L. (2016). An introduction to audio description: A practical guide. London: Routledge. 

Remael, A., Reviers, N., & Vercauteren, G. (Eds). (2015). Pictures painted in words. ADLAB audio description guidelines. Trieste: EUT. Available online: http://www.adlabproject.eu/Docs/adlab%20book/index.html 

Romero-Fresco, P. (2019) Accessible filmmaking. London: Routledge 

Taylor, C., & Perego, E. (2022). The Routledge handbook of audio description. Abington, Oxon / New York: Routledge.