Best Practices for Post-Production and Emerging Forms of Audio Description Robert Pearson Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) March 19 th, 2014 8:00am Old Town A
Agenda 1. Overview 2. Background and Experience 3. Financial Model 4. Described Video (DV) and Roadmap 5. Post-Production DV Best Practices 6. Live DV Best Practices 7. Embedded, Multilingual and Digital
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) Make accessible media for all Canadians Overview
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) AMI-audio; news and information with local and original programs AMI-tv; open described, closed captioned TV AMI-tv Français; in French AMI.ca http://www.ami.ca/ DV Guide http://www.ami.ca/dvguide/
Making Television Accessible to Everyone: The Canadian Experience Most studies show that blind and visually impaired persons watch TV as much as sighted persons. This G3ict White Paper Business Case Series, published by G3ict in June 2013, is researched in cooperation with Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) http://g3ict.org/resource_center/publication s_and_reports/p/productcategory_studies/s ubcat_13/id_287
AMI-tv The worlds first and only open described, closed captioned digital TV service Available with basic digital package at no additional cost Broadcasts popular movies and TV series (Canadian and American) with open description and closed captioning
AMI-tv Broadcast Simulcast and describe live major events and popular programs such as the Royal Wedding, a Canadian reality show, Toronto Blue Jays Baseball and the Paralympics Produce and broadcast original content Blind and low vision reporters offering a unique perspective with relevant content through a positive portrayal
Financial Model Per subscriber AMI-audio: $0.04 AMI-tv: $0.20 AMI-tv en Français: $0.28 AMI-tv en Français paid in Francophone markets, but distributed nationally Not-for-profit, everything invested back Largest costs are for acquiring and describing Canadian broadcast content
In Canada, it s Described Video Described video (DV) is a narrated description of a program's main visual elements, such as settings, costumes, or body language Works best for pre-recorded programs, such as dramas and documentaries Described video uses a separate audio track
Description Roadmap Timeline April 2011 to June 2012 Described Video Working Group June 2012 to June 2013 Post-Production Described Video Best Practices January 2014 to June 2014 Live Described Video Best Practices 2014: Embedded, Multi-lingual, Digital
Post-Production DV Examples AMI YouTube Channel AMI Old House AMI Diner Industry PSA Murdoch Mysteries
Post-Production DV Best Practices Member from 14 organizations (Community Groups, Broadcasters, Producers, Description Houses, Canadian Association of Broadcasters) Described Video Best Practices; Artistic and Technical Guidelines submitted to the CRTC in July 2013 http://www.ami.ca/media- accessibility/pages/described- Video-Best-Practices.aspx
Post-Production DV Best Practices Artistic Guidelines 1. Individual/Physical Characteristics 2. Scene Transitions 3. Visual Effects 4. Non-verbal Sounds/Communications 5. Titles, Subtitles, Credits, Text on Screen, Signing 6. Style and Tone Technical Guidelines 1. Channels 2. Loudness & peak levels 3. Soundtrack vs. DV mix levels 4. Equalization 5. Sync 6. Recording quality 7. Output parameters
Post-Production DV Best Practices Industry adopted Described Video Best Practices + Internally developed guidelines based upon the unique experiences of each producer = Consistent and good quality DV in Canada
Live DV Best Practices The Live Described Video Best Practices are an extension of the Post-Production Described Video Best Practices. Royal Wedding Blue Jays Baseball
Live DV Best Practices The describer is an actor who is a narrator. Role of the Describer Logistical 1. Research 2. Physical Location 3. Producer, Describer Relationship 4. Characteristics of a Live Event 5. Handling the Unexpected Technical
Embedded DV (EDV) Best Practices EDV is an experimental method of creating described video, whereby the identification of key visual elements are incorporated into the original production of the program, such that traditional DV is not required The program is produced from the onset in consultation and collaboration with an experienced describer in order for blind and visually impaired audiences to understand and enjoy it without the addition of traditional DV
Embedded DV (EDV) Best Practices DV EDV Separate narration track No separate narration track Altered delivery format One delivery format Executed after program is Executed throughout production packaged Factors: Factors: o Scriptwriting and narration o Scriptwriting, narration, talking heads, dialogue, translations, sound effects, background noise, music, lyrics, and the space between all of the above
Multi-Lingual DV Best Practices AMI-tv en Français Working with French broadcasters in Canada to gain insight into the nuances of French programming that may need to be considered Everything for French has been considered in the English Post-Production document
Digital DV Best Practices An Accessible Media Player Video, Audio, Captioning, Description Turn all of them on and turn all of them off A generic solution to ensure accurate output of a separate audio track. Embedded Description considerations.
Described Video TV Guide
Contact Robert.Pearson@ami.ca http://www.ami.ca Twitter: @a11ymedia Facebook: Accessible Media Inc. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/accessiblemedia/