Introduction: What is Audio Description?
Audio description (AD) is a narration service that makes visual media accessible to people who are blind or have low vision by describing essential visual elements during natural pauses in dialogue. This specialized form of narration provides context about actions, characters, scene changes, on-screen text, and other visual elements that are crucial to understanding the content but are not conveyed through dialogue alone.
Core Principles of Audio Description
Fundamental Guidelines
- Describe what you see: Focus on objective visual elements
- Clarity over creativity: Communicate clearly before being artistic
- Timing is crucial: Deliver descriptions in natural dialogue gaps
- Essential information first: Prioritize plot-critical visuals
- Neutral delivery: Avoid interpreting or editorializing
- Complement, don’t compete: Work with existing audio elements
The Four-W Framework
- Who: Characters, their appearances, and actions
- What: Objects, settings, and significant visual elements
- Where: Locations, spatial relationships, scene changes
- When: Time of day, era, season, time transitions
Description Writing Techniques
Language Principles
- Present tense: Use active, immediate language
- Concise wording: Maximize information in limited time
- Specific vocabulary: Choose precise descriptive terms
- Varied sentence structure: Adapt to available time gaps
- Accessible language: Avoid jargon unless contextually necessary
Description Priority Order
- Plot-advancing actions: What moves the story forward
- Character identification: Who is speaking or acting
- Setting changes: New locations or significant environment shifts
- Visual subtext: Non-verbal communication and emotional cues
- Stylistic elements: Visual techniques when relevant to understanding
Comparison Table: Description Styles by Genre
| Genre | Description Focus | Pacing | Language Style | Special Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drama | Emotional cues, relationships | Measured | Nuanced, sensitive | Subtextual elements |
| Comedy | Visual gags, timing | Quick | Rhythmic, precise | Preserving comic timing |
| Action | Movement, spatial relationships | Dynamic | Energetic, economical | Clear sequencing of rapid events |
| Documentary | Factual details, visual evidence | Methodical | Informative, objective | Technical/specialized content |
| Children’s | Clear, simple descriptions | Gentle | Accessible vocabulary | Age-appropriate language |
Technical Considerations
Audio Mixing Requirements
- Voice clarity: 0dB to -3dB peak levels
- Background reduction: -10dB to -20dB during description
- Consistent levels: Maintain even volume across descriptions
- Voice placement: Center channel in surround sound mixing
- Noise floor: Clean recording environment (-60dB or lower)
Recording Best Practices
- Professional voiceover talent: Clear articulation and neutral accent
- Consistent microphone position: 6-8 inches from mouth
- Pop filter usage: Reduce plosives (p, b, t sounds)
- Room treatment: Minimize reverb and echo
- Sample rate/bit depth: Minimum 48kHz/24-bit
Writing for Time Constraints
Time Management Strategies
- Prioritize critical information: Essential before supplementary
- Tiered description approach: Prepare multiple versions (short/medium/full)
- Strategic word choice: Descriptive adjectives over phrases
- Quick character identification: Use names consistently
- Eliminate redundancy: Don’t describe what’s evident from audio
Time-Saving Language Techniques
- Telegraphic style: Reduce articles and conjunctions when needed
- Compound descriptions: Combine related visual elements
- Action + appearance: “The tall man runs” vs “He is tall. He runs.”
- Implied subjects: Occasional use of sentence fragments
- Economical transitions: “Later” vs “Several hours later”
Common Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: Rapid Dialogue
Solutions:
- Describe during musical interludes
- Identify speakers before fast exchanges
- Front-load key visual information
- Use very concise descriptive phrases
- Consider extended description option
Challenge: Effects-Heavy Content
Solutions:
- Prioritize descriptions of effects that advance plot
- Brief technical explanations if relevant
- Define recurring visual effects once
- Focus on impact rather than technique
- Use pre-show notes for complex visuals
Challenge: Multiple Simultaneous Actions
Solutions:
- Focus on dominant action line
- Briefly acknowledge secondary actions
- Establish spatial relationships early
- Use character names consistently to minimize confusion
- Employ strategic sentence structure to indicate relationships
Challenge: Visual Symbolism/Metaphors
Solutions:
- Describe the visual element objectively
- Allow audience to interpret significance
- Use tone to subtly convey importance
- Balance between under-describing and over-explaining
- Consider contextual importance to story
Script Formats and Production Flow
Standard Script Format
- Timecode: Start and end points for description
- Description text: What will be narrated
- Duration: Available time for narration
- Context notes: For describer/narrator reference only
Sample Script Layout
TC IN: 00:01:23:15
TC OUT: 00:01:26:08
DURATION: 2.5 seconds
DESC: Sarah glances nervously at the unopened letter.
CONTEXT: First time viewer sees the letter that becomes plot-critical
Production Workflow
- Analysis: View content, identify description points
- Script development: Write descriptions with timecodes
- Review: Check for accuracy, clarity, and timing
- Recording: Professional voiceover session
- Mix: Integrate with original audio program
- Quality check: Final review of integrated product
Best Practices by Content Type
Feature Films
- Introduce characters with brief visual descriptions
- Establish new settings quickly
- Convey visual tone/mood when relevant
- Use consistent character identification
- Balance between plot necessity and artistic elements
Television Programs
- Accommodate commercial breaks in pacing
- Establish recurring settings briefly
- Identify speakers in dialogue-heavy scenes
- Consider series context in descriptions
- Manage expectations for continuing storylines
Live Events
- Prepare templates for common scenarios
- Develop shorthand for recurring elements
- Practice improvisational skills
- Prioritize real-time relevance over perfection
- Prepare background research on participants
Museum Exhibits
- Layer information from general to specific
- Incorporate contextual/historical details
- Use directional language for navigation
- Describe textures and materials in detail
- Balance factual information with visual description
Resources for Further Learning
Standards and Guidelines
- American Council of the Blind Audio Description Project
- ADLAB PRO guidelines (European standard)
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
- Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) Description Key
Training Organizations
- Audio Description Training Retreat
- Audio Description Coalition
- Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
- American Foundation for the Blind
Software and Tools
- YouDescribe (collaborative description platform)
- AD scriptwriting templates
- Time-coded transcript software
- Audio editing tools with speech enhancement
- Text-to-speech review tools
Remember that effective audio description is both a technical skill and an art form. The best describers balance objectivity with sensitivity to the content’s artistic intent, providing access while respecting the original work. Practice, feedback from users, and continuous learning are essential to developing expertise in this specialized field.