AUDIO DESCRIPTION

WHAT IS AUDIO DESCRIPTION?
Similar to how closed captioning enables Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers to see what the characters are saying, audio description enables blind and low vision viewers to hear what the characters are doing. For example, by describing important visual aspects of a film, audio description lets blind and low vision viewers know where scenes are taking place, what characters look like, what important actions are taking place, and more.

In short, audio description allows more people to appreciate the work you did to create visually striking scenes.

DOES SUPERFEST REQUIRE AUDIO DESCRIPTION?
Yes. Superfest requires audio description for all films shown at the festival. However, you do not have to have an audio described film to submit your entry to Superfest. Once filmmakers are notified of their acceptance to the festival, they are required to provide an audio-described version of their film. If you are not willing to consider audio description, you should not submit to Superfest.

Requiring all of our films to be audio-described so that blind and low vision participants can join us reflects Superfest’s priority of making culture accessible to everyone. Not only is this significant for access, but it also demonstrates how disability can be a creative and generative force. Many of our filmmakers find that the process of adding audio description results in versions of their film that they actually like better, and play for all attendees moving forward.

WHAT IS THE BEST APPROACH TO CREATING AUDIO DESCRIPTION? WHAT DOES GOOD AUDIO DESCRIPTION INCLUDE?
Superfest encourages the use of audio description that flows well with the film, providing lush detail that benefits anyone viewing the film rather than robotic, bare-bones details. Good audio description should function as a kind of secondary narration that fits (and sets) the tone of each scene. Think of audio description as another tool to communicate the message of your film—and use that tool well.

DO I NEED TO USE AN OUTSIDE COMPANY TO WRITE AND RECORD AUDIO DESCRIPTION OR CAN I DO IT IN-HOUSE?
While Superfest does not require filmmakers to use outside companies to create audio description, we caution that crafting audio description is a skill refined through years of experience. Not only do audio description services employ experienced writers and describers, they also employ blind and low vision quality control specialists who ensure that the audio description is useful.

If you do choose to write and record audio description in-house, we recommend that you consult with experienced creators and consumers of audio description.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF QUALITY AUDIO DESCRIPTION?
This clip from That 70’s Show demonstrates how audio description can be used to describe nonverbal communication and relationships between characters.

This clip from a nature documentary shows how audio description can be used to supplement existing narration with rich, visual detail.
The audio described trailer for the film Frozen shows how audio description can detail and add to visual sequences, including slapstick comedy.

WHAT HAVE PREVIOUS SUPERFEST FILMMAKERS SAID ABOUT CREATING AUDIO DESCRIPTION FOR THEIR FILMS?
One director said, “The description for blind people drew my attention to things that I had overlooked or didn’t realize were so powerful,” while another filmmaker declared that from now on, he would only send the audio-described version of his film to festivals because “it adds a deeper, elevated layer to the film, and the description means that more people can enjoy [it]. Why shouldn’t audio description be the default?”

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT AUDIO DESCRIPTION?
Hosted by SF Film, Superfest co-organizer Emily Beitiks spoke with audio describer and Superfest juror Katie Murphy and narrator, consumer, and advocate Thomas Reid about the art of audio description. View their conversation here at the bottom of the page.

Many thanks to Michele Spitz: Woman of Her Word for her long-time support of Superfest.