Best Practices for Post-Production and Emerging

Forms of Audio DescriptionRobert Pearson

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI)

May 20th, 2014

Agenda

1. Overview2. Background and Experience3. Financial Model4. Described Video (DV) and Roadmap5. Post-Production DV Best Practices6. Live DV Best Practices7. 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/publications_and_reports/p/productCategory_studies/subCat_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

• 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

Post-Production DV Best Practices

Artistic Guidelines

1. Individual/Physical Characteristics2. Scene Transitions3. Visual Effects4. Non-verbal Sounds/Communications5. Titles, Subtitles , Credits, Text on

Screen, Signing6. Style and Tone

Technical Guidelines

1. Channels2. Loudness & peak levels3. Soundtrack vs. DV mix levels4. Equalization5. Sync6. Recording quality7. Output parameters

Industry adopted Described Video Best Practices+Internally developed guidelines based upon the unique experiences of each producer=Consistent and good quality DV in Canada

Post-Production DV Best Practices

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. Research2. Physical Location3. Producer, Describer Relationship4. Characteristics of a Live Event5. 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

packaged Executed throughout production

Factors:o Scriptwriting and narration

Factors: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/