The Unseen Work of an Audio Description Detective

Audio Description (AD) is a vital accessibility service and it’s my job to paint a verbal picture for our users. This means as Audio Describers, we have to be incredibly knowledgeable on a whole variety of subjects.  AD is, in my humble opinion, an art form that blends concise, objective description with engaging language. But behind every well-crafted AD track lies a significant and often unseen, amount of detective work: research. From the mundane to the magnificent, we often delve deep to ensure accuracy, which enriches the listener's experience, and sometimes, uncovers fascinating details along the way. This journey of discovery, while sometimes challenging, is often one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.

When scripting for a movie or drama series, we’re given the visual information that's required; an action, an everyday item, a location we know.  However, sometimes we need to research what it is we are looking at - so what does that entail? It's a multifaceted process. When describing locations, it’s not enough to simply say "a forest." Is it a temperate rainforest in the Pacific Northwest of America, characterised by towering Sitka spruce and a damp, fern-covered floor? Or is it the sparse, sun-drenched pine forests of the Mediterranean? Accuracy is key in building the right world. This might involve scrutinising the visuals and cross-referencing images, or scouring city skylines, to find the right building rising up against a sunset.  For period pieces, historical accuracy becomes even more important, requiring research into the architecture, furnishings, and even the landscape of the era.

Describing people also demands meticulous attention. Beyond physical characteristics, clothing styles can denote period, social status, or profession. Does a uniform belong to a specific military branch and rank? Is a historical figure depicted accurately according to portraits or written accounts? Sometimes, the research delves into cultural nuances – a particular gesture, a traditional garment, or a symbolic tattoo can carry significant meaning that, if described accurately, adds layers of understanding for the AD user. 

Then there are the techniques and actions. Is a character performing a specific martial art? What's the correct terminology for the intricate steps of a particular dance? If it's a scientific documentary, understanding the processes and equipment shown is crucial. This can involve watching instructional videos, the libraries of Google, and using the power of AI tools like Gemini or Chat GPT to narrow down searches and inspect images. The goal is always to provide clear, precise, and informative descriptions without overwhelming the listener or misinterpreting the on-screen action.

My path as an Audio Describer is not always smooth and challenges abound. Time constraints are often a major hurdle. Production schedules can be tight, leaving limited windows for in-depth investigation and sometimes, the visual information itself is ambiguous or obscure. A fleeting glimpse of a crest, a partially hidden object, or a stylized artistic representation can send us down a rabbit hole, trying to identify its significance. Sometimes the balancing act means we must decide on whether the information is important, or our research must come to an end.  Visual effects can also pose a challenge – is that fantastical creature based on existing mythology, or is it a unique creation of the filmmakers? Understanding this can influence the descriptive language used. Often, I find the sheer volume of information in some productions - particularly dense documentaries or epic series - require a systematic approach to ensure no crucial detail is overlooked.

Saying all this, the challenges posed by research can often lead to the joys of discovery. Personally, I get a genuine thrill in unearthing a piece of information that unlocks a deeper understanding of a scene or character - for the end AD product, or for my own learning and enjoyment. It’s like being a historical detective, a cultural anthropologist, and a nature expert all rolled into one.  And sports - wow, a never-ending list of sportsmen and women around the world, how to pronounce their names and what's actually going on.  For instance, I doubt the language used in Cricket is even real, and wasn’t made up during a long drunken afternoon, lazing in the sun. Once scripting a Cricket match, I heard a commentator say, “nicked off to a jaffa, caught at silly mid-off”.  I seriously doubt that he even knows what he said.  Cricket, oh Cricket! 

During a project titled “Cub Camp” featuring the rescue and rehabilitation of Manitoba’s black bears, a seemingly straightforward scene led to some interesting discoveries. Initial research wasn’t needed, after all they’re black bears, common to the region – it’s almost in the title. But during a later episode a particular behaviour required some research which revealed fascinating local details. Did you know that Manitoba's Riding Mountain National Park has one of the densest black bear populations in North America? I also learnt about the unique local research projects tracking the bears specific dietary habits, like a particular fondness for late-summer berries found only in that region. These incredible bears play a significant role in the folklore and traditions of local Indigenous communities in Manitoba, adding a layer of cultural richness that, if subtly hinted at in the description, could elevate the AD beyond simple visual information. These weren't just "bears"; they were Manitoba bears, with their own specific ecological and cultural context.  They’re also absolutely incredible climbers - watching these big, hefty bears balance on tiny thin branches blew my mind; it defies the laws of physics.  My research into these bears and the rescues owners, Judy and Roger Stearns, has left me a fan - and I continue to follow their progress online. 

The world of fictional universes also presents unique research adventures. Take the critically acclaimed series "The Last of Us”, which I’m currently working on.  To accurately describe the post-apocalyptic world, the terrifying Infected, and the nuanced interactions between characters, a deep understanding of the source material is invaluable. For me, that meant research into cordyceps and various fungal growths - but also, I needed to familiarize myself with the Naughty Dog video games (on which the series is based)... for the 5th time. At least that’s what I told my wife.
 **Disclaimer to the management, I didn’t do this extracurricular research during work hours.

"Sorry Darling, I have to play through 'The Last of Us Part II' again… it's for work! I need to accurately capture the desperation in Ellie's eyes when she…” - REDACTED for story spoiler purposes. 

The (jokey – but not really) attempt to convince my wife of the absolute necessity of extensive game time would, of course, be purely in the service of delivering the most authentic and immersive Audio Description possible. On a serious note, understanding the game's lore, the established rules of its world, and the visual language developed over years in the video games greatly helps to inform and enrich my AD script for the spellbinding and hauntingly beautiful HBO series.  Being deeply acquainted with the video games distinct visual style, it's horrifying infected, and its detailed apocalyptic cityscapes allows for descriptions that resonate deeply with fans and newcomers alike.

Ultimately, the research embedded within Audio Description is a testament to the dedication we, as AD professionals, hope and strive for.  At the end of the day, we all want to provide an equitable and engaging experience for all audiences. It’s a process that demands curiosity, tenacity, and a genuine love for uncovering the stories behind the visuals. The quiet satisfaction of knowing you've provided not just a description, but a richer understanding for our audience, and ourselves, is one of the hidden joyful gems of this vital work.

While the listener may only hear the final, polished words, those words are built upon a foundation of careful investigation and a journey of discovery that ensures the unseen is not unexperienced.  So next time you hear one of us describe the intricate details on a delicate teacup, remember the AD detective, their exhaustive research and the many, many cups of tea it took to describe it.

This article was written and narrated by Davide Arbisi.