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What We Offer

​ADTR offers a variety of training options for those interested in the art and science of Audio Description (AD). Our Director Colleen Connor is also involved in the AD community, and makes sure that ADTR is supportive and actively carrying out initiatives to forward the quality and expansion of culturally competent description around the world.

Curriculum

Fundamentals of Audio Description

  • Industry terminology and history of AD in context

  • Disability justice and understanding the audience

  • Thorough review of complex rules of AD

  • Introduction to the roles within theatrical, live, and pre-recorded media description

  • ADTR's Top Ten Tips highlighting how to organize and approach description projects

  • Prioritizing, timing and editing of primary/standard in-line description scripts

  • Emphasis on practice time—this is a craft learned by doing!

  • Feedback and critique from blind and sighted expert instructors and fellow participants

  • Admission to ADTR's network of graduates

  • Extensive resources for continuing education, career paths, and more!

  • An application process for a total of 8 students to ensure a committed and diverse group

  • An additional 8 spots available for observation of the course at a lower tuition rate in response to the worldwide need for training options

Advanced AD: Writing for the Screen

  • Prerequisite: Fundamentals of AD

  • Students bring short examples of their own description for presentation, discussion, and feedback 

  • Discussion of how to locate quality critique and the importance of consulting with the blind and low vision community

  • Addressing progression of representation, diversity and inclusion in professional AD

  • Exercises supporting fundamentals and expanding self-editing and quality control skills

  • How to give and receive constructive feedback

  • Review and discuss example film and TV scripts

  • Writing both in-class and assigned scenes utilizing script templates and "real-life" guidelines

  • Orientation in space; in-person venues, VR, and video games

  • Grammar and genre-specific tips for avoiding traps and making AD language work smarter

  • Cinematic, theatrical, design, dance, and movement vocabulary resources. 

  • What to expect when working in AD for the screen

  • Current AD landscape and peeks at developing screen trends

  • Q&A including advice on resumes and job submissions

Advanced AD: Live & Theatrical Performance - Coming Soon

  • Prerequisite: Fundamentals of AD

  • Students present assigned pre-show examples for theatrical productions utilizing materials and templates provided

  • Overview of specific roles and strategies for offering live AD services 

  • Live AD practice drills and collaborative exercises 

  • Performing second descriptions incorporating edits for discussion and feedback

  • Discussing diversity and representation and how to promote culturally competent AD of events and individuals 

  • How to describe characters, costumes, props, sets, lighting, plots, program notes, venue features, and more with and without preparation time

  • How to give and receive constructive feedback from peers and the audience 

  • Practice in pre-show description writing and coordination with partnering primary / in real time describers 

  • Introduction to tactile / touch tours, docent audio scripts, and exhibition crossovers

  • Theatrical and movement vocabulary resources

  • Orientation in physical spaces;  assisting blind and low vision patrons with navigation as well as conveying key visuals logically 

  • Pointers for outreach to  blind and low vision communities 

  • Tips for engaging with organizations, schools, theaters, or other venues when providing AD

  • Purchasing and using Audio Description equipment

In Development

ADTR is expanding and creating more training options as AD awareness and jobs increase. Besides the main 3 virtual training retreats, things to look forward to are:

  1. Another collaborative class with Descriptive Video Works (DVW) and BlackStar to provide training for interested artists of color!

  2. Shorter and more specific webinars or workshops on AD topics that are under-discussed 

  3. Asynchronous online classes to allow individuals to do things at their own pace with the same quality curriculum 

  4. A revamp of the network and grad living library

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