by Joel Snyder
If you're a lover of audio description, you know its power to help just about anyone more fully experience any endeavor. AD is used these days in school rooms, at parades, sporting events, weddings and, of course, for television, movies, performing arts and museums. Help ACB's Audio Description Project with three initiatives that will culminate at our 50th anniversary convention and conference in Reno this summer.
1) The Third Annual Young Described Film Critic Contest
Along with the Described and Captioned Media Program, we encourage kids to experience film and video with description soundtracks and tell us about them!
Young people with a visual impairment have a chance to win prizes for themselves AND recognition for their schools. And -- a chance to hold the awesome title: Young Described Film Critic of the Year! All you need to do for a chance to win is to write, type or record your own film review of any described movie. Keep it short: 250 words maximum.
There are three age categories: Sophomore (ages 7 to 10), Junior (ages 11 to 14), and Senior (ages 15 to 18). You can enter as many times as you like!
The top nominees in each age category will be invited to an awards ceremony at the American Council of the Blind 2011 convention in Reno, Nev. during the week of July 11. Special guest award presenters will be in attendance and while the prizes are still to be determined, we know you won't be disappointed!
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Friday, June 17, 2011
Enter online at www.listeningislearning.org/get-involved_events-and-contests.html or send us your written entry in regular or large print or braille via e-mail or postal mail (submissions from outside the United States are fine) to:
ACB-Young Described Film Critic
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
USA
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: (202) 467-5083
You will need to include these details:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Age category: Sophomore (ages 7 to 10), Junior (ages 11 to 14), or Senior (ages 15 to 18).
Name of school and class:
School address and phone number:
Don't forget to attach your review!
And be sure to check out the "Top Tips for Writing the Ultimate Film Review" at www.listeningislearning.org/get-involved_events-and-contests.html.
2) Call for Nominations for the Third Annual ADP Awards-2011
Who are the folks who enhance your lives by providing audio description? The ACB wants to provide them with the acknowledgement they deserve!
Application Categories
This year's ADP Awards include a call for nominations in six categories:
- Achievement in Audio Description - Media
- Achievement in Audio Description - Performing Arts
- Achievement in Audio Description - Museums
- Achievement in Audio Description - International
- Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Achievement Award in Audio Description - Research and Development
- Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description
The call for nominations ends on Monday, June 24, 2011, with winners announced during a plenary session of the ACB conference and convention, July 8-16, 2011 in Reno!
Nomination material, criteria and more information follows and is also available at www.acb.org/adp.
Criteria for Selection of Recipients
The Achievement Awards are made to individuals for outstanding contributions to the establishment and/or continued development of significant audio description programs in each of three areas: media, performing arts, and museums. The Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Achievement Award for Research and Development is made to an individual or organization for outstanding published research that leads to the advance of audio description.
The Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description has been established as a tribute to the late Barry Levine, the highly respected moderator of the audio description listserv, administered by the American Council of the Blind. Barry was not only an avid description user in both media and performing arts; he served so many others as the president of Audio Description International. He was a trusted friend and valued mentor; when he passed away suddenly in May 2009, the nation lost a forceful and impressive advocate for audio description.
The Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to the field of audio description over an extended period of time, leading, inspiring or providing significant service to others.
How to Nominate
We urge you to recognize someone who has contributed significantly to the growth of audio description. Submitting a nomination is easy! It's a three-step process:
1) Tell us about the nominee
2) Tell us about yourself
3) Support your nomination
Fill out the form below or make your nomination on-line at acbadp.wufoo.com/forms/2011-audio-description-project-awards/.
Nomination Form
2011 Annual Audio Description Project Awards
- You may submit as many nominations as you wish (one nomination/form).
- Self-nominations are permitted.
- DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: June 24, 2011
Submit your nominations to [email protected] or to: Christopher Gray, 870 Market St., Suite 653, San Francisco, CA 94102.
a) Tell us about the nominee.
Award for which you're making a nomination (choose one):
_____ Achievement in Audio Description - Media
_____ Achievement in Audio Description - Performing Arts
_____ Achievement in Audio Description - Museums
_____ Achievement in Audio Description - International
_____ Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl Achievement Award in Audio Description - Research and Development
_____ Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description
Name of Nominee:
E-mail:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Fax:
b) Tell us about yourself:
Your Name:
E-mail:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Fax:
c) Support Your Nomination
For Achievements Awards in Media, Performing Arts, or Museums, attach a statement of 350 words or less that illustrates how your nominee has made outstanding contributions to the establishment and/or continued development of significant audio description programs in media, performing arts, or museums.
For the Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl Achievement Award in Research and Development, attach a statement of 350 words or less that illustrates how your nominee has conducted outstanding published research that has led to the advance of audio description.
For the Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description, attach a statement of 350 words or less that illustrates how your nominee has made outstanding contributions to the field of audio description over an extended period of time, leading, inspiring or providing significant service to others.
3) The American Council of the Blind/Audio Description Project's Audio Description Institute - July 14-16, 2011
In conjunction with ACB's 2011 annual conference and convention at the John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort Casino - July 14-16, 2011 - Reno, Nevada
The signing of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act has spawned a virtual cottage industry for the development of description for broadcast television. Be a part of it!
Who Should Attend
Anyone interested in:
- working as freelance description writers for broadcast television
- working as a describer in a local performing arts program- working as a describer for visual art exhibitions
- Experienced audio describers desiring an updated refresher course.
NOTE: Freelance writers for broadcast television projects can often be based anywhere in the world - computer equipment capable of accommodating high-speed downloads is a must.
Topics include:
1) Audio description history and theory
2) The "Four Fundamentals of Audio Description"
3) Active seeing/visual literacy - developing skills in concentration and observation
4) The art of editing what you see
5) Vivid language: "The Visual Made Verbal"
6) "Speak the speech, I pray you" -- using the spoken word to make meaning
Program
The interactive sessions (limited use of lecture, questions/discussion throughout, generous use of media, and individual and group writing exercises) are designed to provide immediate feedback and "give and take," allowing for adaptation according to a sense of participants' grasp of the material. In addition, experienced users of description are a part of the Institute's faculty, providing an important perspective throughout the sessions. This three-day intensive program will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2010 and conclude at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2010. Participation is strictly limited. The Institute will issue certificates to all successful participants confirming completion of this professional description training program.
Cost: $420. Includes a Saturday luncheon and registration for the ACB 2011 conference and convention.
Lodging
You can make reservations by calling the Nugget at 1-800-648-1177; be sure to tell the reservationist that you are with the American Council of the Blind, group code gblind, in order to receive the conference rate and count as a conference attendee. Rates are $87 per night for single/double; add $10 per each additional person in the room. Rates do not include 13.5 percent tax.
To Apply
Visit the ACB web site, www.acb.org, to apply online, or contact Joel Snyder at [email protected] or (202) 467-5083.