Talk Description to Me

How does life look underwater? What's a jellyfish like? How about coral? Are deep sea creatures really that bizarre?  This week, Christine and JJ don their virtual scuba gear (but not before describing it, of course!) to answer listener questions about the visuals of the underwater world.

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When tight for time, Audio Describers often use shorthand phrases to sum up rich or complex visuals. Today, Christine and JJ expand on expressions like "futuristic" and "well-dressed" to help description users fill-in their mental pictures.  Prompted by online conversations with fellow description users and creators, Christine asks how Describers handle repetitive imagery,  antiquated language, B-movie continuity, and even eyebrow acting. 

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To boldly describe what no one has described before! Ok, that might be overstating it a bit, but can you blame us for being excited? We’re describing the world of Star Trek here! Inspired by the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ casting of Bruce Horak in the role of Hemmer — a blind actor playing a blind character! — Christine and JJ indulge in a descriptive conversation about the every-changing look of Star Trek. From the soft focus treatment of Kirk’s beautiful alien love interests, to the evolution of Klingon cranial ridges, and the view through Geordi LaForge’s visor, Christine and JJ let their geek flags fly!

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Some of the most iconic pop culture images of our times come from album art. But for many Blind and Low Vision music fans, album covers are little more than cardboard sleeves to protect precious vinyl. Today, Christine and JJ describe art from Billboard’s Top 50 Album Covers of All Time, and throw in some listener requests for good measure.

For Billboard’s complete list, visit: https://www.billboard.com/photos/6715351/best-album-covers-of-all-time/

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It's been a harrowing  few months in Afghanistan with the Taliban advancing during the US military withdrawal. In mid August, the Taliban took control of Kabul and the chaos peaked. In this episode, JJ describes some key scenes from the Taliban takeover including the seizure of the Presidential Palace and the desperate evacuation at the Kabul airport.  Then Christine asks about ongoing protests by the women of Afghanistan, and how US political cartoonists have responded to these troubling and complex events.

Many news organizations have compiled complete timelines of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. We found this article by The Washington Post helpful in our research despite the inaccessible visuals.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/16/taliban-timeline/

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Constellations are delightful and magical; a curious mix of astronomy and fantasy.  They are also a cross cultural phenomenon, with groups from around the world using their own stories to construct and name connect-the-dot pictures in the night sky.  This week, Christine and JJ use Astronomer and Data Visualization Designer Nadieh Bremer's innovative "Figures in the Sky" project to explore and describe the look of constellations.

For more on Figures in the Sky, visit: https://figuresinthesky.visualcinnamon.com/

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The Paralympics are underway, giving us a new slate of athletic heroes to cheer on. But ParaSports sports receive limited coverage between international tournaments, and that makes them a bit harder to follow. To help fill in those gaps, Christine and JJ break down the visuals of some popular Paralympic sports, including wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, running events, and goalball. They talk gear, skills, body types, and debate the merits of diving across a gymnasium floor to block bell-filled-balls with your face! 

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Why are some bugs considered beautiful, and others considered creepy? What is the visual impact of a spotting a single bug versus a swarm? When you cook an insect, does it still look like a bug? Join Christine and JJ for a description-rich conversation about insects that's so vivid you'll swear they're buzzing all around!

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When summer in the city gets unbearably hot and muggy, many of us dream of a road trip to the cottage. Having just come back from one such weekend getaway, Christine seeks to extend her swim-in-the-lake, sunbathe-on-the-dock, feel-good-buzz with descriptions of a cottage escape. And what road trip is complete without a couple of goofball kids hamming it up in the back of the car? As a special treat, JJ passes his microphone to the backseat so his describers-in-training can read the cottage country signs zipping by. Join us for an oh-so-Canadian summer getaway.

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The Olympics are in full swing, and daily audio description coverage has never been better. This week, Christine and JJ discuss the visuals that don't necessarily make it into the prime time recap, including Olympic memes, protest signs, and slow motion gymnastics. Plus, a few description-rich stories of Olympic sportsmanship.  

Audio Description of NBC's prime time coverage and opening and closing ceremonies is being handled by Descriptive Video Works. Check out  #NBCOlympicsA11y and #NBCParalympicsA11y on social media to connect and share with others. 

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