Audiodeskriptor/Audiodeskriptorin

For more information on this profession, refer to these sources: Federal Government Commissioner for the Affairs of People with Disabilities, Disability Law, Professions in Theater, Crew United - The Network for Film and Television Professionals, DGSS @ktuell, Brain & Mind, Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, Medium Magazin.

Audio describers typically work in offices, in the audience areas of theater, opera, and drama houses, and in event, museum, and exhibition spaces. They may also work in recording studios, in a home office, or remotely.

Core competencies generally required for this profession include: Breath, voice, and speech design; accessible media; and conception (theater, film, television, exhibition). Other competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include: Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), radio play, production (stage, film, television, video, audiovision), editorial work, voice training, dubbing (film and television productions), sound editing, and sound engineering.

Audio describers largely independently create acoustic descriptions of elements in media, artistic productions such as theater or opera performances, and exhibitions that are otherwise only visually perceptible. If necessary, they consult with blind authors or authors with visual impairments. Teamwork is essential here. They carefully ensure that the audio description is formulated appropriately for the target group and meets minimum requirements, for example, in character descriptions. With their strong textual and linguistic competence, they accurately grasp even subtle nuances and formulate creative descriptions to convey a special atmosphere or artistic effect acoustically. In dealing with clients, they demonstrate communication skills when planning and accompanying voice recordings with speakers, as well as organizational talent.

Audio describers can work freelance and, for example, take on assignments from television or film production companies.

Statements regarding earning potential for this professional activity cannot be made. Salary information varies; please check BERUFENET.

Audiodescriptors typically work in arts, culture, museums, opera and musicals, theater, live music venues, concert organizers, and orchestras. They can also be employed in film, video, audio production, radio, television, and other media broadcasting sectors. Event agencies and other companies providing services for artists are also potential employers.

Employers often expect a university degree (Studium) or relevant further training in fields such as acting, pedagogy, journalism, theater and media studies, or film and television production.

Relevant fields of study for this profession include media studies, acting, theater studies, journalism, film and television production, media pedagogy, and cultural pedagogy, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Audiodescriptors can find employment at film and television production companies, theater, opera, and drama houses, service companies specializing in audiodescription, museums, and event agencies.

They are referred to as Audiodeskriptor or Audiodeskriptorin. Another common professional title or synonym is Audiodeskripteur or Audiodeskripteurin.

Audiodescriptors enable blind or visually impaired people to access visual content such as films, theater plays, or exhibitions by making visual impressions acoustically available and describing them in a target-group-appropriate manner.

Job and applicant exchanges: Bühnenjobs.de, crew united, mandy.com.

Associations and organizations: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sprechwissenschaft und Sprecherziehung e.V. (DGSS), Genossenschaft Deutscher Bühnen-Angehöriger (GDBA), Künstlervermittlung der Zentralen Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV), VAUNET Verband Privater Medien, ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, Verband für Blinden- und Sehbehindertenpädagogik e. V. (VBS).

Working conditions: Group and teamwork (e.g., reviewing a manuscript with blind authors), customer contact (e.g., discussing the final version of an AD script with clients), screen work (e.g., writing AD scripts), working with technical equipment, machines, and systems (e.g., testing descriptive texts for audio guides), office work (e.g., reviewing exhibition concepts or scene notes), studio work (e.g., accompanying the recording of audio descriptions), irregular working hours (e.g., being on-site in the evenings or on weekends depending on the schedule when audio descriptions are recorded live).

Work objects/tools: Documents and media (e.g., AD scripts, text/screenplays, theater scripts, scene and role notes, exhibition concepts, film and audio material), software and accessories (e.g., software for audio description, monitors, headsets, microphones, headphones, receivers, audio guides), office equipment (e.g., PC, internet access, telephone).

Tasks and activities: Audio describers make visual media, art, and culture audible and experienceable for blind and visually impaired people through precise acoustic audio descriptions. They create audio descriptions for TV programs and accompany the entire process. This includes, for example, writing an AD script, having it reviewed by the target group, and organizing the final recording in the sound studio. Audio describers also simultaneously and situationally describe events happening on stage or at the venue during live events. They record audio descriptions on-site, which are then transmitted in real-time to the listeners' receivers or headphones. In addition, they create and implement accessible audio tours for museums, for instance.

Continuing education (professional adaptation): Helps to keep professional knowledge up-to-date and adapt to new developments (e.g., in voice and speech training, film and television production, theater, radio broadcasting).

Depending on one's professional background, further career opportunities open up through an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (e.g., in Media Studies). Under certain conditions, it is also possible to study without a general higher education entrance qualification. For more information: Access to Higher Education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states).

Create audio descriptions for film and television productions, adhering to minimum requirements. Select visual elements for description, such as locations, appearance of people, facial expressions and gestures, cinematic stylistic devices. Determine dialogue and sound pauses to insert image descriptions. Create and edit AD scripts, possibly with the participation of blind or visually impaired authors. Organize voice recordings of audio descriptions with speakers in the sound studio. Realize audio descriptions for live events, theater, and opera performances. Attend dress rehearsals and prepare for live audio descriptions. For theater and opera performances, write descriptions based on a recording, and if necessary, develop accessible play introductions for the blind. Speak audio descriptions live on-site, simultaneously and situationally reproducing visual events on stage or at the venue. Conceive accessible audio guides.