1. Best Practices for Post-production and Emerging Forms of Described Video Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) Robert Pearson November 21 st, 2014 Accessing Higher Ground

2. Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) Make accessible media for all Canadians Overview

3. Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) A not-for-profit Three* broadcast channels, website Mandated as must-carry services for all providers 20+ years of making media accessible

4. Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) AMI-audio; magazines, books, local and original programs AMI-tv; open described, closed captioned TV AMI-télé; en Français (December 16 th ) AMI-télé http://www.amitele.ca/http://www.amitele.ca/ AMI.ca http://www.ami.ca/http://www.ami.ca/ DV Guide http://www.ami.ca/dvguide/http://www.ami.ca/dvguide/ Scholarship, Research Panel, DV Best Practices

5. Financial Model Per subscriber – AMI-audio: $0.04 – AMI-tv: $0.20 – AMI-télé: $0.28 AMI-télé paid in Francophone markets, but distributed nationally Not-for-profit, everything invested back Largest costs are for acquiring and describing Canadian broadcast content

6. In Canada, it’s Described Video Described video (DV) is a narrated description of a program's main visual elements, such as settings, costumes, or body language Works best for pre-recorded programs, such as dramas and documentaries Described video uses a separate audio track

7. Description Roadmap Timeline April 2011 to June 2012 – Described Video Working Group June 2012 to June 2013 – Post-Production Described Video Best Practices January 2014 to June 2014 – Live Described Video Best Practices 2015: Embedded, Multi-lingual, Digital

8. Post-Production DV Examples AMI YouTube Channel AMI Old House AMI Diner Industry PSA Murdoch Mysteries

9. Industry adopted Described Video Best Practices + Internally developed guidelines based upon the unique experiences of each producer = Consistent and good quality DV in Canada Post-Production DV Best Practices

10. Artistic Guidelines 1.Individual/Physical Characteristics 2.Scene Transitions 3.Visual Effects 4.Non-verbal Sounds/Communications 5.Titles, Subtitles, Credits, Text on Screen, Signing 6.Style and Tone Technical Guidelines 1.Channels 2.Loudness & peak levels 3.Soundtrack vs. DV mix levels 4.Equalization 5.Sync 6.Recording quality 7.Output parameters http://www.ami.ca/media-accessibility/Pages/Described-Video-Best-Practices.aspx

11. Live DV Best Practices The Live Described Video Best Practices are an extension of the Post-Production Described Video Best Practices. Royal Wedding Blue Jays Baseball

12. Live DV Best Practices The describer is an actor who is a narrator. Role of the Describer Logistical 1.Research 2.Physical Location 3.Producer, Describer Relationship 4.Characteristics of a Live Event 5.Handling the Unexpected Technical

13. Embedded DV (EDV) Best Practices EDV is an experimental method of creating described video, whereby the identification of key visual elements are incorporated into the original production of the program, such that traditional DV is not required The program is produced from the onset in consultation and collaboration with an experienced describer in order for blind and visually impaired audiences to understand and enjoy it without the addition of traditional DV

14. AMI-player Launched October 30 th, 2014 Providing an Accessible Broadcast Experience (ABE) Structurally accessible with accessible content AMI Original Programming

15. Described Video TV Guide

16. Contact Robert.Pearson@ami.ca http://www.ami.ca Twitter: @a11ymedia Facebook: Accessible Media Inc. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/accessiblemedia/ http://www.youtube.com/accessiblemedia/