steve, it's swings and roundabouts. So do you decide to discriminate on
grounds of taste and art or on grounds of accessibility? Any thoughts which
is preferable?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 7:49 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Children of Beslan - Response from the BBC
Hi Damon,
The approach of cutting away the voice still spoils it for some people, so I
reckon it would still exponentially decrease the viewing audience, merely
because the people are missing out on something they wanted to hear, i.e.,
the originator's voice. I don't see why they should cut off the
originator's voice at all, but that's just my opinion.
All the best -- Computer Room Services: the long cane for blind computer users. Telephone Voice: +44(0)1438 742286, Fax/BBS: +44(0)1438 759589 mobile: +44(0)7956 334938, Email: Steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Web site: http://www.comproom.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Damon
Sent: 15 September 2005 09:39
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Children of Beslan - Response from the BBC
This is an issue not just about being blind but also about having short or long sight and also illiteracy.
It would be entirely possible for them to keep 5 or 10 seconds of the voice
of the contributor before cutting away to a voiceover. In effect they would
have decreased the audience by a sizable percentage because of their
artistic decision to keep the voice of the original person.
Some channels, such as discovery, would always put an English language voiceover over a programme. They do this to make their programmes as accessible as possible so more people can watch and so that their advertisers are happy that more people can watch.
The BBC, funded by you and me, take an alternative approach, an artistic approach, one that excludes more of the public.
Many of the above groups I mention would not recognise themselves as needing
audio description and wouldn't think to research or buy the necessary
equipment which is relevant today in 2005. If audio description were as
readily available as subtitles at the touch of a button, we wouldn't be
having this problem. But being as the take-up and awareness of audio
description is very low here and now in 2005, the problem is a big problem.
There appears to have been a policy shift at BBC2 that affects us ... I'm looking into this at the moment.
Meantime whenever you come across a programme that you find inaccessible, I
urge you to report it to bbc.co.uk/complaints
To Peter and Steve, your arguments regarding new technology will be very relevant in a few years time but not so arguable now. Both of you are very aware visually impaired people anddoubtless early-adopters.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Beasley" <pjbeasley@xxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:46 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Children of Beslan - Response from the BBC
I don't have audio description, but I agree entirely with Steve.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 9:08 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Children of Beslan - Response from the BBC
Hi Mel,
In one way, I agree with the BBC on this, the children's voices should be
heard. However, there would have been a simple solution, and that would
be
to put it on the Audio Description track. Did you suggest that to them?
I
didn't watch it myself, so can't comment, but sometimes, the originator's
voice is more important than an interpreter, even if you can't understand
it. But Audio Description would have answered the problem here, because
sighted people would not have to hear it. It could be a distraction to
the
sighted, we need to look at both sides of the coin.
All the best -- Computer Room Services: the long cane for blind computer users. Telephone Voice: +44(0)1438 742286, Fax/BBS: +44(0)1438 759589 mobile: +44(0)7956 334938, Email: Steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Web site: http://www.comproom.co.uk
-----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mel Spooner Sent: 14 September 2005 09:06 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Children of Beslan - Response from the BBC
Hi All,
Following the discussion on this list about the Children of Beslan programme on BBC 2, I wrote and registered a complaint with the BBC. Below is my response.
To me, the response is far from satisfactory. It is, in my opinion, like
saying that a building can't be made accessible to a wheelchair user
because
the steps leading up to the entrance are aesthetically pleasing and a
ramp
would look out of place.
Mel
*** Text Begins ***
Dear Ms Spooner,
Thank you for contacting BBC Information regarding your concerns about Children of Beslan which was broadcast on BBC TWO on 30 August 2005. I was sorry to learn of your disappointment in not being able to watch the programme
I have raised your concerns with Fiona Stourton, Executive Producer for Children of Beslan.
She explained that the decision to subtitle was made by the production
team
in consultation with the Controller of BBC TWO. The decision was made,
after
much debate, because it was felt that the children's voices should be
heard.
Their feelings were expressed as much in the voices as the words.
While we regret that for the visually impaired this was a disappointment,
we felt that to use actors for children who had been through such trauma would have been inappropriate.
I realise that you may still feel strongly about this matter but hope the
explanation behind this decision is useful. Please be assured that your
comments on this matter have been registered and added to a daily log
that
is made available to senior editorial staff and programme makers. Once
again, thank you for taking the time to contact us with the strength of
your
concerns.
Yours sincerely
Crispian Cousins Divisional Advisor BBC Information
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