I take it wasn't A.D.'d? that would have actually been the best idea, that
way they'd have kept the original voices of the kids for those who could
read the subtitles but those who couldn't could have listened on channel
whatever it is for bbc2 on sky and so on.
I can't work out why they A.D. Holby City but not Casualty. They do spooks
which I was pleased about.
Watched that The Golden Hour on ITV last night, no A.D. and very confusing
as it kept going back and forward in time.
Trace
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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