As part of a commitment to make screen media accessible to the hearing and visually impaired, Screenworks will deliver a closed captioning and audio description workshop next month.
The workshop will aim to educate filmmakers on the simplicity and significance of closed captions for the deaf and audio description for the blind in screen media; how it increases the opportunities and helps address delivery requirements for some broadcasters and exhibitors.
The seminar will be headed up by captioning expert Michael Lockrey and audio description manager Alison Myers.
Lockrey is a former chairman of the Australian Communication Exchange, a not-for-profit organisation providing phone access to the deaf and hearing impaired, and is a passionate advocate for correct captioning across all media.
As a profoundly deaf man, Lockrey has developed an app “no more craptions” to easily transform Google’s auto-captions into correct closed captions, and has won a national award for his advocacy.
Myers is the audio description manager at The SubStation. After many years as a captioner, Alison branched out into audio description in 2008 and has been a passionate advocate ever since, seeking to expand its use, audience and accessibility in Australia.
Screenworks’ general manager, Ken Crouch was keen to emphasise the significance of this seminar.
“We are very lucky that two experienced advocates, Michael Lockrey and Alison Myers are leading this workshop. We expect that not only will it increase the accessibility of screen media for people with disability it will also raise the quality of close captioning and audio description across our film industry,” he said.
The event, to be held in Byron Bay on August 18, is free event but places are strictly limited.
Tickets and more information www.screenworks.com.au.