The state of audio description in the United Kingdom – from description to narration

Abstract

Audio description and audio narration – this article focuses on the problematic relationship between description and narration, re-examining the pronouncements of objectivity in broadcast guidelines for audio describers in the United Kingdom. Using narratological theory and works by members of the various schools of continental philosophy by way of explication, the article calls for a more subjective and cultural-historical reference point for audio describers in the UK. Audio descriptions – provided by a professional audio describer – are analysed in reference to the Esper Photo Analysis Machine episode in Ridley Scott's 1982 film Blade runner.

Keywords:

• audio description
• audio narration
• film theory
• Blade runner

Notes

1. The scene is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkcU0gwZUdg.

2. See also Peter Greenaway's The draughtsman's contract (1982) with its use of anachronisms and painterly references to Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Vermeer, Lichtenstein etc.

3. See Blade Runner – Replicant Site: http://www.blade-runner.it/index-e.asp?page=/veicoli-e.html

4. See Shetley and Ferguson (2001) for a more detailed discussion of Blade runner in relation to art, mirrors and lenses.

5. With thanks to Lize Terblanche for advice, comments, and assistance.