Sophie Ana Paris: Midterm Portfolio – #4 Audio Description

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdU4oAb4jEdmIseBv-Agr0FOTt-mCDET/view?usp=share_link 

 

I chose to try to create audio descriptions for a clip from Usher’s Superbowl half-time performance, because of the intensity and grandeur of the visuals that were in the performance. Between the costumes, the dancing, the different people, the setting, and all the suprises, there is so much going on visually that I wanted to try to convey through my audio descriptions. 

 

  • What is the theme of the work? What is it you aim to express?

    • The theme of this work is the shocking, elaborate, and somewhat overwhelming experience of Usher’s half-time performance at the superbowl. I am aiming to convey the intensity, grandeur, and extravagence of the performance, the nuances of the visual spectacle (including costumes, dancing, setting, and surprises), and the overall atmosphere of excitement that defines a Super Bowl halftime show. 

  • How is that theme particularly expressed through the modality of the week? 
    • The audio descriptions being layed-over the performance aim to contibute to the over-stimulating experience of watching the performance. I try to capture the shock and confusion, and rapid movement that is expereinced by watching the performance visually. 
  • Which elements of the work are beautifully/wonderfully/perfectly expressed through the modality?
    • I think the overwhelming, overly extravagant nature of the performance are expressed well through the audio descriptions that happen simultaneously. 
  • Which elements are lost or inexpressible through the modality of the week?

    • Some elements were definitely challenging to fully capture through the audio descriptions, including the full impact of visual surprises, the details of the costumes, and the more subtle movements of performers. Also, I think there are nuances of the performance’s aesthetic that are not fully conveyed to listeners. 

  • Who does this project exclude? Who would not be able to interact with this work ? Who is this modality not accessible for?

    • This would not be accessible for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Also, the way the audio descriptions play at the same time as the music can be very overwhelming and make it much harder to comprehend or be too overstimulating for some people. 

       

    • Now that you’ve identified who is excluded, what is one way you could remix this piece to include another population? (You don’t have to make this part, but think about it and write about it) 
      • I think it would be cool to make a way for the viewer to be able to choose if they want to watch with only the audio decriptions, only the music, or both. Also, something interesting to explore would be a sign-language interpreter that is on the side of the screen, as is often done at concerts. 

 

Audio Description Transcript: 

A stage is lit with blue and neon green lights. 

There are about 10 dancers on the stage.

behind them, the band wearing all black with their instruments. 

The dancers are wearing different variations of blue ,white, and black costumes. 

The stage is dark, and the camera zooms in on usher at center stage, 

wearing a blue sparkly rhinestone outfit with a backwards black baseball cap. 

He walks forward with an alleged swagger.  

Usher and the back up dancers on each side break into a synchronized choreography, 

resembling what might be a hip-hop version of an Irish jig   

The dancers continue as usher walks towards the front of the stage

and flips his baseball cap to the front in yet another allegedly swaggy move 

The camera pans to lil Jon in the corner, wearing all black: a snake skin set, beanie, and pointy boots

He’s just kind of vibing there. 

 back to Usher with his dancers 

A flash of lil Jon again 

back to the main stage. 

 The back up dancers gather closer to usher, 

as he does a weird spin type of thing, where he lands on his knees, then immediately stands back up. 

A close up of usher. His face looks very shiny 

Higher up camera view that shows the main stage and the parts that stick out. 

The stadium background is dark, 

but shadows of the crowd dancing on the field around the stage are on the peripheral. 

 Back to a closer angle. The choreography includes a bunch of random short hops, like a preschool kid. 

Oh. Now usher is gyrating. 

He turns and walks back to center stage 

The camera view moves across the field, showing the marching band marching around

Ludacris appears with an afro and sunglasses. 

He makes the classic rapping hand motion as he walks forward 

He rips off his sunglasses, and continues walking, and O!
Now there is a woman hanging on a stripper pole behind him 

Ohp! And another! 

A third one appears as he walks forward 

Lil Jon comes next to him and gets hype 

Original Clip: