AD in action
Voice Arts Awards 2021, presented by Society for Voice Arts and Sciences
I was thrilled to be nominated, and then WIN, for my work describing Steppenwolf’s “Duchess! Duchess! Duchess!” this past Fall. I had a lot of fun pulling together this video of the win, made accessible with both closed captions AND audio description, cause it's not much of a win for access if the video of the win isn't accessible.
I’ve been having a lot of fun spreading the word about access in the cultural sector on different podcasts. Here, I sit down with “Yes But Why” host Amy Jordan and dish about rates, the pandemic’s effect on cultural access, and why I find audio description so deeply creatively fulfilling.
Vernon Henley Media Award, presented by American Council for the Blind
This week I had the honor of receiving the 2021 Vernon Henley Media Award from the American Council for the Blind Board of Publications for my work on the audio description of the 2021 Presidential Inauguration, alongside my colleague Martin Wilde and the Presidential Inauguration Committee.
It is absolutely incredible to have our hard work recognized and I can't wait to see where we go from here.
The shift to virtual events and meet-ups that has come in the wake of the pandemic has afforded me opportunities to meet and collaborate with other describers and talents that we might not have connected otherwise given our diverse locations. A great group that has been making waves recently is the Audio Description Network Alliance. I recently sat down with Roy Samuelson, host of their new podcast “Know Your Narrator”, to discuss recent descriptions of mine.
A great series that introduces you to behind-the-scenes players in the audio description world. In this episode, we discuss my beginnings with AD, recent projects such as the DNC 2020, and what keeps me going.
We had a lot of fun in this episode uncovering the layers of Hamilton’s visuals that don’t often make it to the final AD script due to lack of pauses in the fast paced musical.
2021 Presidential Inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris
Martin Wilde and I once again joined forces to provide an unprecedented level of access to the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. Using what we learned from the DNC 2020 broadcast, our extemporaneous live description continuously flowed to ensure we were maximizing all of the pauses in the pageantry, ensuring no one was left in doubt about the fashions or visual significance of seemingly mundane choices like seating arrangements and hand shakes.
My colleague Martin and I recently spoke with the hosts of the podcast “Picture This”, Brian Charlson and Carl Richardson, about our experience describing the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Nice to relive this experience now that the episode has aired, and thankfully things are looking much more hopeful about virtual AD now that the pandemic restrictions on live events are creating new innovations.
Our portion of the interview begins at 00:04:20.
Democratic National Convention 2020
It was my honor to live audio describe the 2020 Democratic National Convention, alongside my colleague Martin Wilde. We were given a lineup each evening prior to broadcast, then extemporaneously described the event as it was broadcast. User feedback, so integral to providing a useful experience, led us to change up our description style midway through the convention. On Day 1 and 2, we focused on description in between the convention audio. For Day 3 and 4, we added more description to provide better context and relied on users to distinguish our description from the videos and speeches they were hearing. Have feedback for us? Drop us an email!
Chicago Mayor’s Inauguration 2019
In Spring of 2019, I provided live audio description for those attending the inauguration of the new Mayor, Lori Lightfoot. Not only did the event feature audio description, but also open captioning, ASL interpretation, pro-tactile interpretation, assistive listening devices, accessible seating areas on every level, and customer service crew assigned specifically to access needs, with an Access Info table in the main lobby. A shining example of what can be accomplished when accessibility is included in planning from the very beginning.
As the event took place in a large indoor stadium and I was seated in the audience for the clearest view of the stage, I used a stenographers mask instead of an open microphone. This easily limits the amount of ambient sound that would be heard by those listening to my description, as well as limit any distraction my voice might cause to those around me in the audience.
Chicago Tribune covers cultural accessibility in Chicago, 2019
I am thrilled to be included in this fantastic article by the Chicago Tribune, alongside so many amazing movers and shakers in the cultural accessibility community here in Chicago!
“Bridget Melton, an audio describer, graced the stage earlier to describe to the attendees the stage’s layout (minimalist and abstract) and the props that factor in onstage. The visually impaired patrons can walk the stage before showtime and feel the props to help better understand the subtleties in the performance. When they hear the performance described through a provided headset, they can follow along without missing a beat.”
“It’s a service that Pamela Berman, 54, appreciates. The Bowmanville resident with retinitis pigmentosa (a degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment) said she tries to go to the theater at least once a month and looks for such accessibility options, otherwise she doesn’t come back to the theater. With her seeing-eye dog Gumbo, Berman said such services allow her to go out by herself to enjoy a night of theater without having to sit and wait to go with someone.”
Access all inclusive at Women’s March Chicago 2018
It was an honor to describe the Women’s March Chicago “March to the Polls” rally in October. Equipment was provided by a joint program between Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium. Accessibility is planned for from the very beginning and includes all manner of needs, allowing for space at the rally for seating, accessible restrooms, a family area for those with children, a jumbo tron WITH open captions, audio description, ASL interpreters, staff guides, and so much more. Thank you to all who work to keep these marches and rallies inclusive!
Photo of Bridget outdoors standing in front of the speakers’ stage at the 2018 March to the Polls / Women’s March Chicago. She holds a stenographer’s mask to her mouth as she begins pre-event descriptions to help set the scene for listeners.
CRIS RADIO BROADCASTS EXCERPTS
For several months on Tuesday afternoons, I could be heard on CRIS Radio as a volunteer reader of the entertainment and business news from the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. A fantastic way for me to stay connected and give back to the community, as well as get in valuable practice honing my producing and voice recording.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer reader for The Chicago Lighthouse, learn more here.
“Cuddle Bunnies and Robots”
Election Day 2020 coverage has greatly preempted the news I am assigned to, so much so I found myself beginning my broadcast today reading about a business centered around cuddling bunnies, and ending with the absurdity of robots being laid off because "human workers could get similar results".
“Dreams of Being Alone, But All Together, At A Bar”
A great meditation on the little things we now long for that once were commonplace - sitting in a bar being along in a crowd. Let alone actually wanting to be in a crowd.