Extending the Audience: Delivering Closed Captions and Descriptions for First-Run Theatrical Films

Abstract

Approximately 34 million Americans with hearing or vision loss are unable to enjoy first-run films in theaters because they are not captioned or described. The WGBH Educational Foundation has developed innovative technologies that make it possible for exhibitors to provide captions and descriptions for those who need or desire them, without altering the moviegoing experience for the general audience. WGBH-working with Digital Theater Systems, General Cinema Theatres, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Sony Pictures-has successfully demonstrated how closed captions and descriptive narration can be delivered during a film's regularly scheduled presentations in a theater: This paper provides a summary of WGBH'S Motion Picture Access Project, describes the Rear Window Captioning System and DVS Theatrical, and outlines equipment and production requirements for providing theatrical closed captioning and descriptive narration.ovies play a vital role in popu-M lar culture. They are social, recreational, and educational. However, approximately 34 million Americans with hearing or vision loss are unable to enjoy first-run theatrical films because they are not captioned or described and therefore not accessible to these populations. In 1992, the WGBH Educational Foundation launched the Motion Picture Access Project to explore ways to provide closed captions and descriptive narration for first-run films in theaters.WGBH has developed innovative technologies that make it possible for exhibitors to provide captions and descriptions for those who need or desire them, 'without altering the moviegoing experience for the general audience. The closed nature of the technologies makes it possible to deliver these services without the need for special prints or separate screenings.The patented Rear Window Captioning System, developed by