[Perform-talk] Audio description

Jordy Stringer jordystringer83 at gmail.com
Mon Jun 8 15:25:31 UTC 2015 

Yes, the issue of blind actors/actresses  

Jordy
-----Original Message-----
From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2015 11:13 AM
To: Performing Arts Division list
Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description

Hi Jordy:

Thanks! Do you mean the issue of blind actors? (The title of this thread
should have been changed long ago -- I apologize, as I'm one of the culprits
who never changed it!)

Masha


On 6/8/2015 9:22 AM, Jordy Stringer via Perform-talk wrote:
> As there should definitely be an ongoing conversation, for the record, the
division has facilitated in the last three years, three such seminars during
national convention. If you all think that this is an issue that deserves
special attention, I'm happy to establish a committee that will pay special
attention to this performing arts related issue. I'm happy to discuss that
here on the listserv, via conference call, or during national convention.
>
> Comments?
>
>
> Sent from the iPhone of Jordy D Stringer President, performing arts 
> division, national Federation of the blind
>
>> On Jun 7, 2015, at 4:38 PM, Julie McGinnity via Perform-talk
<perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> This is very interesting.
>>
>> What we need to do is put on a production with all blind...  Blind 
>> directors, actors, musicians if we choose to do a musical that is.  
>> Of course, employing sighted people to assess stage lighting and the 
>> look of the costumes would be fine, but all decisions would be made 
>> by the blind.  I have heard of this company and find it interesting 
>> that theater "by the blind" doesn't have blind directors.
>>
>>
>> I'm so glad we have actors on this list!  I think how the blind are 
>> treated as actors is a very important topic and one the division 
>> should discuss.
>>
>>> On 6/7/15, Maria  via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hi Masha,
>>>
>>> Very well said.  It did ruin the experience for me.
>>>
>>> Still, I love acting and I'm hoping to someday find a way to get 
>>> involved in the industry again.
>>>
>>> Maria
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>>> Behalf Of Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>> Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2015 6:04 AM
>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>
>>> Hi Maria:
>>>
>>> I think my reactions to that sort of thing would be very similar to
yours.
>>> I
>>> wouldn't mind telling (very true) stories about how I couldn't 
>>> participate in musicals in high school because they just assumed I 
>>> couldn't dance (and didn't try to teach me). Or how difficult it is 
>>> to get parts when directors are looking for chemistry during an 
>>> audition, and what they mean by chemistry is often the ability for 
>>> actors to give each other signals by looking at each other. But I 
>>> would want to tell these stories in an effort to help people think 
>>> about expanding our opportunities, not in order for some guy to set 
>>> himself up as my savior and collect money for same. That sounds
intensely humiliating, and almost enough to ruin the experience.
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 6/6/2015 10:52 PM, Maria via Perform-talk wrote:
>>>> Hi Masha,
>>>>
>>>> For about 4 years I was part of an all blind theater company.  
>>>> Perhaps you have heard of it.  Anyway, At first it was wonderful 
>>>> and I learned so much and I feel that I grew so much as an actress.  
>>>> However, as time went on I began to realize that something was not 
>>>> right about this
>>> theater company.
>>>> It is a nonprofit so of course there was a lot of fund raising and 
>>>> kick starters, however, to me it just seemed a bit excessive.  In 
>>>> addition, the director, which is sighted,  would make all the 
>>>> members tell there saddest most pathetic stories after the plays in 
>>>> order to gain the audiences sympathy and in so doing getting them 
>>>> to donate even more.  I loved doing the plays but I just hated that 
>>>> afgter the play he made us stand stage center and tell these tear 
>>>> jerking and totally depressing stories.  He would then emphasize 
>>>> how he was making such a positive difference on all our lives.  
>>>> Long story short, according to him, he was the reason we had 
>>>> finally found a little joy in
>>> our dark and lonely lives.
>>>>
>>>> I finally got sick of it and brought up all of my concerns.  
>>>> Needless to say that this did not go well.
>>>>
>>>> Anyway, it's been over a year since I left CRE Outreach, and even 
>>>> though I do miss performing, I don't miss the manipulation and 
>>>> begging for
>>> money.
>>>>
>>>> Now I'm looking for new ways to get involved once again in the 
>>>> beautiful art of acting.
>>>>
>>>> Maria
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>>>> Behalf Of Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>>> Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2015 4:47 PM
>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>
>>>> Hi Maria:
>>>>
>>>> I do community theater, so not many roles call for blind or 
>>>> visually impaired characters. I find out about the theaters and 
>>>> sign up for their mailing lists, and thus get notices about auditions.
>>>>
>>>> What about you?
>>>>
>>>> Masha
>>>>
>>>>> On 6/6/2015 3:33 PM, Maria via Perform-talk wrote:
>>>>> Hi Mosha,
>>>>>
>>>>> How do you hear about auditions?  And, do you only audition to 
>>>>> roles that call for blind or visually impaired characters?  Just
wondering.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Maria
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>>>>> Behalf Of Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, June 06, 2015 10:28 AM
>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>
>>>>> I'll contact you, Sandra! Yes, I find that even going to auditions 
>>>>> is helpful, even when I don't get cast, because it's an 
>>>>> opportunity to work on something and to experience how different 
>>>>> people might interpret the same material.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 6/6/2015 1:17 PM, Sandra Gayer via Perform-talk wrote:
>>>>>> Hello everyone,
>>>>>> Sorry I'm late to this thread. I'm a Soprano Singer and Radio 
>>>>>> Presenter. I'm a soloist in an opera at the moment which 
>>>>>> celebrates the 800th anniversary of the signing of The Magna Carta.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> How difficult the work is to find, very much depends on where you 
>>>>>> look, how you sell yourself and, last but by no means least, how 
>>>>>> good you are at your craft!  Acting is no different. If you want 
>>>>>> work in these fields, you need experience. You can't get 
>>>>>> experience unless you are experienced. However, you can get 
>>>>>> experience volunteering in local groups. There is also experience 
>>>>>> to be gained on acting courses/vocal studies courses, auditions 
>>>>>> for jobs etc. Go to plays, concerts, musicals or another 
>>>>>> performances you feel relevant to see and hear how the 
>>>>>> professionals do things. Learn all you can. Every situation is an 
>>>>>> opportunity to learn something. Even auditions, (whether you get 
>>>>>> the part or not), is an opportunity to get something positive; 
>>>>>> hear a piece of music which suits your voice which you have never
heard, make a contact...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If anyone wants further help on getting work in the arts, contact 
>>>>>> me off list at sandragayer7 at gmail.com Very best wishes, Sandra.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 5/31/15, Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> i
>>>>>>> It is just as hard to find singing jobs as well.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>> email;
>>>>>>> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Maria via Perform-talk
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 7:52 PM
>>>>>>> To: 'Performing Arts Division list'
>>>>>>> Cc: Maria
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Masha,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I love your name.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Please feel free to write to me off list.  I'd love to talk to 
>>>>>>> you about my acting experience.  It has been very difficult to 
>>>>>>> find acting jobs, but when I do find them they are awesome.  
>>>>>>> There is nothing I enjoy more than acting.
>>>>>>> Sadly, it is so very difficult to find work in this industry.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> Maria
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>>>>>>> Behalf Of Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 4:40 PM
>>>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>>>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi mMaria:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> About three years ago, the NFB did a training for blind people 
>>>>>>> wishing to enter that field. I think the idea was that a sighted 
>>>>>>> person would write the descriptions and the blind person could 
>>>>>>> check them for things like conciseness, non-condescension, and 
>>>>>>> whether they contained not enough or too much information. I 
>>>>>>> applied for the training but didn't get in -- it was highly 
>>>>>>> competitive. I have no idea how it went or how successful the 
>>>>>>> trainees were at securing jobs in the field. You might want to 
>>>>>>> call the National Center and ask for Natalie Shaheen -- I think 
>>>>>>> she was in charge of organizing the program, and she might have 
>>>>>>> some
>>> information.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good luck!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Masha
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 5/30/2015 6:49 PM, Maria via Perform-talk wrote:
>>>>>>>> Thanks Rob, it is much appreciated.  I also love acting but 
>>>>>>>> it's so very hard to get into that industry.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Good luck with everything you do!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Maria
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>>>>>>>> Behalf Of Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk
>>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 3:09 PM
>>>>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>>>>> Cc: Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Okay. Good luck on that. I am a singer myself and am still 
>>>>>>>> trying to see what I can do to get into the music business even 
>>>>>>>> at the young age of
>>>>>>> 55.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Again, good luck on your endever.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>>> email;
>>>>>>>> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>> From: Maria via Perform-talk
>>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 3:06 PM
>>>>>>>> To: 'Performing Arts Division list'
>>>>>>>> Cc: Maria
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Doing audio description.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>>>>>>>> Behalf Of Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk
>>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 2:52 PM
>>>>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>>>>> Cc: Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Could you be more spesific as to what you are trying to do? Are 
>>>>>>>> you trying to get acting jobs, or are you trying to do somehing 
>>>>>>>> rerding audio description?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>>>>> email;
>>>>>>>> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>> From: Maria via Perform-talk
>>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 2:36 PM
>>>>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>>>>> Cc: Maria
>>>>>>>> Subject: [Perform-talk] Audio description
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi, my name is Maria and I am a totally blind woman living in 
>>>>>>>> the Los Angeles County.  I came across an email regarding the 
>>>>>>>> audio description awards and I wanted to express just how 
>>>>>>>> wonderful I think the audio description field is.  It truly 
>>>>>>>> does enrich the watching experience for many blind and visually
impaired people.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Having said that, there is nothing I would like more than to 
>>>>>>>> know how I could become part of this field.  I am an avid 
>>>>>>>> Braille reader and I have also done some acting.  I think this 
>>>>>>>> career would be absolutely perfect for me.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Would anyone on this list be able to point me in the right 
>>>>>>>> direction so that I can pursue this type of employment?  For 
>>>>>>>> example, where could I get training in this field?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I Thank you in advance for your time and assistance with this.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Maria
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The greatness comes not when things are always going well for you.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> But the greatness comes when you're really tested,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness 
>>>>>>>> comes...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Because only if you've been in the deepest valley
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest 
>>>>>>>> mountain.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>> al.net
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>>>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Julie McGinnity
>> National Federation of the Blind of Missouri second vice president, 
>> National Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary, 
>> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President graduate, Guiding 
>> Eyes for the Blind 2008, 2014 "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
>> 2 Cor. 7
>>
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