[Perform-Talk] Asking For your Thoughts

[annedonnellon at gmail.com]

Helloeveryone!

I have an upcoming holiday project I was invited to participate in: It is a Christmasvideo put together by a fellow audiobook narrator: Where several narrators share their favorite holiday poem, some childhood or memorable holiday photos, or read a line of a group poem.  Of course, I am all about spreading the joy, no doubt!  I approached this woman about audio description last year and she stated she was hesitant to ask someone she knows to audio describe given that this is a volunteer project.  (To her credit, she understands the value of AD, and of course voice actors who do this sort of thing should get paid, but I’mstill troubled that she chose not to add it☹.  I almost didn’t do it because, why would I add my name to something I could not guarantee would be fully accessible for everyone?

I did it for the joy of giving, and I described my photo, in hopes that others would follow suit and do the same.

Here is the video below for reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fLv5l7Rryo <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fLv5l7Rryo&t=20s> &t=20s

It’s a little lengthy, but so you guys know, I’m about five minutes in and I read the excerpt from “The Very Fairy Princess” by Julie Andrews😊.

So, here’s my question: I’m darned if I do, darned if I don’t do it this year.

Darned if I do because I don’t know if AD will be added, and what kind of statement am I making if I put my name on something that not everyone will get to fully experience?

Darned if I don’t because, why wouldn’t I want to spread the holiday cheer?

What are your thoughts?  Would you do it?  Why or why not?