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Help Wanted: Star Wars films with audio description. Can anyone help out??

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The following was posted on alt.binaries.starwars …

Can anyone help out with the request with either the actual copies of the films requested or with any “fan” project/edit of the full Saga.

Hi everyone

I’m a visually impaired star wars fan from denmark, who would love to
get the most out of the star wars saga.

I’ve reasontlly been aware that fox DVS home video, has made at least
three of the 6 star wars films avalable with audio description.
This means that also visually impaired star wars fans have the
oppotunity to enjoy these films to the full, as a narator explaines
the action on screen.

I’d desperatly want to get a hold of these films with the audio
described sound track attached, Unfortunatlly though, these films can
not be purchased from overseas but can only be purchase if you are a
US resident.
The movies can also be uptained from local US libraries - like this
one:
http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wrlbph/audiodescvideos.html

as I’ve tryede everything now, I am posting this message, in the hope
that a kind soal in some way will be able to help me out.

There for, if someone inhere will be able to help me out with an
audio described coppy of the movies, I’d be most greatful.

Kind regards from allan
denmark

 

Any help appreciated…

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I'll do an audio description, but only while drunk.
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Now that's an idea worth pursuing... I volunteer for supplying my lousy Danish-English while affected by alcohol!
"The things that stick in my mind and make me laugh were, like, memos worried about whether or not the Wookie should have pants. They're looking at this thing and saying, "Couldn't he have some lederhosen?" This is great. Of all the things to worry about, the Wookie has no pants." -Mark Hamill
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The official title for this is (DVS) Descriptive Video Service [wiki].
The Descriptive Video Service (DVS), created by WGBH-TV in Boston [citation needed], is used by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the U.S. to provide video description for the visually impaired, so they can better understand what is happening on the video portion of the program. This greatly improves the experience and makes it much more valuable to blind and visually impaired viewers.


I've found that Fox also carries DVS on some of it's major programming and maybe movies too. One way to capture the DVS signal is to have an old VCR. (Made in the 80s) For some reason the old VCRs cannot recognize (and separate out) the DVS signal and it bleeds through the normal audio. I've accidentally taped some programs with the DVS, it's neeto. For Fox, i've found that that it tends to be the same announcer lady for multiple programs.

Maybe the next time the trilogy plays on tv, the DVS could be captured, it might be as easy as switching to SAP.

Here's an article about AotC's in Theater DVS:
http://ncam.wgbh.org/news/pr_05242002.html


none

If you want to see if you can hear DVS audio, here's a site which lists upcoming programming with DVS:
http://www.tv-now.com/dvs/

Article about TPM on Fox which did have DVS: http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/about/news/swepisodeone.html Also mentions that R2-D2 Under the Dome had DVS.
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I saw the ANH DVS VHS tape at my local library and rented it for fun.

It was just the full frame version of the 1992 or 1995 tape edition with the audio description playing. I guess you could just record it and just have it play over any version of the movie. In fact you don't even need the picture, just the audio, but I guess the visuals are there for any sighted person who's watching it with them.
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Hi there

It was I who originally posted the request on alt.binaries.starwars.
As stated earlier, I am a blind star wars fan from denmark, who abselutely would love to see the star wars films with the audio description soundtrack attached.

I have tryed to contact a few US libraries and WGBA, but unfortunatlly none of them were able to help me out.

I was there for hoping, that some kind soal inhere might be able to help me out in some way, as I desperattly want to get as much out of these films as possible!
I really dont need the picture, just the audio from the descriptive video.

If anyone can help out, I'd be most greatful!

Kind regards from Allan
Denmark
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Hello again.

A few thoughts I have are the audio commentaries on the Definitive Collection LaserDisc (available on the Dr Gonzo DVD release) and the 2004 DVD commentary.

This site has fan-made commentaries to play alongside the actual film soundtrack but I cannot vouch for how good they are. All 6 films are covered and they are timed to synchronise with PAL versions of the films.

Other options include the Radio Drama's which are very good and descriptive and the Story of albums too. These are only available for Eps 4, 5 and 6 and are "out there" in mp3 form to be downloaded.

Good luck in your quest and I look forward to hearing how you get on.

Finally, welcome to the forum. Hopefully you can stick around and enjoy the fun and games we all have here.........

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Hello there

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I'll deffenetlly have a listen to the fan made commentaries, I'm sure they'll be intresting with lots of anecdotes.

Regarding the radio dramas - I baught these from amazon.com a few years ago, and I was really thrilled. What an experience! Incredible sound-mix - fantastic
expantion of the storry, and some great acting - especially from Marc Hammil and Anthonny Daniels, who both reprised there roles as Luke and 3PO! I'd wish
they'd make radio dramas of the prequels too!

I have also had the opotunity to have a listen to the diffrent audio commentaries on the films. Both the ones which are avaleble on the oficial dvd-release,
and the laserdisc versions.
They're all very informative, however, they're not quite what I was looking for - namely a complete audio described version of the films.
The version which WGBA have made avaleble on video in the US, are very detailed. They explaine all sordes of things. What all of the different ships, weppons
and cretures in the galaxy look like, what the different persons are wharing, there faceual expressions under different circomstances and so forth. Everything
is of cource timed, so that the discription does not interfear with the dialouge.

I still do hope that someone inhere might be able to help out with the official audio described version in some way.

Once again, thanks for your suggestions.

Kind regards from Allan
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Surely the clever thing to do would be to source a tape/disc of the DVS version, and cap/rip the audio? Faster (and better?) than starting from scratch, I'd imagine.

How much does the DVS version cost? If it's at libraries, I wonder if there is some sort of inter-library loan system possible?

If anybody has any further info on where to buy these things, please post it! UPC codes and/or ISBN numbers, etc., would also be helpful. Without an exact UPC or something, DVS might not be the first thing quoted by a sighted cataloguer.

These editions have got to be available in more than one library, someplace other than Wisconsin.
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Hello again

Well, I've found the movies - or at leaste a new hope - in a cubble of other libraries then Wisconsin:
http://statelibrary.sc.gov/bph/dvs.html

http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17449_18641-51312--,00.html



I indeed agree with you regarding capturing the audio. It deffenetlly would be the easiest thing if someone might be able to loane the films from there library, and then capture the audio. It really would be fantastic if this could be done!

I've also tryed asking WGBA about the price for these films and if they would be able to ship oversees, but sadlly enough I have not gotten any answer yet, even though I've been emailing them several times!

Kind regards from Allan
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Hi Allan.


I found a site that may be able to help you. Check the link below.

Perkins School for the Blind

They sell or hire DVS & have Star Wars listed as available.

DV000033
STAR WARS - 1977 PG 124 min
Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) is held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and dashing Captain Han Solo (Harrison Ford) team together with the lovable robot R2-D2 and C-3PO, to rescue the beautiful princess and restore justice in the Empire. Also stars Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness. Directed by George Lukas.


Good luck. Please keep us informed of your progress.
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I listened to the audio description on the Chicken Run Region 2 DVD, and it's really well done.

I think it's a shame that although the theatrical showings of the prequel trilogy were described, meaning the description track was already bought and paid for, it was not included on any DVD release. I also think it's unfortunate that the videos of the original trilogy with description are not available outside the US.

I'm all in favour of making the original trilogy more accessible to the blind, and hope that there is someone in the US who can get hold of one of these tapes and record the audio.

Allan, out of interest, are you using a screen reader to access this forum? How well does it perform?

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Hello there

thanks for the link - I've e-mailed the library, and I'll of cource let you all know how I get on

Kind regards from Allan
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Hi Moth3r

I completely agree with you. It indeed is a shame that the dvs-videos are not avaleble outside the US, and I'm there for keeping my fingers crossed in the hope that a kind soal might be able to get a hold of the dvs-tapes of the films and record the audio. It would simply be so fantastic to be able to enjoy these films on my own, without sighted assistance!

Yes, I am using a screen reader to access this forum indeed. The one I'm using is called Jaws for windows. It has been created by freedom scientiffic and it is one of the best screen readers out theree. It performes really well in this forum.

Kind regards from allan
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Allan,
Hi. So my local library has Star Wars Episode 4, audio discriptive version. If you don't have that one yet, let me know and maybe I can help you out.
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Hi cynandude!

No, I have not mannedged to get any of the films yet. All of the mails I've sendt out to local libraries, scools for the blind, WGBA, and so forth, unfortunatlly all came back with negative responces.

I'd there for really apprishiate if you would be able to help out with getting episode 4! It would just be so fantastic finally to be able to enjoy this great film with audio description!!!

I'm hoping to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards and lots of thanks in advance!from Allan
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ok. what's your email? or you can email me at cynandude at yahoo.com. you know where to put the @ symbol. <grin>
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I have sent an inquiry to the local library system where i live. They are a fairly large library system so hopefully the response is positive. If not ill try asking at a few other libraries in surrounding counties.

Ill let you know if i have any luck.

-Darth Simon
Why Anakin really turned to the dark side:
"Anakin, You're father I am" - Yoda
"No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!" - Anakin

0100111001101001011011100110101001100001

*touchy people disclaimer*
some or all of the above comments are partially exaggerated to convey a point, none of the comments are meant as personal attacks on anyone mentioned or reference in the above post
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Hi Darth Simon

That sounds great, many thanks in advance!

I'm looking forward to hearing from you, should you have luck getting any of the films.

Kind regards from Allan
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here's the reply I got from the Library.

I am sorry to say our collection of films with DVS is rather limited we only have eleven titles.

But our neighbor the State library for the blind and physically handicapped has a much larger collection.

You can contact them by phone at 410-230-2424 or e-mail them at recept at lbph.lib.md.us

According to their website they should have Star wars IV a new hope, or just Star Wars depending on how you like to think about it.

If they do not have the other two titles please contact us and we will search further for them.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.


I have sent an inquiry to the email address they supplied for the other library

-Darth Simon
Why Anakin really turned to the dark side:
"Anakin, You're father I am" - Yoda
"No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!" - Anakin

0100111001101001011011100110101001100001

*touchy people disclaimer*
some or all of the above comments are partially exaggerated to convey a point, none of the comments are meant as personal attacks on anyone mentioned or reference in the above post
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Hi Darth Simon!

First of all, thanks so much for all of your efforts to help out - it's very much apprishiated!

in the meantime, however, some other kind soal inhere has mannedged to get me a coppy with audio description of "Episode 4 - A new hope". He got this from a local library.

However, i'm still on the look out for all of the other films with audio description, so I'd indeed apprishiaite it if you'll continue your search for any of these.

I'm not quite sure if all of the saga has been made avaleble with audio description, however, I know that at leaste the two first pre-quells should deffenatlly be avaleble on video, (and ep 3 was deffenatly audio described at the cinema).

I do hope you'll continue asking around - and once again - thanks for your help.

Kind regards from allan
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i've sent an email to both the fort worth and dallas library here in texas. a response should be fairly immediate, if not by monday for sure.

by the way, i love how individuals from this community have come together to help a fellow fan. well done.

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Originally posted by: ricardo
by the way, i love how individuals from this community have come together to help a fellow fan. well done.

My first thought when I read the initial post by Allan over on alt.binaries.starwars was that the folk here at ot.com would be the the best people on the planet to get involved in the quest.

Hopefully we will get a result but if not, we have certainly tried.........

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Originally posted by: russs15
[

Hopefully we will get a result but if not, we have certainly tried.........



And you shall all know that I really do apprishiate all of your efforts!!

Kind regards from allan
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ok allan,

here's what i've been able to drudge up so far. I have called my public library, the state library in austin, the division for blind services, the texas commission for the blind, the american foundation for the blind, and WGBH. I've heard from everyone except WGBH. The general consensus is that this DVS recording does not exist. i'm waiting on a phone call from WGBH and we shall find out. It must have existed sometime. i'm almost sure of it.

Just to keep you updated...