Below is a selection of quotes and reports from people who have discovered - or rediscovered - the joys of cinemagoing, thanks to subtitles and audio description.
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After losing most of my sight four years ago I gave up on cinema - only to discover audio description some months later. I've since watched many more films. Watching 'Avatar' I felt just like one of the crowd, reacting with amazement just like the other people in the cinema. I actually felt like I had my vision back.
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I know quite a few people who, like me, have become disabled in the prime of their lives. I served in Iraq, came home last year with permanent damage to my hearing. I can still enjoy music, it's just not as clear as it used to be. I find I now read a lot of song lyrics! Never really bothered before. Same with films. I can still enjoy them with a little 'assistance'. In this case, subtitles. I only go to the cinema now if the film is subtitled. Thankfully most are these days.
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Audio described cinema is great because it's made me want to go to the cinema again. It lets me spin a web with Charlotte, jump from a crane with Bond and ride the Hogwarts Express with Harry. It's like someone has finally turned the light on.
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A Christmas Carol in 3D was superb. Being deaf and loving the cinema I want to be able to view the best things possible just as someone that had their hearing would and be able to enjoy it. Why should I miss out on the dialogue despite the 3D? Thankfully, the subtitles were great. I'm looking forward to Avatar now.
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Christmas Carol 3D was the kind of thing cinema was made for! A spectacle for the eyes and thankfully the ears. The subtitles were fantastic and being able to read the film as you would Dickens' novel was brilliant.
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I enjoyed A Christmas Carol a lot. I would not have a clue what was being said without subtitles. I can hear well with my digital hearing aids, compared to many deaf people I know, but the unfamiliar oldie style Dickens words would have been lost on me without subtitles. I've missed so many 3D films because they're never subtitled so this has been a great experience for me.
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I really loved a christmas carol in 3-D with subtitles on the screen. The 3D popped out at me and it was scary in places. The subtitles meant I could follow what was happening in the loud bits.
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I'm profoundly deaf (from meningitis). I can speak clearly but rely on lip-reading or subtitles to understand what people are saying. I'm the only deaf person in my family of film fans and I enjoy 3D films a lot. My family usually wait for the subtitled film to be shown in our town, or nearby, so I can join them for a fun a popcorn munching few hours. But the younger ones couldn't wait to see A Christmas Carol in 3D. So I missed out on the family cinema visit.
But I'm still happy that I have seen it now. Usually 3D films are out of bounds for me, so it's great that they are now being subtitled. I'm looking forward to Toy Story 3 and Avatar in 3D and I don't mind paying the extra few pounds for 3D if the film is subtitled. It would be nice if the film was available with subtitles at release date, so I can watch it with my family. They definitely won't wait for me for those two films.
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Audio described cinema is great because it allows me as a blind person to gain access to films. I don't have to rely on having my wife or friends describe for me anymore, which I am sure improves their watching experience.
I remember when I was a young lad watching a movie with my mum. I noticed on a number of occasions my mum went quiet. I later learned that this was because the actors were getting up to naughties! Now of course all scenes of this nature are described (whoopee!).
On a more serious note having experienced audio description I now realise on how much I have missed out on watching films. The ability to choose what I watch is liberating.
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Audio described cinema is wonderful, not just because it allows me to enjoy movies but to discuss them with sighted friends afterwards. Through cinema audio description, I have been able to follow up the recommendation of a friend who gushed about the beauty of the visuals in Volver. Conversely, I have been able to return the favour by plugging the striking images in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.
It doesn’t matter that I couldn’t ‘see’ them – the description was so vivid that I can still imagine Brad Pitt shooting into the ice, causing a puff of smoke to rise, or Casey Affleck in a rocking chair. When accompanying sighted friends, I can enjoy the car chase in Casino Royale and the decapitation by helicopter blade in 28 Weeks Later, relying on my memories of being a sighted gorehound.
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My Grandad was a big film fan (Dad too) and I grew up with lots of books, magazines etc on films, and cinema in general. But being deaf (thanks to meningitis) I could never get the full 'cinema experience'. My Grandad (also very deaf, thanks to his 'advancing years') used to say it was better for people like us a hundred years ago, when silent films were around, as they had caption cards on the screen! I missed out on many films at the cinema, which I have since watched on DVD, with subtitles.
I really believe that if my Grandad was still alive today he would be joining my Dad and I on our regular trips to the cinema. Because captioned cinema has returned! I now understand why and how they were entranced by the 'magic' of cinema. As the great Charlie Chaplin said: "Nothing quite like it - the feeling of film"
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As the only deaf member of a family of six, I grew up feeling very isolated when it came to a family outing to the cinema. I put up with until I was fourteen years old and then decided that there was no point in me being there. I just couldn't follow what was going on. It was more frustrating than enjoyable.
A few years went by and I resigned myself to the fact that my movie watching would be limited to rentals, on DVD (all popular DVD films are subtitled). Then last year a few cinemas in nearby towns installed subtitle equipment. I can't explain what a difference this has made to me. I now HAVE a social life! Almost every week there is something I fancy - with subtitles.
I'm a bit too old to participate in a 'family outing' to the cinema now, but I have some good friends who are happy to catch a film a week or two after release date. They wait for the subtitled show to appear, so I can join them. I am very grateful to the cinemas that have enabled me to enjoy their films - thanks a bunch!
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I love subtitled cinema! Without it I haven't a hope of enjoying the 'big screen' experience. I am profoundly deafened and use a cochlear implant. Have you ever tried lip-reading animated characters? Or listening to speech in a thunderstorm? Chances are, there will be comments you'll miss.
For someone like me, however, without subtitles, I might just as well not bother. All the witticisms? Forget it. Didn't 'catch' them. Let alone the dialogue that carries the narrative along...
I will never forget my first subtitled screenings: Shrek and Harry Potter. Wow! At last, I was able to watch the latest movies at the same time as everyone else, not ages down the line when they'd all moved on to something else! So, please, please, please keep the subtitled films coming. Deaf people enjoy the same films as everyone else – if they have the opportunity.
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Being blind, I always hated going to the cinema. All my friends enjoyed the film and most of the time I had no idea what was going on. They would tell me what was happening on screen but I still couldn't follow the film. I would have to wait until it came on DVD, or on TV, and hope it had audio description there.
I only heard about audio description at the cinema a while ago and on my tenth birthday me and my friends went to see 'Ice Age 2', with audio description, just for me, through headphones.
We did the usual, getting popcorn and drinks, and sat down in the cinema. For the first time watching a movie on the big screen I was able to understand it all. I could see creatures against the white landscapes as a blur, and the description really brought them to life! Sid made me happy, Manny made me sad, and Scrat made me laugh out loud. The person doing the audio description spoke all the words loud and clear, even over the sounds of the movie. It was just great! It really helped me to see what every character, mountain and ice slope looked like.
I've since seen 'Monster House', 'Over the Hedge' and 'Happy Feet' with audio description, but I think 'Ice Age 2' will always be one of my favourites, because it was the film that made me want to go to the cinema again and again.
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I turned 15 recently and was really looking forward to seeing a subtitled '15' movie for the first time in the cinema, but things always got in the way. Subtitled shows are sometimes not shown at the best of times. I missed 'Children of Men', which I heard was really good.
So imagine my excitement when I was finally able to see my first '15' movie - 'Borat'. I had heard so much about it from my hearing friends and I just couldn't wait to see it.
The movie was hilarious. A lot of the dialogue was in a foreign language and subtitled anyway, which was handy, but when Borat spoke in his broken English accent, it was impossible for me to understand. And his ridiculous moustache didn't help my lipreading!
The subtitles throughout the film were fantastic, none of them missing, and all as clear as on TV or DVD. It adds to the funniness of the film when you see his trademark words subtitled, such as 'Jagshemash!'.
It's great that so many films are coming to cinemas now with subtitles. Foreign language ones such as 'Pan's Labyrinth; are great, but I like to see a different 'regular' film every month or so with my friends. I'd like to thank everyone who has made it possible for me and other hearing (and visually) impaired people in the UK to enjoy the cinema.
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Having subtitled trailers is FANTASTIC. I am a hearing-impaired screenwriter and this is the first time I've been able to understand the trailers. Please pass along my thanks to you and all your sponsors. Thank you!
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Subtitled cinema has lead to me being able to see films with friends and family in the cinema. This is a wonderful service that offers a new freedom and closes an old exclusion.
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I love subtitled cinema! Without it I haven't a hope of enjoying the big-screen experience. Have you ever tried lip-reading animated characters?
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My profoundly deaf mother had given up trying to lip-read movie stars years ago. At a subtitled show her eyes flickered into life... Two glorious hours, and finally my mother and I have rekindled our cinema habit. She is now in her seventies; I'm approaching my forties. It may have been some time coming, but damn was it worth it.
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I can't explain what a difference this has made to me. I have a better social life! Almost every week there is something I fancy - with subtitles.
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Subtitles at the cinema mean I can enjoy, not endure, the movie. With subtitles I can get lost in the movie, rather than the movie being lost on me. Going to the cinema without subtitles for me would be like a short-sighted person going to watch a movie without their glasses!
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Audio described cinema is wonderful because it allows me to enjoy movies and discuss them with sighted friends afterwards.
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Audio described cinema is great because it allows me as a blind person to gain access to films. I don't have to rely on having friends describe for me anymore, which I am sure improves their watching experience.
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Subtitled cinema is fantastic because I can watch, cry and laugh with my friends when watching a film. I know what's being talked about when discussing the film afterwards.
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I had taken my 9 year old daughter, who is blind, to see a film without audio description and described it to her myself. This, as you can imagine, is very draining and not exactly a perfect alternative. She was keen to see the film again with audio description so she went to see it a second time. She thoroughly enjoyed it and it was far more relaxing for me. Life is difficult enough for a blind child and their family, they have to make a big effort just to get out of the house and interact with other people
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I love subtitled cinema because we can visit the cinema as a social event with the whole family instead of having to wait for the film to be released on dvd. It is a real treat and we also see lots of deaf people who we wouldn't see but for the cinema
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For the first time in my life I actually enjoyed my time at the movies with my boyfriend. We used to go to regular movies but as I can't hear
anymore, it was tough for me. I'm so happy now, this is what I have been waiting for all along.:::::::::
Subtitles have enabled me for the first time in many years to enjoy something and feel totally included. As a deaf person it's very easy to feel excluded and isolated.
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Audio description is changing the world for the visually impaired in a fantastic way. It allows that extra bit of independence and quality of life to be reintroduced so you no longer have to feel left out and shy away from film discussions with friends/colleagues.
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Movies are 1,000% better when I can follow the dialogue.
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I'm deaf and need to rely on on-screen subtitles when it comes to watching a film in the cinema. I don't have to worry about missing anything!
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Subtitled cinema is fabulous because without it I would have missed Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom! I have often shunned the wonderfully social past-time of cinema-going in recent years because of my hearing loss. But now it's wonderful to be able to relax and follow the film without straining to hear what the characters are saying.
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I will never forget my first subtitled screenings: Shrek and Harry Potter. Wow! At last, I was able to watch the latest movies at the same time as everyone else, not ages down the line when they'd all moved on to something else!
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My 5 year old daughter lost her sight last year due to a brain tumor. My son is always eager to see the latest films, so it's great that cinemas now have audio description, we can go to the cinema as a family.
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Being blind, I always hated going to the cinema. All my friends enjoyed the film and most of the time I had no idea what was going on. They would tell me what was happening on screen but I still couldn't follow the film. Now it's great! It has really helped me to see what every character looks like. It makes me want to go to the cinema again and again.
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It's great that so many films are coming to cinemas now with subtitles. I like to see a different film every month or so with my friends. I'd like to thank everyone who has made it possible for me and other hearing (and visually) impaired people in the UK to enjoy the cinema.
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Fact is that as we age, loss of some hearing or sight is inevitable... Access to film via subtitles & audio description is something that we all may appreciate, eventually
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Ever tried lip-reading a fish, a bee or an ogre? Sitting in the cinema with a face like a split welly when everyone else is laughing? Subtitles at the cinema mean I can ENJOY - not endure the movie! With subtitles I can get lost in the movie rather than the movie being lost on me!
Going to the cinema without subtitles for me would be like a short sighted person going to watch a movie without their glasses! Is it a fish? Is it an Ogre? No, it's Johnny Depp...
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I have lost my sight. You think I can't enjoy the cinema? Imagine the scariest film you know, only SCARIER!
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Without subtitles we just watch the pictures, and have to guess the story
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Just to say a big thank you for subtitled films. My first was a Christmas film - Polar Express. I sat in rapture watching it - and I'm 64! Cant tell you how much it is appreciated. Thanks again.
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My best audio description experience was my first. The whole experience came alive as the commentary reintegrated my partial view of the screen with what was going on. For once I totally understood the film, taking in all those significant non-dialogue moments that are so important to understanding the film. Audio description has rekindled my passion for the cinema.
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Think what it must be like to have to watch every movie in a foreign language, with no subtitles. That's what it's like for deaf people, without subtitles
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I gave up attending films because I was so, so frustrated not being able to understand what the stories were about. Now I can now enjoy films on a par with hearing people. I am able to share my passionate conversation with my work colleagues and I even recommend films they should go and see.
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Subtitled cinema is great but we need much more of it please. It really makes all the difference in the world to people like myself with a severe hearing loss and opens up the world of the big screen again.
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My daughter and I are both deaf, subtitled cinema has been fantastic for us both and we are now able to enjoy going to the cinema, before we always waited for the film to come out on DVD. we both really look forward to going to the cinema. We find subtitled cinema a fantastic opportunity which we both really enjoy and we are now able to experience going to the cinema with other family members as well which is something that we have never done before.
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I love subtitled cinema because I can share stories about recent films with my hearing friends. Makes a change from being isolated.
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For years I found going to the cinema a less enjoyable experience than my hearing peers. I always lost the plot because not every one looks at the camera or ensures that they keep their faces visible. But now the cinema experience is at my disposal and I have somewhere to go out to in the evenings.
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Subtitled cinema is wonderful because it brings a whole new meaning and enjoyment to watching our favourite films.
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Subtitled cinema is fantastic because I can watch, cry and laugh with my friends when watching a film. There's no 'What was that?' 'What did she say?' It's fabulous. It's fabulous. I know what's being talked about when discussing the film afterwards.
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My first experience of a subtitled film in a cinema was an experience I will never forget. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
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Subtitled cinema is the best thing since sliced bread! (for deaf people). Does anyone realise what it is like to have to wait for the DVD to come out? Before subtitled shows we could not go to the cinema. But now we are at most subtitled films.
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Nothing can beat watching a subtitled family movie with my son. Watching films like Bee Movie, Stardust and Ratatouille has become part of our lives and not just a bonus.
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Subtitled films are brilliant because I get to see the films as they are released. I saw the Simpsons last summer, d'oh! Being able to
access the big screen and to see the Simpson family in it's technicolour glory was amazingly funny!:::::::::
My partner is hard of hearing and has not been to the pictures for 30 years. It's nice to hear that some cinemas now do films for people with hard of hearing
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I work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, and I am married to a non English speaking person. A night at the movies is very enjoyable and in this climate it can be the only night out that people can afford.
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My sister is deaf and she needs subtitling. To have a cinema which can offer the 'movie' experience to us both is brilliant. We take it in turns to pick which films to see. Fabulous.
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I have loved films and the cinema for as long as I can remember but as my sight has deteriorated over the last few years I have found film-going more and more frustrating and confusing. I would come out saying "What happened".
My best audio description experience was my first. The film I went to see was 'The Village'. The whole experience came alive as the commentary reintegrated my partial view of the screen with what was going on.
For once I totally understood the film, taking in all those significant non-dialogue moments that are so important to understanding the film. Audio description has rekindled my passion for the cinema.
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Sounds a good idea to me. My husband needs subtitles on tv.
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Subtitled cinema is the best thing since sliced bread! (for deaf people). Does anyone realise what it is like to have to wait for the DVD to come out so you can have subtitles ? My two daughters and I all have deafness. Before subtitled shows we could not go to the cinema. But now we are at most subtitled showings.
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I think this is an excellent idea. My hearing has got worse over the years and I rely on subtitles to understand. Now I can add Cinemas to my list of "Things To Do"
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Love it, last one went to see was Damned United. Being a football fan enjoyed it but not without the help of subtitles. Enjoyable evening out. Can't wait see more films.
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I'm Italian. Just arrived in London to live. Subtitled films help me to a lot! (hope not forever)
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My mother is deaf and I was able to take her to the cinema for the first time in 30 years this year - she was thrilled!
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First time l have been able to enjoy a film since suddenly losing hearing It's brought a bit of normality into my otherwise quiet world.
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Wonderful!!! It was my first time last week! I'm profoundly deaf all my life so It was amazing to find this out now! I'm a big fan of cinema.
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Today, I saw a subtitled cinema film for the first time. Being Profoundly Deaf I was amazed how easy it was to follow the story and how helpful the subtitles were. My grateful thanks for installing the equipment ... Thank you for this boost to my self esteem and confidence.
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Brilliant, my wife has no hearing at at all and has not been able to enjoy the cinema for 11 years.
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Having subtitles makes my life worthwhile having a night out going to a cinema!!
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Brilliant, can be part of the audience to enjoy the film and absorb my thoughts to experience the thrill, emotions or fear.
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It is wonderful that they have subtile movies. It makes it more enjoyable, to understand whats happening. Thanks for providing this opportunity for those who need subtitles, I am deaf and love it. Keep it going.
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I work at an independent living project for young deaf adults with additional disabilities. Our staff (some deaf) and residents make frequent trips to the cinema, and get so much more from their visit when the film is subtitled.
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Subtitled films are great for my wife (who is hard of hearing) and myself. Our visits to the cinema are much more frequent and, for my wife particularly, much more enjoyable. Thanks!
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Deaf Scout Group which had 59 youth Deaf members since it was founded. Many of our members are excited and eagerly awaiting the new Harry Potter film - subtitled. Thank you!
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I've been to see loads of films with my hearing son who is 9 years old (I am deaf). It's BRILLIANT to watch the films with subtitles.
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My deaf son is 10 yrs old and in mainstream school. It has made a huge difference to him to see a subtitled film at the cinema and actually be able to follow the plot!
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For years I found going to the cinema a less enjoyable experience than my hearing peers, I always lost the plot with movies because not every one looks at the camera or ensures that they keep their faces visible. Now the cinema experience is at my disposal.
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More quotes here:
http://www.yourlocalcinema.com/quotes.more.1.new.html
Complaints? Praise? Please add your comments.::::::::::::
About cinema subtitles & audio description.
"Fact is that as we age, loss of some hearing or sight is
inevitable... Access to film via subtitles & audio description is
something that we all may appreciate, eventually"Cinema subtitles (properly known as captions) are displayed along the
bottom of the cinema screen. They include the spoken text as well as
descriptions of sounds such as 'door creaks', 'footsteps approaching',
'gunshot' etc.Cinema audio description is a recorded narration which explains
- in gaps in the dialogue - what's happening on screen.
It's delivered through wireless headphones - only the wearer
hears the audio description soundtrack.One blind cinema-goer has likened the experience to listening to
a Harry Potter audio book, but with all the actors voicing their own parts,
and the addition of the film soundtrack - in fabulous surround sound."It's the accessible cinema experience:
SEE the dialogue! HEAR the action!"Subtitled & audio described cinema:
http://www.yourlocalcinema.com
Daily Mail, British Telecom, National Lottery. Details here
