Audio description in 360º videos

Abstract

This article discusses how audio description could be integrated into 360º videos by reporting the results from two focus groups conducted in the initial stages of the ImAc project. To involve participants in the research process, the project adopted a user-centered methodology, and a series of focus groups was conducted with professional audio describers and end users to gather feedback about their needs and expectations regarding the implementation of audio description and, secondarily, audio subtitling. Results indicate that content selection in this medium raises concerns for audio describers, and needs to be further researched. The results obtained from the end users not only highlight the need to audio describe the main action, but also their interest in having different parts of the visual scene audio described. Results also indicate that auditory cues would allow end users to orient themselves in the scene, and feel more immersed in the content presented.