A clipper depicting filmmaking opportunities for the blind | Photo by Erik Uruci
Gone are the times when blindness was perceived as inherently limited in the creative realm of filmmaking. Conveying stories is not limited to visuals. The art of storytelling can come in the form of sound, dialogue, and other sensory-rich elements.
Progress in the film industry announced filmmaking opportunities for the blind. Over the years, inclusive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals has been continuously progressive.
We’re overjoyed to know that blind individuals are given equal opportunities not just in film but in other disciplines of art as well. “Born Blind” by David Block gives us an inspirational, fresh perspective on the successful community integration among blind individuals. It’s a collection of stories, blending fiction and non-fiction, that reflect the reality of the lives of blind individuals.
The Challenges
In the past, blind filmmakers had to endure technical barriers because specialized tools were less accessible. Screen readers, voice-activated editing software, and audio feedback systems were very expensive.
However, it doesn’t end there. Misconception is also another barrier. Back then, there was a lack of awareness about how blind filmmakers work. As such, blind individuals weren’t given collaborative opportunities and were often underrepresented in the industry.
Room for Opportunity
Despite that, those challenges revealed an opportunity for the film industry to evolve and embrace diverse perspectives in filmmaking. The art of filmmaking goes beyond sight and traditional visual storytelling methods.
Time after time, art for the visually impaired and blind is innovating. In filmmaking, a number of technologies and tools have been made available, giving rise to filmmaking opportunities for the blind.
A List of Filmmaking Opportunities for the Blind
What jobs are good for the blind?
The craft of filmmaking starts by appreciating the art. Luckily, efforts have been made to make film and television accessible to the blind and visually impaired. With the increasing accessibility of specialized tools for the blind, the film industry has broadened its career market to them.
1. Screenwriting
This job does not rely much on visual elements. Screenwriting is more focused on dialogue, character development, and narrative structure.
2. Directing with Audio Guidance
Auditory cues and audio feedback can be leveraged to provide filmmaking opportunities for the blind. In this role, blind filmmakers can focus on voice acting, sound effects, and musical scoring to evoke emotion.
3. Sound Design
As the name of the job implies, this role centers on audio elements rather than visuals. The goal of sound designers is to craft audio environments for films, creating moods, emphasizing emotions, and enhancing narrative storytelling.
Maybe your loved one has the potential to be a sound designer.
4. Audio Description and Script Writing
By understanding the needs of the audience, blind writers can excel in crafting narratives that describe visual elements. By describing scenes, actions, and expressions, blind storytellers allow others to “see” the story audibly.
5. Film Criticism and Reviewing
With a focus on narrative, sound design, and dialogue, blind individuals can pursue careers as film critics. They bring a unique perspective to the way we view films. Again, films also touch on the non-visual aspects of storytelling—which are often the most crucial part of films.
6. Editing with Audio Cues
Because of the increasing accessibility of audio editing tools, filmmaking opportunities for the blind are also on the rise. The primary role of this position is manipulating audio tracks, transitions, and dialogues in order to build story flow and emotion.
7. Script Consulting
Blind individuals can provide a unique and profound opinion on the story structure, character arcs, and dialogue quality. Working as script consultants, blind individuals can help ensure scripts are engaging even without relying on visual aspects.
8. Producing
Even in the more technical aspects of filmmaking, blind individuals can excel. Equipped with strong organizational and leadership skills and with the aid of specialized tools, blind producers can effectively manage teams, coordinate schedules, and make key creative decisions with visual artists.
These are just a few of the many options available for the blind in the filmmaking industry. In the future, we’re hoping that the far-reaching evolution of technology will bring more inclusive opportunities for the blind and all individuals with disabilities.
The Real Stories
There are other real individuals who are making a difference in the industry despite being legally blind. In addition to the characters in “Born Blind: The Traumas and The Triumphs” by David Block and the author himself, the likes of Gough and Dennis Jonathan Dalyop are making a name in the industry amidst challenges.
On a side note, are you interested in making films about individuals with disabilities? Discover innovative strategies for making films about disability from last month’s blog.
Hopes for the Future
Technological advancement is unstoppable. And may this bring positive changes for all of us. That in the filmmaking industry, the blind will not be limited to non-visual aspects of the job.
That in the future, a specialized device will be created to enable the blind to see, much like the development of hearing-aid devices for the deaf and mute we have today.
Before we end this blog, you might want to hear more about David Block’s stories. If so, then please get a copy of his book in select bookstores right away.
Runner’s Gazette November 27, 2024
Loevner and Florio Win 2024 Philadelphia Marathon
By David Block (observing from the press truck and interviewing the men’s and women’s winners)
For the first 19 miles of the Philadelphia Marathon, no one on the pace vehicle even tried to guess which runners would break away. When the race began, ten male elite runners were up front. As the marathon progressed, the number of elites leading the pack decreased. The number dropped to eight, six, five, and then before the 19-mile mark, only four were left.
After the lead foursome hit the 19-mile mark in Manayunk with a 1:38:37 clocking, Feyissa Mulgeta of Ethiopia broke away. For the next 6 miles, nobody challenged him. He was running by himself without anyone gaining on him.
At the 22-mile mark on Kelly Drive, Feyissa posted 1:53:42. He was alone. At 23 miles, his time was 1:58:54. His 24-mile split was 2:04:25. He hit the 25-mile mark in 2:09:50.
It seemed as though it was going to be Feyissa’s day to take home the $10,000 first place cash prize, but William Loevner of Pittsburgh had other ideas. He caught up to Feyissa and eventually passed him. Feyissa failed to catch him.
Loevner won, posting a 2:16:12 clocking, and was now $10,000 richer. Feyissa had to settle for the second-place consolation cash prize of $7,500.
“I wasn’t worried about winning or losing,” said Loevner. “I just ran my own race. I was just going to run to the best of my ability and be happy with whatever place I got. I was 4th last year (2:16:51). This year I wanted to do better.” Loevner shaved 39 seconds off of last year’s finishing time.
Not only the spectators and pace truck’s passengers surprised to see Loevner win. “I was shocked I caught up to him,” said Loevner. “I’m still in shock.”
Asked how he planned to spend the $10,000, Loevner answered that he and his wife were going to spend a lot of it on their first baby, due January 7. Loevner knows that he will eventually buy his baby some running shoes.
In the women’s field, Katie Florio won the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon with a new personal best of 2:32:42. Her previous PR was 2:35:07 which she ran at the 2022 California International Marathon.
“I wasn’t expecting to do that well today (at this year’s Philly Marathon) because I had a baby last fall,” said Florio. “I didn’t know how fast I could run.” Another reason for Florio’s guarded optimism was that she finished third at the 2019 Philadelphia Marathon with a considerably slower finishing time of 2:40:47.
She remembered a problem that she had to contend with when she ran this marathon in 2019. From the five to seven-mile mark on Chestnut Street, huge crowds cheered for her and the other marathoners for nearly that whole stretch. The cheers compelled her to run at a faster pace than she intended. Unfortunately for Rodden (her then maiden name), the cheers made her pay less attention to the fact that during that two-mile stretch, she was steadily running up hill. By mile seven, after turning onto 34th Street, the hill suddenly became incredibly steep. Moreover, the streets were no longer lined with cheering spectators. Despite that inconvenience, Florio was still happy with her performance that day. She told this Mainlinemedianews.com writer that she would be more careful the next time she ran the Philadelphia Marathon.
Midway through the race this past Sunday, Florio and second place woman finisher Aberu Mekuria Zennebe of Ethiopia, 2:33:26, kept battling for the lead. They kept taking the lead from each other up until they hit the 22-mile mark on Kelly Drive.
“I knew that I had to get away from her before the end, because she has a strong finishing kick,” said Florio.
After passing Zennebe at 22 miles, Florio did not look back, not even one time, to see if Zennebe were gaining on her. Had she looked back, she wouldn’t have seen Zennebe. Florio beat Zennebe by 44 seconds.
After Florio crossed the finish line, she had to sit down for several minutes; she was utterly exhausted. After recovering, she happily spoke with the media.
Florio received a total of $11,000 after winning the marathon, $10,000 for finishing first and the additional $1,000.00 was for being the first female Philadelphia resident to finish.
Zennebe had to settle for the second-place consolation prize of $7,500.
Florio said that the money will go toward a huge family vacation.
Top Women
1. 2:32:44 Katie Florio, 31, Philadelphia
2. 2:33:28 Aberu Mekuria Zennebe, 40, Ethiopia
3. 2:35:30 Elizabeth Chikotas, 28, Harrisonburg, VA
4. 2:42:51 Anne Johnston, 44, St. John’s, NFLD, Canada
5. 2:44:08 Stephanie Diacovo, 31, New York, NY
6. 2:44:46 Melanie Vlasic, 28, Hatfield, PA
7. 2:45:14 Christine Mancini, 23, Media, PA
8. 2:45:45 Lindsey Oremus, 27, Eagleville, PA
9. 2:45:48 Amber Zimmerman, 32, Philadelphia
10. 2:47:14 Lauren Kelly, 34, Philadelphia
11. 2:47:58 Kristen Travers, 26, Jersey City, NJ
12. 2:48:48 Maggie Drazba, 29, Denver, CO
13. 2:49:25 Elise Ramirez, 27, New York, NY
14. 2:49:33 Jenna Wolfrum, 25, Milwaukee, WI
15. 2:50:30 Samantha Snukis, 38, Lititz, PA
Top Men
1. 2:16:13 William Loevner, 27, Pittsburgh, PA
2. 2:16:41 Feyissa Mulgeta, 28, Ethiopia
3. 2:16:57 Rahal Bouchfar, 24, Morocco
4. 2:20:57 Ben Fleischer, 24, Scotch Plains, NJ
5. 2:21:28 Jordan Daniel, 29, Westhampton, NY
6. 2:21:32 Milan Duka, 31, Stamford, CT (Serbia)
7. 2:22:59 David Troy, 24, Philadelphia, PA (Ireland)
8. 2:23:28 Guta Abiyote, 39, Ethiopia
9. 2:23:37 Stephen Paddock, 30, Raleigh, NC
10. 2:24:00 Steve Jordan, 32, West Chester, PA
11. 2:24:13 Evan Addison, 24, Arlington, VA
12. 2:25:08 Joshua Estrada, 33, Fort Lauderdale, FL
13. 2:25:14 Phil Parrot-Migas, 31, London, ON, Canada
14. 2:25:31 Phil Harris, 29, Concord, MA
15. 2:25:42 William Rehrig, 31, Middletown, DE