Collaborative, Description-Rich Story Writing
Hosted by Amy Amantea
As a blind writer and storyteller, understanding visual detail can be an essential part of the creative process. What does it feel like to move through a shaded forest or an urban landscape? How can a blind writer build vivid, imaginative worlds for science fiction or fantasy without relying on sight?
In this Describer’s Cafe, Christine Malec and JJ Hunt share their tried-and-true collaborative process for creating description-rich stories. JJ is an audio describer, Cristine is a member of the blind community, and both are experienced storytellers. Join them for a conversation about collaboration, imagination, and access; and hear examples of their work.
Describer Cafe livestreams are free to attend. Register here to receive links and reminders to all upcoming cafes.
Describer Cafe recordings are available for viewing with a Pro D Account or on a Pay Per View basis.
Guest Bios
JJ Hunt is a story-telling, cabin-building, all-day-breakfast-eating Description Specialist living and working in fantastic downtown Toronto, Canada. For almost 25 years JJ has been describing the visuals of world around us. He started working in film and television, began hosting live events, then shifted into museum and fine art description. These days JJ does quite a lot of training, consulting, and producing. His best days involve noodling through quirky description challenges with colleagues in the Blind community, often on live tours or description-rich podcasts.
Christine Malec is a member of Toronto’s blind community, and a consultant helping arts and science organizations to make their content more inclusive. Also a podcast host, Christine runs programs for blind adults with the CNIB Foundation, and has a monthly segment on AMI Kelly and Ramya. Christine is also a musician who loves singing her heart out in Toronto’s subway system.
Christine Malec and JJ Hunt are the hosts of podcast Talk Description to Me, where their discussions plunge into current events and topical issues to explore the content of important images, and help place vivid descriptions in their cultural context. Lively, hard-hitting, witty, vibrant, and fun, this is conversation with a view! www.talkdescriptiontome.buzzsprout.com
