Mason Blake
Closed captions are an alternative method used to convey information from video content. They are becoming more integrated in the film industry, with more and more movie theatres adopting closed captioning services. Closed captions are not only crucial for individuals with hearing loss but are also useful when televisions must be quiet or muted. They represent the text of the speech as well as the non-speech elements, such as background sounds or sound effects, that characters in the video portray. In theatres, closed captions are displayed on a separate device that the viewer can request from the theatre, making the captions visible to them but not to the general audience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To make movies accessible to deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers |
| Text | Captions include speech, non-speech elements, background sounds, and sound effects |
| Devices | Hand-held devices, mirrors, smart glasses, screens |
| Benefits | Makes movies accessible to viewers with hearing disabilities, helps in environments with a lot of background noise, or when the television must be quiet or muted |
| Drawbacks | Devices can be uncomfortable, take time to start, glitch, or malfunction |
| Social media | 41% of videos are incomprehensible without sound or closed captions; viewers scroll past if there are no captions |
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What You'll Learn
Closed captions and audio descriptions
In movie theatres, closed captions are usually provided through individual devices that display the captions text for the viewer. These devices can be miniature screens that can be mounted in the cup holder, mirrors placed in the cup holder that reflect captions at the back of the cinema, or smart glasses with captions displayed at the bottom. However, these devices sometimes malfunction or run out of battery, causing frustration for the user.
Open captions, on the other hand, are subtitles that are projected directly onto the movie screen and are always visible to all viewers. While open captions are beneficial for not only the deaf community but also individuals with autism, attention deficit disorders, or auditory neuropathy, they are rarely used in movie theatres. AMC Theatres is one of the latest to adopt this practice.
The use of closed captions has become increasingly common, with platforms like YouTube and Facebook providing mechanisms for viewers to add closed captions to videos. 41% of videos are incomprehensible without sound or closed captions, and viewers tend to scroll past videos that lack closed captions. Closed captions also make it easier to create translations into other languages, helping to expand the reach of the content.
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Closed captions in movie theatres
There are a variety of closed-captioning devices that cinemas use to provide captions to their patrons. One such device is a small screen that fits into the cup holder and can be adjusted to the viewer's liking. Another option is a pair of glasses that the viewer wears, with the captions displayed on the screen of the glasses. These glasses can be worn over prescription glasses and allow the wearer to watch the movie with captions superimposed at the bottom of their field of view. Some theatres also offer open captions, which are subtitles burned into the film itself and are visible to all viewers.
While closed-captioning devices have been praised for improving accessibility, they have also been criticised for their technical issues and user experience problems. Devices may take time to start up, malfunction, or run out of battery, causing frustration for viewers and potentially causing them to miss parts of the movie.
Open captions have been advocated for by some as a solution to the issues presented by closed-captioning devices. However, others argue that open captions are too costly or distracting. Despite the ongoing debate, many cinemas have started offering closed-captioning devices and open captions to improve accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons.
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Open captions vs. closed captions
Captions, sometimes referred to as subtitles, closed captions, or open captions, are prevalent on various platforms, including video games, television, video software, and streaming services. The difference between open and closed captions is essential to understand when producing video content.
Open captions are captions that are burned into the video track and are always visible on the screen. They are added to the actual pixels of the video using video-editing software. These captions cannot be turned off and are useful for viewers with hearing loss. Open captions are often used for translating foreign languages or when a movie is screened in a language unfamiliar to the audience. They are also used when closed captioning is not supported by a website or device. However, some viewers may find them distracting, and the lack of customisation options can be a drawback.
Closed captions, on the other hand, are supplied as metadata or an additional file, separate from the video track. This allows viewers to turn the captions on or off according to their preference. Closed captions are highly customisable, allowing users to select fonts, colours, backgrounds, sizes, and placements to suit their needs. They are the most common type of captioning and are offered as an option in almost every video-viewing experience. In movie theatres, closed captions are provided through individual devices that display the text for the viewer.
The decision between open and closed captions depends on the desired viewing experience and accessibility requirements. While closed captions offer viewer control and flexibility, open captions provide a permanently inclusive experience, ensuring that all viewers can understand the content, regardless of their hearing abilities or the device they are using.
It is worth noting that the terms "captions", "closed captions", and ""subtitles" are often used interchangeably in everyday language. However, within the transcription industry and among deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers, these terms have specific meanings. "Captions" refer to transcriptions that include both dialogue and sound effects, while "subtitles" typically refer to transcriptions of just the dialogue.
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Closed captions and subtitles
Closed captions are typically displayed on a separate device that the viewer can request from the theatre, such as a miniature screen that mounts on the viewer's seat or smart glasses that display the captions at the bottom. Closed captions include text representing speech as well as non-speech elements like background sounds, sound effects, and gestures. They are also useful for viewers who are not deaf or hard of hearing, such as in hospitals where televisions must be quiet or muted.
Open captions are another type of captioning where the captions are projected along with the film for everyone in the theatre to see without the need for extra devices. While open-captioned showings are rare, they are beneficial not only for the deaf community but also for individuals with autism, attention deficit disorders, or auditory neuropathy.
Overall, closed captioning and subtitles play a crucial role in making video content more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.
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Benefits of closed captions
Closed captions are a powerful tool for promoting inclusivity in the digital world. They are a written version of the spoken words in a video, displayed in time with what's happening on screen. They can be switched on or off, giving viewers control over their viewing experience. Here are some of the key benefits of closed captions:
Improved Accessibility
Closed captions were created to accommodate viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, allowing them to access and understand video content. With more than 48 million Americans experiencing some degree of hearing loss, closed captions are essential for ensuring your message reaches a wider audience.
Enhanced Engagement
Closed captions have been proven to increase engagement with video content. They can help capture the attention of viewers, especially in situations where the audio is off or not available, such as when scrolling through social media or watching videos on mute. By providing a transcription of the dialogue and important audio cues, closed captions enable viewers to quickly understand the content and decide if they want to continue watching.
Learning and Comprehension
Closed captions have been found to be beneficial for learning and comprehension, not just for students or viewers with disabilities but also for those without reported disabilities. They can aid in information retention, accuracy, and focus, enhancing the overall viewing or learning experience.
Search Engine Optimization
Closed captions can boost search engine optimization (SEO) for video content. Search engines can read captions, making videos with closed captions more discoverable in search results. This can increase the visibility and reach of your content, attracting a larger audience.
Flexibility and Customization
Closed captions offer users the option to customize their viewing experience. They can be toggled on or off and often allow for user-initiated resizing, accommodating viewers with different needs and preferences. Closed caption files can also display text in multiple languages, making content accessible to diverse language communities simultaneously.
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Frequently asked questions
Closed captions are displayed on a separate device that viewers can request from the theatre, making them visible only to the user and not the general audience. Open captions, on the other hand, are projected directly on the screen along with the movie, making them visible to everyone in the theatre.
Yes, closed-captioned movies do have sound. Closed captions are primarily meant for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing them with a transcript of the audio portion of the movie.
Theatres have invented various devices to provide closed captions to viewers, such as miniature screens that can be mounted on the user's seat, smart glasses with captions displayed at the bottom, or mirrors placed in cup holders that reflect captions from the back of the theatre.
