Making an audio guide service usually involves script writing and editing, translation into different languages, and finally recording.

The cost for producing an audio description depends on a show's duration and complexity of narration.

In the US, each cinema spent about $10,000 for installing the audio guide facilities, according to a 2006 article in The Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind.

Tessa Lau Siu-man, executive director of Broadway, AMC & Palace, says that filmmakers also have to agree on the narration script.

Lau says that since the subject is so new, they need to explore the audio facilities needed.

"We have to explore how to do it technically. But I believe that with today's advanced technology, we must be able to do it if we want," Lau says, adding that it can start with a number of cinemas, not all, initially.

Kwan also suggests film companies use the same audio recording to make a sound track for the blind in DVD.

Kwan says that technically it is simple to add a sound track to DVD for the blind.

"It is like adding a language track," he says.

Kwan says that film makers may not need to pay extra for making a separate sound track, citing that editing studio and tape editors are rented anyway for the film production.

Kwan has made a DVD with his narration for Hong Kong Society for the Blind.

Sherry lee

(HK Edition 06/30/2010 page2)