Approach
One method the company were keen to test for improving the accessibility of their shows was the use of captioning for hard-of- hearing audiences.
After attending the Creative Arts Digital Sandpit, hosted by LCR4.0 Holistic lead, the Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC), 20 Stories High approached the VEC to investigate a range of technologies to support the development of live transcription.
Solution
The VEC developed a proof of concept for an application that could be made available by a range of devices such as smartphones, within the theatre facility. Utilising autonomous technologies, the app can transcribe the live show in real- time, removing delays through lag times in technology or an interpreter.
There are also occasions where actors will veer off the script and improvise, which is not always efficiently interpreted when using pre-programmed devices, so the proposed application will ensure users do not miss a moment of a show.
Impact
Enabling real-time transcription allows for even more shows to become better accessible for a wider audience, which supports 20 Stories High vision and company mission, strengthening how they are perceived within the community, industry and beyond.
The VEC’s digital engineers made further recommendations for how this technology can be adapted in the future as the proof of concept can also be used toward BID and investment opportunities, having something to demonstrate and communicate the plans and vision of the company.
