Specific offerings at the bottom of this page. Or Jump to the Portfolio section here.
I ensure blind people enjoy watching videos.
The most compelling and unique aspect my work is my nuanced expertise in balancing voices to create inclusive, emotionally impactful storytelling through audio description (AD). This expertise positions me not only as a consultant who helps companies navigate the complexities of voice integration but also as someone who champions accessibility as a strategic advantage.
I’m not just offering technical solutions— I’m helping companies unlock new markets, deepen audience engagement, and enhance brand loyalty through the irreplaceable emotional power of human voices while guiding them through the appropriate use of AI. For more on consulting services, visit the consulting page.
Many years ago, my friend lost all his eyesight during his final weeks in a battle against cancer.
Instead of talking about his procedures, problems, and challenges, we laughed together about what happened in the latest episode of our favorite TV show.
We didn’t have to stop and explain what was happening – he used audio description (AD), giving him the play by play of what happens on screen.
While I’ve performed in AD for movies and TV shows for years, this is when it hit home.
Are you looking for expanding your skillset to include AD performance? Have you found your AD work stagnating, and need a little boost of encouragement or some practical action steps?
As a producer, performer, and advocate for AD myself, I use my decades of experience in entertainment media to jump start sustainable parity opportunities for AD professionals and audiences.
? Founder of Audio Description Discussion Group – Leading a community of 3,500+ focused on AD quality and excellence.
? Host of “The ADNA Presents” Podcast – Showcasing over 200 episodes of underrepresented AD talents in film and TV.
? Keynote Speaker for American Council of the Blind – Advocated for quality over quantity in AD and the inclusion of blind professionals.
? Speaker at AFB Leadership conference – While requiring AD *is* essential, also ensuring AD is recognized in the film industry and business, which leads to economic justification and value.
? TV Academy Performers Peer Group Member – Led the initiative to include AD performers’ credits for Emmy eligibility.
? Produced Television Academy Panel on AD – Reinforced your thought leadership by organizing industry discussions.
? 2021 Audio Description Achievement Award Recipient – Recognized for significant contributions to the AD industry.
? Facilitated SAG Awards Screeners with AD – Advocated for AD in nominated films, supporting blind talents and audiences.
? Voice-over performer in thousands of blockbuster films and TV series – Deep understanding of best practices across AD facilities.
Tailored guidance, with clarity and encouragement: Listening carefully to create new ideas that make movies and TV more fun and meaningful for people who use audio description, and the talents who bring it to life
Specific offerings at the bottom of this page. Or Jump to the Portfolio section here.
What I do
? Facilitating professional collaborations: I create open, thoughtful dialogue across media organizations, driving cultural change and fostering inclusion in entertainment.
? Coaching and workshops: Through one-on-one and group workshops, I guide professionals in AD performance, boosting morale and providing clear career direction.
? Reliability and expertise to every project: With thousands of AD titles under my belt for top studios like Universal, Sony, Disney, and Netflix, I bring extensive AD and industry experience.
? Empathetic leadership: I use deep listening to launch initiatives that elevate the entertainment experience for both AD audiences and talents.
? Inclusive solutions: My creative solutions focus on advocating for and including disabled professionals, ensuring their contributions enhance the industry.
In addition to producing AD, and consulting for film and TV, corporate, and educational media productions, I coach beginner and working AD performers in entertainment media. I enjoy sharing feedback on existing AD content, finding ways to integrate existing passions along with accessibility, and how working with blind pros makes all the difference.
I had the good fortune of meeting Roy virtually during the pandemic, when we transitioned to online training at Audio Description Training Retreats. Roy interviewed me for the incredible The ADNA Presents podcast, and we bonded over a honest desire to leave the world better than we found it, especially when advocating for those who are AD Professionals on the blindness spectrum.
Since 2020, we have successfully walked a line between friend and colleague (which is rare), and has meant we can support and learn from each other as trends in the industry evolve.
As I continue to trust Roy with my ideas and information, I found a true Ally, who’s willing to listen, and utilize his privilege to forward the careers of others.
If you are interested in working in the pre-recorded media industry, roy brings a wealth of information from a voice actor who has made quality AD performance his mission. — Colleen Connor, founder and owner, AD Training Retreats
When I first met with Roy, he instantly put me at ease with his warmth and empathy. His passion for all things AD/accessibility is infectious—within minutes, we were brainstorming personalized ideas for how I could get involved in the space (which was only possible because he was so attentive and engaged with me on such an individualized level). I walked away really believing in myself, because I could feel that he believed in me. Couldn’t have asked for a better mentor!
“I had asked Roy if he would listen to some of a specific film for which I had narrated the AD, to see if he agreed with my overall assessment. I had thought he would give me generalizations but he went far beyond that, going into granular detail on specifics. He has a very finely tuned ear and combines it with an ability to articulate exactly what he’s hearing. If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown of your work in AD, he’s the man.”
Roy has a genuine, infectious energy, is wonderfully creative and quick thinking. He brought an independent audio description project into focus very quickly during our brainstorming session.
Roy, you are an idea generator! I can’t thank you enough for creating the springboard to Album ARTIO Describe!
Roy is a committed advocate for blind and low vision audiences and professionals. During viable project discussions, he ensures blind and low vision professionals will be involved in each step of the creative process, as they should be. This input has taken my project to an indescribable level.
-Kathy Goodin, SAG-AFTRA Actor and Social Media Creator
“Roy is an incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and generous coach. Even before our first coaching session, he was helpful, responsive, and supportive through email. I walked away from our first session brimming with new insight about what it’s like to be a working talent in the audio description world. He offered detailed guidance that helped me feel equipped to deliver the best performance I could on my first AD job. As a voice talent who’s new to this field, I couldn’t have asked for a better or more experienced coach to initiate me onto this path!”
If you are wondering if you should work with Roy Samuelson — the answer is a resounding YES you should, my friend!
I had the pleasure of working with Roy when I took my first Audio Description class in 2021. His instruction on how he approaches an AD script was so insightful I also began using it in other voiceover genres as well- to much success. He has always been quick to respond to any questions I may have and is kind, considerate, and HONEST in his answers.
However, last year I made an audio description demo with Roy. This is when the rubber met the road for my audio description career. I not only left the session with a killer audio description demo but received a one on one master class on the true art of audio description.
I am happy to say that audio description has become a very large part of my daily voiceover work. I find it challenging, and meaningful. I’ve met wonderful people and worked with incredible post-production teams.
Thank you, Roy Samuelson!
“Roy is incredibly knowledgeable about AD. I found his approach to this unique VO genre thoughtful and encouraging. Roy also gave me ideas on how to create my own content and to seek partnerships within the blind community.” — Sandra Manwiller, voice actor
Roy Samuelson AD Portfolio
Since 2014, Roy has performed thousands of AD projects for film and TV. He uses his decades of experience in entertainment media to jump start sustainable parity opportunities for AD professionals and audiences.
Roy guides conversations, perspectives, and thoughts on the direction of AD:
Roy consults professional corporate organizations on integrating AD within their content.
Roy provides one on one coaching of voice talents’ opportunities in AD, along with accessible workouts, featuring feedback from blind professionals.
He supports the launch of and growth of their careers, using their own unique skills.
He’s collaborated with dozens of AD facilities to provide more accessibility and streamline processes to provide the best results from each role in AD.
First formal proposal to TV Academy for AD performers’ credits
Founded the public Facebook group Audio Description Discussion with over 3,400 members, focusing on lively conversations on quality and excellence in AD from audience and creator’s perspectives
Keynote Speech for American Council of the Blind; introduced the various roles of audio description, and the artistry of those roles, pivoting the discussion from quantity to quality, and inclusion of blind professionals in AD.
Podcast Series featuring over 200 AD professionals in all roles, “The ADNA Presents” showcases the underrepresented talents in film and TV.
As a member of the TV Academy Performers Peer Group with Jason George, Bob Bergen, and Lily Tomlin, included AD Narrators’ TV Credits to qualify to join, giving more voice to VO talents to vote for Primetime Emmys. Here’s some background.
2021 Roy Samuelson produced an event for the TV Academy on Audio Description, which was approved by the TV Academy Performers Peer Group Executive Committee. This was co-produced by Roy, Marian Massaro, Nickie Bryar and Bob Bergen. Roy moderated. This event was the catalyst for Board approval to bring these narrators into our peer group. And, this event has been a terrific tool used to educate the industry on the need and growth of Audio Description. Audio Description: How Blind People Watch TV
Worked with Performers With Disabilities committee and SAG Awards to bring nominated entries to require audio description, connect with sponsor for live AD for Awards show, and promote publicly their inclusion for blind audience and blind talents.
Through his performance on blockbuster feature films and well known series, he’s worked with the best, and understands the multiple approaches of each of the AD facilities, and guiding companies new to AD on the many directions to best serve their, and their audiences’, needs.
See how Roy’s suggestions work with your growth – send Roy a sample of your AD performance, he’ll share what he hears, and offer adjustments, compliments, and suggestions. Email Roy@RoySamuelson.com for more. Booking link for feedback here.
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