The Dark Room

Returning guests Ren Leach and Rein Brooks join Lee and Alex in the discussion on the stellar year for horror movies that is 2026 (so far).   Access Horror: https://www.accesshorror.com/ If you would like to contact us, please email darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Search for Audio Description availability for any title on the American Council for the Blind's Website! https://adp.acb.org/findavide...

Alex and Lee chat with Rebecca Odum, a blind audio description quality control specialist, about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making audio description the best it can be. Rebecca shares what the quality control process looks like from her perspective, where she would like to see audio description technology improve, and the opportunities and challenges of providing audio description f...

Alex and Lee chat with Deborah Lewis of Audio Description Solutions, who has been working in audio description since 1987. Drawing on nearly four decades of experience, Deborah shares how the art form has evolved, what separates good description from great description, and how blind and low-vision audiences have helped shape the work. The conversation also explores building lasting accessibility,...

Alex and Lee chat with filmmaker David Grabias about the making of “Brailled It,” a groundbreaking documentary that puts cameras in the hands of blind and low-vision (BLV) young people. David shares how the film’s collaborative approach reshaped the filmmaking process, what he learned from giving his participants creative agency, and how “Brailled It” challenges conventional ideas about who gets t...

Alex and Lee chat with Diana Elizabeth Jordan, a disabled actress, advocate, speaker, and coach. In our discussion, Diana talks about her journey navigating the entertainment industry as a disabled artist, some of her favorite projects, and the importance of disability representation. Keep up with Diana's latest projects by following her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromtheheartdej...

In celebration of the recent release of "Toy Story 5", Alex and Lee discuss the lasting legacy of the beloved franchise and rank all 5 films. Find out if our rankings match yours. If you would like to contact us, please email darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Search for Audio Description availability for any title on the American Council for the Blind's Website! https://adp.acb.org/findav...

In light of the recent release of Steven Spielberg's "Disclosure Day," Alex and Lee celebrate the prolific film director and his body of work. We give our thoughts on his current movie and reveal our top 10 favorite Spielberg films.  If you would like to contact us, please email darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Search for Audio Description availability for any title on the American Counc...

Alex and Lee chat with audio description performer, Tansy Alexander, who has worked on franchises like "Stranger Things," "The Hunger Games," and "A Quiet Place." In our discussion, Tansy discusses her journey into audio description, what access for all looks like, and how AI is changing the AD landscape. If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast...

In honor of the recent theatrical release of "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu", Alex and Lee rank all live-action Star Wars films, which makes for some fun discussion. If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Search for Audio Description availability for any title on the American Council for the Blind's Website! https://adp.acb.org/findavideo.h...

Alex and Lee chat with Joanne DiVito, a former Broadway dancer and live audio describer for performing arts events in the Los Angeles area. In our conversation, Joanne recounts some of her previous experiences as a performer and how it prepared her to step into the world of live audio description. If you live in the Los Angeles area and would like to request live audio description for an upcoming...

Alex and Lee chat with Colleen Connor, co-founder of Audio Description Training Retreats, who discusses their journey with blindness and their work in audio description. We explore the craft of AD and how their immersive retreats are helping train the next generation of describers. If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Check out the Blind Can Film Festival host...

Alex and Lee are joined by special guest Anna Capezzera, who is the director of accessibility at Deluxe. This global media and entertainment services company provides audio description, captions, and other accessible options. In our discussion, Anna chronicles her journey into accessibility, talks about her current role at Deluxe, and touches on raising puppies for guide dog training. If you would...

Alex and Lee are joined by special guests, John Stark and Ren Leach, to present the 2nd annual Blind Film Critics Society nominations and awards, which honor the best in cinema for 2025. Follow Alex on Letterbox'd at @alexhoward11 and Lee at @leepugsleyla  Follow John Stark at: https://www.macthemovieguy.com YouTube - @macthemovieguy  Rotten Tomatoes - John Stark Follow Ren Leach at:  https:/...

Alex and Lee share their 2026 film festival experiences at the Sundance and Slamdance film festivals, recap the films they saw, and recount some fun stories. Plus, they touch on the Warner Bros. sale drama. If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Check out the Blind Can Film Festival hosted by our sponsor, Ben Fox: https://www.blindcan.com Search for Audio Descri...

Alex and Lee are excited to present the 3rd Annual Oscars Audio Description Round Table, celebrating the work of some very talented audio description writers and performers representing 5 of the Oscar-nominated Best Picture films from this awards season. This year's lineup of panelists includes: - Liz Gutman - “Frankenstein” and "Train Dreams" (AD Writer)  - Anusha VeDagiri - "...

Alex and Lee chat with Sheridan O’Donnell, a legally blind film director. In our conversation, Sheridan discusses his feature film “Little Brother” and his documentary “Rising Phoenix”, as well as chronicling his journey as a disabled creative. Check out Sheridan’s website here: https://www.sheridanodonnell.com If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Check out th...

Alex and Lee reveal their top 10 films of 2025.  Please note: This episode was recorded before the Oscar nominations were announced on January 22, 2026. If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Check out the Blind Can Film Festival hosted by our sponsor, Ben Fox: https://www.blindcan.com Search for Audio Description availability for any title on the American Counc...

Alex and Lee preview 2026 in cinema and discuss their top 10 most anticipated films of the year. If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Check out the Blind Can Film Festival hosted by our sponsor, Ben Fox: https://www.blindcan.com Search for Audio Description availability for any title on the American Council for the Blind's Website! https://adp.acb.org/fin...

Alex and Lee ring in the holiday season by sharing favorite holiday memories, favorite festive films, and a holiday wish list for accessibility. If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Check out the Blind Can Film Festival hosted by our sponsor, Ben Fox: https://www.blindcan.com Search for Audio Description availability for any title on the American Council for t...

Alex & Lee celebrate the legacy of the prolific Stephen King by reviewing his four theatrical adaptations from 2025 and some of their personal favorites. They also go into some industry talk about the current and future state of Warner Bros. If you would like to contact us, please e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com. Check out the Blind Can Film Festival hosted by our sponsor, Ben Fox: https://w...

Alex and Lee chat with Anthony Marciona, a live audio describer and actor who has been in show business for over 50 years. In our discussion, Anthony discusses the nuanced similarities and differences between being an audio describer and an actor. Check out Anthony’s website at: https://www.anthonymarciona.com/ If you would like to request live audio description for an upcoming performance you wil...

Lee and Alex sit down with Serina Gilbert, a blind AD Quality Control Specialist, mom, content creator, and AD advocate.  Serina Gilbert on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blindygirlofficial AD Discussion Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AudioDescriptionDiscussion   If you want to reach us, e-mail darkroomfilmcast@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube ch...

Alex and Lee celebrate 50 episodes of THE DARK ROOM with a retrospective look back at the past three years. They reflect on the evolution of the podcast and how it has impacted them personally and professionally, as well as recalling their favorite episodes and casting a vision for what the future holds. They also recap highlights from the 2025 summer movie season, and end with some fun games feat...

Alex and Lee welcome Matt Lauterbach of All Senses Go to discuss the inaccessibility of the New York Times' Top 100 Films of the Century So Far. In this episode, we discuss why accessibility for these films is important, the barriers to getting them audio-described, and potential solutions moving forward. Matt's interview with Alex: https://allsensesgo.substack.com/p/these-are-the-best-f...

Alex and Lee chat with Roman Howell, live audio describer and audiobook narrator, about the nuanced differences of each type of narration. Follow Roman on Instagram at @Romanaudiobooks and pre-order his upcoming Goosebumps Audible audiobook “Ghost Camp” here . For those in the Los Angeles area looking for live audio description, please contact the venue box office for the performance you are atten...