WatchWord Subtitling Glasses

What is WatchWord?

WatchWord is an ‘always-on’ closed-captioning accessibility system designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing cinemagoers

It works by broadcasting closed captions, provided with a film, over Wi-Fi to augmented reality glasses. These glasses can be worn over prescription glasses and around cochlear implants. Cinemas offering WatchWord allow audiences to choose which films to attend based on their title, rather than a specific time slot.

While many films display open captions on the screen, WatchWord offers a discreet closed-captioning system, ensuring that only those wearing the glasses can see the captions. Unlike other forms of closed captioning, the use of augmented reality glasses provides users with a superior line-of-sight viewing experience, so there’s no need to look away from the screen.

Using WatchWord

WatchWord has been designed to be easy to use. Once you’ve requested the glasses by emailing info@saffronscreen.com, simply collect them from the cinema staff, who will show you how they work.

We are limited to four pairs of glasses per screening so it is vital you reserve a pair in advance to guarantee we have enough available.

If you have never used them before, we kindly ask you arrive promptly for the advertised start time to allow our staff enough time to teach you how to use them and ensure you’re happy. If you arrive late or during the adverts, we may not have adequate time to teach you.

The glasses are connected to a touch-screen controller (photo below). When you put them on, you’ll be greeted with a welcome message as scrolling text appears in the glasses.

During the adverts and trailers, you may notice there are no captions, this is because most adverts and trailers don’t yet include them.

While waiting for the movie to begin, it’s a good time to ensure the glasses sit comfortably on your nose. If they’re sliding down, simply remove them and adjust the nose piece, which is both sturdy and flexible.

Once you have the glasses comfortably positioned, sit back and enjoy the film. As it begins, the dialogue will appear projected on the lenses, allowing you to follow along and read the captions without missing any of the action.

Unlike on-screen captions, users have the flexibility to customise the text. You can adjust the size, colour, position, and focal distance to suit your preferences.

Using the hand-held controller, which works similarly to a smartphone, you can easily make these adjustments. Once you’ve set the text to your liking, the controller screen will go dark to avoid disturbing you or your fellow cinema-goers. If you wish to make further changes, simply touch the screen at any time, and it will reactivate.

Finding WatchWord Enabled Movies

WatchWord allows us to have a greater offering of films that include subtitles that are compatible with WatchWord, but it is still not available on 100% of movies and events we screen.

To help you find out which of our screenings are WatchWord glasses enabled, look for the glasses icon against our film listings.

You will also find confirmation if WatchWord glasses are available, not available or TBC under “More Info” where you would normally find the films release year and runtime.

You can also filter by “WatchWord Glasses Screening” by selecting the “Films” view, selecting “Show Filters” and then selecting “WatchWord Glasses Screening”

Once you have found a WatchWord enabled screening, it’s advised that you contact us on info@saffronscreen.com to confirm there is a pair available to use prior to booking.

As these glasses have come at a significant cost to the cinema, our staff will kindly ask you to sign the glasses out and in during your time using them.

WatchWord Glasses will not be available on any live broadcasts or encore Arts on Screen events such as Royal Ballet & Opera, Met Opera, National Theatre etc. In the event they are available, it will be clearly marked on the website.