Reading scripts has “become impossible” for Dame Judi Dench, who needs “a machine” to teach her lines
The image shows Dame Judi Dench at a red carpet event.
Last night icon Dame Judi Dench opened up about sight loss on The Graham Norton Show. The star of countless classics revealed that in years gone by she found it easy to learn lines, owing to her photographic memory. But Dame Judi’s ability to create new visual memories has been disrupted by the eye condition Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) worsening to the point where she told Louis Theroux in 2022: “I’m not doing anything much at the moment because I can’t see.”
But the national treasure, famed for her bold and inspirational spirit, is not one to let anything hold her back. Braitin’s most loved leading lady is still doing what she does best, as her new film Allelujah is released next month. Having previously asked others to assist her, Dame Judi’s recent revelation is her need for “a machine that not only teaches me my lines but also tells me where they appear on the page”.
As world leaders in low vision magnification for people with AMD and other conditions, we’re looking at some assistive technology that could boost Dame Judi’s independence!
Portable Magnifiers
Without knowing the exact stage of her AMD, it is impossible to say which of these solutions would be the best fit. However, as technology has leapt forward, portable magnifiers have become game-changers for a wide range of visually impaired people.
Smaller solutions like the Ruby 7 HD slip away in your pocket, but still pack a punch when it comes to magnification. With an HD screen boasting 2x to 24x magnification, a rotating camera, a tilting screen, and tactile buttons for ease of use, the Ruby 7 could be the perfect solution for learning lines during a busy day filming on set.
The image shows a man sitting at a table using the Ruby 7 to read.
A notch up in size, devices like the Compact 10 are still very portable sidekicks. Stowing away in a small bag, the Compact 10 provides the practicality of a portable solution, with some more powerful functionality. Three cameras allow it to be used for a diverse range of tasks. Its large screen means you can fit more on each page, catering to Dame Judi’s need to be aware of the layout of her scripts. The ability to magnify as a handheld device, or as a table-top magnifier makes it perfect for Dame Judi to use around set, sitting down to refresh lines in her dressing room, and during table read-throughs.
The image shows a Compact 10 set up on a surface with its stand. A magazine is being magnified in the screen.
Desktop
Most of Dame Judi’s script learning is likely to be done at home before filming begins. So she may prefer one of our desktop magnifiers. Boasting 1.5x - 75x magnification, devices like the Clearview C / Speech are designed for comfortable, immersive magnification in a fixed location. The C-shape of the Clearview C provides plentiful working space, making it a great option for longer-term tasks (like memorising lines).
The image shows a woman sitting at a large table in a house. She is using the ClearView C / Speech, she points at the large screen another woman stands behind her smiling.
As the name suggests the Clearview C / Speech can speak lines out loud. With very simple controls, it is highly customizable, with adjustable contrast, and other features for specific needs. The combination of powerful magnification and text-to-speech would allow Dame Judi to commit lines to memory aurally (if not visually) and continue reading as visual fatigue sets in.
Wearables
Wearables come in many shapes and sizes, but something that would offer Dame Judi markedly different benefits isOrCam Read. A sophisticated smart camera using AI to read text out loud, OrCam Read is a tiny device which can fix to your glasses, or be handheld.
The image shows someone sitting at a table, using their OrCam Read as a handheld device and pointing it at the text.
OrCam can be used by people with very low or no vision. As Dame Judi’s sight degenerates, OrCam could continue to boost independence, allowing her to stay mobile while learning lines. The OrCam Read can be paired with headphones for discrete usability e.g. on public transport. It is also available with a stand, which would allow Dame Judi to set it up above her script, sit back, relax and learn her lines in great comfort!
If like Dame Judi Dench, you’re struggling to do the things you used to find easy, get in touch and find the assistive technology for you.
There is a wide range of other technology available on our website here.