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How to bill? How to come up with the total $ | You work on an average

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: How to bill? How to come up with the total $
Poster: José Henrique Lamensdorf
Post title: You work on an average

[quote]Cristabel wrote:

Thanks everyone! I guess I was overthinking this. Since there were several scenes that didn't need subtitling, I thought I had to figure out only the "audio" that was translated. I didn't think it was simple as Ex: 60 minute video is charged as a 60 minute video![/quote]

You'll have to WATCH the entire video to see if there's anything said that needs translation. Then you'll have to cope with varying loads of "delivery". My pet example is two Peters: The late Peter Drucker, who dragged his words, and Tom Peters, who used to talk like spitfire.

There are special cases, though. Once I had a one-hour documentary, all spoken in English, except for four minutes spoken in Portuguese, which they wanted translated for subtitles in English. I told them that they'd either pay for the 60 minutes (in which case I'd be checking the entire video to translate anything said in PT), or send me the 4-minute clip alone. Of course, they chose the second option.

Time-spotting is charged separately, of course. Some clients simply don't want it, as they may have internal staff to handle it. The Brazilian translators' syndicate had a bright idea: charging 30% of the cost of translation for it. I do it, however for MY translation, or by a few selected fellow translators who really know how to do it properly. If it's a third-party translation, I charge 50% of MY translation rate to adjust and fix as necessary.

If burning is involved, I adopt a 15-minute minimum PER ORDER (because many videos can be batch-processed together) applied on all three steps. The explanation is item #1 on [url= [url removed] ]this page[/url] in Portuguese. Sorry, folks, haven't had the time to make it in English yet. Either Spanish will help you to some extent there, or perhaps Google Translate will give a clue, hopefully in the right direction.

any similar experiencies with a selection process?

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: Mercedes Fatas

Hi there,
Anyone going through the "selection" process to work for an Entertainment company? I responded to a generic job looking for for subtitling translators/proofreaders posted in another directory, but something tells me that it may not be a good idea to go on. Shortly after sending my cv, they replied and sent me an application form including technical questions about my computer capabilities and info on my experience in subtitling. I have none and so I responded. But even so, I have now been asked to set a date and exact time for them to send me a 4-hour profiency test to be completed at the exact date and time you say. They also ask to accept their rates, which as far as I know, are quite low.
Does it ring a bell?? Any one has gone through this? Any feedback would be most welcome as I need to decide whether to go through the proficiency test or not.
Thanks in advance!
Have a nice day!

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | Do you mean movie subtitling for a major movie streaming service

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: Maksimoff
Post title: Do you mean movie subtitling for a major movie streaming service

via a company that offers totally automated subtitle translation and editing system?

Then I might have a word or two to comment ;)

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | mmm... not sure

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: Mercedes Fatas
Post title: mmm... not sure


According to their web page, this company provides a wide range of services to the film industry,from front-end services through post-production and distribution, including the majority of film prints worldwide.
They don't mention translation services

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | Questions to help you answer your own question

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: Texte Style
Post title: Questions to help you answer your own question

Do you want to work for their rate?
How can you complete their test in time if you are not proficient in the software to be used?
Do they provide the software or must you invest?
Why are they testing you when you have told them you have no computer capabilities or experience?

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | selection

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: jbjb
Post title: selection

Yes, it is typical for major companies to have one rate per language (or usually language group). Translators have the choice of accepting the rate or not, it is not for negotiating. There is no differentiation between translators to keep things simple - also because the rate is low enough.

Proficiency tests are very common (although not usually 4 hours). As they usually do not expect previous experience, they just want to make sure the test is done by the person who is applying. The selection process is not tedious - they just let a number of people do the test and pick the best from the bunch. If they can actually do the work is something that will become clear during the translation of actual projects and feedback from proofreaders.

You just have to think if the rate is lucrative for you or not. There is usually no chance of the rate ever moving up, the only possible movement is downwards (rates in subtitling have been falling since 1990s).

You are never expected to pay for subtitling software.

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | I know what your are talking about

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: Luciana Jesus
Post title: I know what your are talking about

I know which company you are talking about Mercedes. I refused to complete their endless application form and to take their 4 hour test as they would not discuss rates before I send the form. I asked if they agree with my rates and they said they would discuss it just after evaluating the form. Why did they ask for a CV then? After checking their BB, I decided it was a waste of time. I am curious though to know what rate they offer. Does anyone know? I guess it is pretty low...

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | if they won't say, that means it's bad

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: Texte Style
Post title: if they won't say, that means it's bad

a while back, there was a guy running an agency who expected me to work for free in-house for a couple of days before discussing the salary he'd be prepared to pay. I have never walked away so quickly from a job.

And when their new hire didn't work out, they had the cheek to contact me again as if I had never gone for an interview. I spelled out why I had no intention of ever working for them and luckily have been left alone ever since.
Presumably there are people who are desperate enough accept such conditions. I count myself lucky that it is not the case for me.

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | Oh, *that* company...

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: InForTheQuill
Post title: Oh, *that* company...

I got worried when these guys refused to talk about rates. They told me they would tell me the rate once I'll have signed about 459 documents (confidentiality agreement, working conditions agreement, sell-your-soul-to-the-devil-agreement, etc.) and taken a 4-hour test. "Rates depend on the translator's profile", was the argument. So I asked for their billing grid... no answer either, so I decided to stop there.

[quote]Luciana Jesus wrote:

I am curious though to know what rate they offer. [/quote]

Same here. Does anyone know?

[Edited at 2016-08-24 15:28 GMT]

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | Thanks!

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: Mercedes Fatas
Post title: Thanks!

Thank you all for your very useful comments.
FYI, their rates:
· Translation: $2.25 USD per minute of runtime
· Proofreading: $0.40 USD per minute of runtime

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | I am in the same situation

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: Tr Domnica
Post title: I am in the same situation

Hi there,

I am in the same situation as you are and I don't know what to do next.
I am also new here on Proz so I would really need an advice.

Thanks.

any similar experiencies with a selection process? | easy

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: any similar experiencies with a selection process?
Poster: jbjb
Post title: easy

Easy - think about the rate and either accept it or not. They are not going to pay more, there's no "translator profile", they have the same rate for basically all European languages. It's not hard to get the work, they accept anyone who goes through the process and accepts the rate (and doesn't make a million mistakes in the test). What you can expect is very short deadlines and mostly Netflix-oriented work.

[Subtitling Rates] per minute rates

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: [Subtitling Rates] per minute rates
Poster: Irina MacRae

Ok, guys, I too received an offer for subtitling with the following rates:
· Translation: $ 1.75 USD per minute of runtime
· Proofreading: $ 0.30 USD per minute of runtime
My language pair is English-Russian, not the most uncommon lol
I never did that before but from I've read above it looks like I shouldn't even try for that much money, right?
If that matters I live in the US.

[Edited at 2016-08-28 01:36 GMT]

[Edited at 2016-08-28 01:36 GMT]

[Subtitling Rates] per minute rates | Don't do it

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: [Subtitling Rates] per minute rates
Poster: Bernhard Sulzer
Post title: Don't do it

[quote]Irina MacRae wrote:

Ok, guys, I too received an offer for subtitling with the following rates:
· Translation: $ 1.75 USD per minute of runtime
· Proofreading: $ 0.30 USD per minute of runtime
My language pair is English-Russian, not the most uncommon lol
I never did that before but from I've read above it looks like I shouldn't even try for that much money, right?
If that matters I live in the US.

[Edited at 2016-08-28 01:36 GMT]

[Edited at 2016-08-28 01:36 GMT] [/quote]

Hi Irina.
You're right. You shouldn't do it.
The price should really be based on you watching the videos so you are aware of the volume of spoken words that you are supposed to work with = listen to while watching, translating and writing down. Also, are you asked to use specific software?

Many people argue that the "market" pays such and such for this service ( = a pittance) and that's how it is.
Well, even if that were the case, I would never do that. It's pure exploitation.
On the other hand, I have done subtitling work and I determined the price, and it took into account the actual work involved. Just like for any other project of mine. I am flexible with pricing but if something is obviously ridiculous, there's only one way to go: Don't do it!

PS: Because you mentioned that you've never done this type of work. There is more that goes into subtitling than simply translating and writing down what someone says on screen. It's more than "just" translating. And still, there are people that think it's okay to make much "less" money for doing that than for "just" translating. Go figure.

[Edited at 2016-08-28 16:11 GMT]

[Subtitling Rates] per minute rates | Per video minute

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: [Subtitling Rates] per minute rates
Poster: Bernhard Sulzer
Post title: Per video minute

[quote]agusmango wrote:

Hi guys,
Just landed here as a first timer. I'm from Argentina (Spa-Eng) I applied for a job with a French company, and passed their first testing. After that they basically train you to use their own software, and once you "pass" that, what they do is that they send you a script with the spotting already done.

"You just open the software, load the video and the SSTX file we sent for you to type your subtitle in English."

They offer 3 euros/min. For what I've been reading here, that's kind of low, but not sure if its "unacceptable low" or just "we're-a-big-company-so-take-it-or-leave-it low".

What do you think? I could really use some orientation here. [/quote]

You are aware that they mean 3 euros per video minute, right? Now calculate how much work you have to invest in each of these video minutes. Then see what 3 euros per video minute really means.

[Edited at 2016-08-28 16:19 GMT]

[Subtitling Rates] per minute rates | Rate per 1-minute runtime video

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: [Subtitling Rates] per minute rates
Poster: Andriy Bublikov
Post title: Rate per 1-minute runtime video

If the rate per 1-minute runtime video (transcription + translation) is $ 1.75 USD that means that, the rate of ordinary translation is 0,007 USD per word.

For me, there is correlation: transcription + translation rate = 2, 50 (EUR or $ or UAH) :) per minute video means ordinary translation rate is 0.01 (EUR or $ or UAH) and so on….
If translator’s rate is 0.10 (EUR or $ or UAH) per word, the rate per 1 minute runtime video (transcription + translation) should be 25.00 (EUR or $ or UAH). :)

It is up to you accept or do not accept agency rates.

There are a lot of interesting correlations rate between ordinary translation rates and audiovisual translation (subtitle translation, transcription, voice-over), proofreading, per hour work (editing)/ interpreting rates. 

Possible extremely high volume free translation "test" - is it a scam?

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: Possible extremely high volume free translation "test" - is it a scam?
Poster: Shihaoheng

Hey everyone,

Just got solicited to do a subtitle translation test which would be "less than 20 minutes," which to me seems to suggest it would at least be about 2000-2500 words. Is this somehow normal for subtitle translation tests? In my experience, I've never seen any tests that were higher than 200-600 words.

Of course, most people are probably aware of the scam where an agency sends out high volume free translation tests to a bunch of different freelancers and then tells them the failed or didn't get the job for some other reason, resulting in a totally free translation. After all, you send out a twenty minute translations "tests" to 3 translators, you've already got a free 1 hour translation which could be worth hundreds of dollars, right?

Anything I'm missing here?

Possible extremely high volume free translation "test" - is it a scam? | Ask them pay

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: Possible extremely high volume free translation "test" - is it a scam?
Poster: Onur Inal
Post title: Ask them pay

I don't know if it is a scam or not but a test translation, as you have said, should not be more than 300-500 words. To translate 2000-2500 words is a couple of hours work and this should not be done "for free". My suggeston is that you'd better tell the client that your limit/policy for a test translation is XXX words and you can translate 2000-2500 words only if they pay for it. Also, you'd check the client's blueboard record, website etc. to see how serious and reliable they are. Good luck!

Possible extremely high volume free translation "test" - is it a scam? | 2000 words in 20 minutes?!

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: Possible extremely high volume free translation "test" - is it a scam?
Poster: JL01
Post title: 2000 words in 20 minutes?!

Are you sure of your calculations???

[quote]Shihaoheng wrote:

Hey everyone,

... "less than 20 minutes," which to me seems to suggest it would at least be about 2000-2500 words. ...

[/quote]

Possible extremely high volume free translation "test" - is it a scam? | Perhaps...

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Forum: Subtitling
Topic: Possible extremely high volume free translation "test" - is it a scam?
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: Perhaps...

[quote]Shihaoheng wrote:
Just got solicited to do a subtitle translation test which would be "less than 20 minutes"... [/quote]

Perhaps they meant that the entire test would take you 20 minutes, and not that you have to subtitle 20 minutes of audio.

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