Forum: Subtitling
Topic: SUBTITLE - AUDIO - VOICE OVER -
Poster: José Henrique Lamensdorf
Post title: This is a different market
Most of the translation agencies you'll find here on Proz know next to nothing about video.
Now and then they'll get video dubbing/subtitling assignments from their regular (text) translation clients, and the PM won't know how to ask the right questions. If you give them the right questions to ask, they'll often misunderstand - or not understand at all - the answers.
In all these years, I only had ONE case of a translation agency PM who got so enthusiastic about it, when we had a large project involving video editing (inserting numerous translated PPT slides in the raw video), dubbing in two languages, and interactive DVD authoring that, when we were through, he bought professional level software, and said he'd be converting all his family videos into watchable film productions.
All others are handing me over clueless requests from even more clueless clients who need to show some company video in a different language. These are corporate clients whose affairs do NOT involve video production; it is outsourced. In these cases, they'll require a turn-key service. If you don't go the whole nine yards in video, get partnered with people who can supplement your offer.
To give you the picture, after almost 30 years translating for dubbing (where I started), I don't do VO myself, not even recording with external talent. I have reliable, high quality partners to take care of that, some are still the same since my day one. On the other hand, in subtitling, since 2004 I've been personally covering all the possible services involved.
Then there are subtitling studios. In most cases they'll be working into several languages, so they'll ask you to translate on pre-transcribed, pre-segmented, pre-timed "templates". Of course, the pay there is a small fraction of what you get with corporate video, however the volume is ominous, and your productivity should be significantly higher.
How do you find them?
The first group will find you, if you offer uncompromising quality. This takes practice, however you can climb the learning curve faster if you work for someone more experienced who can make up for your beginner's mistakes.
You can join the second group if you accept their low rates, while delivering something that isn't too much below acceptable. Over time you'll get practice, and might improve your income very gradually.
You may find some material worth reading [url= [url removed] ]here[/url]. Most of it was written for the clueless clients in the first group above.
Topic: SUBTITLE - AUDIO - VOICE OVER -
Poster: José Henrique Lamensdorf
Post title: This is a different market
Most of the translation agencies you'll find here on Proz know next to nothing about video.
Now and then they'll get video dubbing/subtitling assignments from their regular (text) translation clients, and the PM won't know how to ask the right questions. If you give them the right questions to ask, they'll often misunderstand - or not understand at all - the answers.
In all these years, I only had ONE case of a translation agency PM who got so enthusiastic about it, when we had a large project involving video editing (inserting numerous translated PPT slides in the raw video), dubbing in two languages, and interactive DVD authoring that, when we were through, he bought professional level software, and said he'd be converting all his family videos into watchable film productions.
All others are handing me over clueless requests from even more clueless clients who need to show some company video in a different language. These are corporate clients whose affairs do NOT involve video production; it is outsourced. In these cases, they'll require a turn-key service. If you don't go the whole nine yards in video, get partnered with people who can supplement your offer.
To give you the picture, after almost 30 years translating for dubbing (where I started), I don't do VO myself, not even recording with external talent. I have reliable, high quality partners to take care of that, some are still the same since my day one. On the other hand, in subtitling, since 2004 I've been personally covering all the possible services involved.
Then there are subtitling studios. In most cases they'll be working into several languages, so they'll ask you to translate on pre-transcribed, pre-segmented, pre-timed "templates". Of course, the pay there is a small fraction of what you get with corporate video, however the volume is ominous, and your productivity should be significantly higher.
How do you find them?
The first group will find you, if you offer uncompromising quality. This takes practice, however you can climb the learning curve faster if you work for someone more experienced who can make up for your beginner's mistakes.
You can join the second group if you accept their low rates, while delivering something that isn't too much below acceptable. Over time you'll get practice, and might improve your income very gradually.
You may find some material worth reading [url= [url removed] ]here[/url]. Most of it was written for the clueless clients in the first group above.