Here at Transcription City, we provide a range of voice over services and video dubbing (with can be used in conjunction with or separately from our subtitling services and closed captioning services) to make your videos accessible worldwide in a range of languages and of course to those with hearing loss or vision loss.
Video Dubbing Services and Video Localisation
Video dubbing services (also known as language replacement services) are different from voice over services as the dialogue is recorded professionally to match the tone of the original actor. The original dialogue of the video is removed and the dubbed speech is mixed with the audio track of the remaining audio of the original footage to provide as seamless integration as possible. When preparing the transcript for video dubbing services, we first need to ensure that the source language is accurately timed before sending to our professional writers and linguists that will then set about the difficult task of preserving, the tone, style and nuance of the original speech, whilst ensuring that the timings match the lip movement of the actors on screen as precisely as possible. This is then passed on to a carefully selected actor who records the new dialogue for overlay. when selecting the voice actor we always ensure that they are able to match the tone, style dialect, pitch and accent of the original actor, to convey authenticity. Whilst making the recording, they must watch the video carefully to ensure that the dub is unnoticeable to the audience. Finally, the recording is then placed (with video editing) onto the video, television program or film.
Voice-Over Services
Voice over services are very similar to video dubbing, in the sense that they replace the original voice track with a new translated language. However, voice over services are not required to be lip synched with the original video, they are of course still timed accurately to replace the speech on the original video. As with video dubbing, voice over projects are first transcribed in the source language with strict timings. However, the dialogue is then translated in a more narrative, literal style than with video dubbing recordings, meaning that voice over services are better suited to news segments, documentaries where there is a small amount of speech to be translated and shorter film clips. When preparing and editing the video for voiceover placement, the video editor can often leave the original speech in the video (with the audio reduced) and overlay the voice over at a much higher volume; this is often used in short news reports, as it can add a more authentic tone to the video. Another way of adding authenticity to a voice over recording is to place the audio onto the video in the style of an interpreter, just after the original speech.
Video Dubbing and Voice Over Services VS Subtitling Services and Closed Captioning
When deciding what is the best method of translating your video content, there are many advantages to all of the above categories. Video dubbing of course suits feature films, TV series and the like. Voice over services are great for short segments of film such as documentary interviews and news segments. When creating the scripts for voice over and video dubbing services we need to add timings that are suitable for creating subtitle files so can offer these at a significantly discounted cost. However, if you are on a budget that only allows for either subtitling services, video dubbing or voice over services, it is best to look at your target viewers. For example:
- Are the videos accessible to an audience who are deaf or hard of hearing? Closed captioning and subtitles are probably the most appropriate.
- Are the videos accessible to an audience with visual impairments? Then voice over and visual description is probably the best option.
- Are the videos visually heavy with onscreen graphics, action or important visual cues? Voice over and video dubbing are best for this type of media.
- Are the videos instructional in nature? Subtitling or voice over services are best.
- What type of screen are the videos displayed on (mobile, tablet, Television, computer screen)? Small screens are most compatible with voice overs or video dubbing. Larger screens are able to display subtitles and closed captions much more effectively.
If you would like more information about transcription services, translation services, subtitling services, closed captioning, voice over services, video dubbing or video translation services, please get in touch. We are available 7 days a week and always happy to help.
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