Challenges and Processes in a Complete Voiceover and Video Integration Project
The article below describes the various steps that go into a complete voiceover integration project given only a video with an audio narration in the source language. The case is taken from a real project for conversion of a video narration from one language to several.
The input material was a video which contained a background track and a narration. No script, translation or subtitle document was provided. This was a stimulating and engaging project with a myriad challenges, not only by virtue of the number of different target languages, but also the sheer number of intermediate processes and sub-processes, many of which did not form part of the final deliverables, but were essential in the path.
Requirement Analysis
The main task involved replacing the source narration with a target narration. This required the following in reverse order:
As can be seen from the table above, the requirements provide a step by step outline of the process in reverse order as we trace the requirements backwards. For ease of explanation, the processes have been numbered E-A and shall be referred to with he same letters in the rest of the article.
A. Transcription & B. Translation (Subtitling)
The first step involved the transcription of the existing voice narration in the source language so that it could be translated. In order to maintain integrity of frame size, it is important to have relevant and significant data on the same page. These include:
The above format was devised and used for the transcription. With this information readily available and visible to the subtitlist / translator, s/he is able to immediately view the character count of one’s translation and how much it deviates from the source. In this way, s/he can choose to modify the translation to fit the frame. Guidelines to this are usually provided by the client.
It is important here to note that there are two diverse goals to be achieved here. These determine the nature of the translation desired.
The translator must know the objective so as to tweak his or her translation. While the first objective will lay emphasis on the visual representation of the text, the second objective will emphasise the aural element. Both texts can be markedly diverse. What may appear good to read considering the frame on screen, may not be the best heard in a background narration.
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It may be wise to have two versions of the text available so that subtitles can be used where the narration is of a different language, and vice versa. For example, in a video with Kannada or Hebrew narrations, the English or Tamil subtitles can be superimposed, and likewise for the Tamil and English narrations, subtitles of other languages such as Kannada and Hebrew can be made available.
C. Script Writing & Editing
Once the source text is translated into its corresponding subtitles, the text must be modified or improved to make it tenable for a narration, something that reads fluidly. This involves not only making changes in the language and style but also the sequence of segments and perhaps shifting elements of various segments above and below across the script. This may be required for the structural differences of both languages as well as for better correlation with the presentations and happenings on screen. It is advisable to retain the time-codes for the script here too, as this acts as a guideline for the voiceover artiste while recording.
D. Validation of Script
The script is then validated by the voiceover artiste, and opinion could be sought from the translator as well. The best is for the script-writer, translator and the voiceover to work in consultation with each other, rather than the project manager having to transfer incremental versions of the script from one to the other. Collaborative improvement of the script in a team, works best. The final sign off should be by the voiceover artiste, who is going to narrate the script.
Once internally finalised, the script is sent to the client for their final approval, if the client so desires.
In many projects, the role of the script-writer may be performed by the voiceover artiste; and the subtitle and script versions of the translations may both be created by a single linguist. These roles are fluid and need not be performed by different people. Important is that they be treated as distinct steps in the process and performed separately.
E. Voice Recording
After the script has been finalised and vetted, it is then rendered to the artiste’s voice. It goes without saying that the artistes tries his or her best to adhere to the timings indicated in the scripts, without trying to hurry up or slow down too much. Variations in the duration of segments across two languages can be adjusted in the integration stage as we shall see.
F. Integration of Audio and Video
By this time, a new voice file in the target language is available. To integrate this with the original video it is important to have
This video is not the same as the one used for transcription and subtitling in the first place. Here, the file has to be the raw file without any background audio so that the new narration can be integrated with it.
While integrating the video with the narration AND the background scores, modifications in the length can be be made to of parts of the video in order to match the pace of the narration. If this is done, this should be notified to the subtitling division; this communication is vital as the time-coding of the subtitles in comparison with the final integrated video will vary and corresponding changes need to be effected in the subtitles before superimposing them on the new video.
And there we have it! The project is now ready for delivery to the client.
Post Scriptum
A systematic step-by-step process description, marking important inter-process communication makes the execution of the project methodical and stress-free. The overview of the chronology of the processes and the requirements at each step make it easier to plan ahead and communicate with all the stakeholders and linguists involved in the process. It illuminates expectations and requirements to each participant in the process. Background preparation for the upcoming and subsequent steps can be completed while an earlier stage is being implemented. For a project manager, the overview of such process adds to his / her efficiency and gives the client an affirmative and hassle-free experience with the team.