Script Adaptation and Dubbing
Script Adaptation and Dubbing
Broadly speaking, script adaptation is one of the techniques that enable us to “translate a movie”, and it is the most popular kind of AVT translation in Italy. Script adaptation consists of creating new dialogues in the chosen language, which will later be pronounced by actors during the dubbing phase.
Where is it used? Mainly used when adapting films, tv series and soap operas.
What are its main features? In the translated version, the original voice is removed completely; false starts, hesitations and verses are maintained so that dialogues sound natural and spontaneous, and so that the translated version replaces the original version in a perfectly accurate way. The translated dialogues are accurately synchronized with the speaker's lip movements, rythm of speech and body movements.
Where is it used? It is commonly used in the adaptation of reality TV, docu-style series and entertainment products.
What are its main features? The original voice is slightly audible under the dubbed version; dialogues' duration and pauses are respected, but lip movement is not. Usually, the original dialogues are more spontaneous and present a lot of natural features such as repetitions and false starts, which are often substituted -in the adaptation and dubbing phases- by more linear dialogue.
Where is it used? It is commonly used in the adaptation of documentaries, TV advertisements and video presentations.
What are its main features? It is characterized by a linear and controlled structure, similar to that of a written text. The narrator's speech overlaps images. During the dubbing phase, the dubbed speech starts slightly after the original one, and ends slightly before, so that the original voice is still audible -just for a second- at the beginning and at the end of each line.
Where is it used? It is used in multimedia products which require that an oral dialogue is recreated in a target language.
What are its main features? In the process of dubbing, the dubbing script is read by an actor so that, depending on the type of product, the translated dialogue is more or less synchronised with the original audio.
What skills does it require?
- Attention to contexts and nuances
- Ability to read and interpret images, dialogues and body language
- Knowledge of linguistic registers and socio-linguistic aspects of the target culture
- Creativity and revision abilities
- Knowledge of movie writing techniques, AVT techniques and lexicon
- Knowledge of the dubbing process and of post-production work
- Deep understanding of the needs and features of the target audience
- Knowledge of acting and prosody in the target language
We provide several types of script adaptation services (lip-synch, simil-synch, voice over), offering the translation the dialogue adaptation and the revision of the adapted script. Thanks to our professional partners, we also offer the possibility to include dubbing in our projects.
Writing the dubbing script is just one of the phases of the dubbing process. This is why we are more than happy to participate in its following phases through constant communication with our clients and by visiting the dubbing studio for any doubts that may arise during the dubbing phase.
We offer localization packages that include different services both for pre-production (such as translation of screenplays, summaries and so on...) and post-production (such as the creation of dialogue lists, translation, script adaptation for dubbing, standard subtitling and subtitling for the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing.
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