Adapting translated script for timing

Q: Our company lost an enormous amount of time doodling with a recording trying to make it fit into our original timing.  What can be done to avoid the mess?

A:  A translation is often wildly longer than an original.  So, if the script is not adapted, it may be impossible for the voice talent to speak the text within the timing allowed by the original language recording.  During adaptation, the text can be condensed, modified, to be the proper length.  And, even better, to adapt the translation out of the “written word” - to become the “spoken word”.  Adapting to the spoken word is not evident, and most translators create solely “written word” translations, having no clue that “spoken word” exists, or misguidedly believing is slang or street talk.  Written word example:  “I would have been able to go had I not been so exhausted.”  This makes good reading, but a person would speak it like this, “I’d have gone if I weren’t so exhausted.”  Note how the spoken word is about half the length of the written word, and is much more natural for a talent script or subtitling for a voice recording.  Spoken word add great impact to videos, particular in training and in sales videos.  In any case, even adapting the written word to be the same length as an original language script - paragraph by paragraph - will ease the recording process for the foreign talent, and make the entire project go more smoothly.

Voiceovers Q & A: Part 2

Q: We have tons of audio samples of foreign languages.  But I think maybe my judgment is impaired, because I’m not a native speaker, I can’t even understand what they’re saying, or determine if their performance is what I need.  Some voices sound better to me, but my client wants to participate, and I’m having trouble helping them select their preferred talent.

A: You might want to try a casting tool called the “Director’s Center”.  It is made specifically to assist in casting voiceovers in foreign languages outside of your native language.  Has lots of features to make it easier for your client to form an opinion, as well.  I think there are about 1,500 foreign voice talent recordings on that site, and they specify the info that you need to know.

Q: It’s so much easier to work with talents for foreign language voiceovers who live in the USA, why would I go overseas?  Isn’t it more complicated?  Or expensive?

A: Understand your concern.  Recording voiceovers in the USA is easier, yes.  Better, no.  There are a ton of risks involved with using expatriates – people who live outside of their native country.  So, as you start, consider how you began your own project.  When the client ordered a new multimedia project, do you call Rome to get an American voice talent?  Do you call Paris to get an American narrator?  Never!  It would never occur to you to go outside your native country to get the talent for your voiceovers, because the native country is where the work is.  So, all the good talents are there, in their native countries – all.  Voiceovers by expatriates will never be as good as voiceovers in the native country.  Moreover, expats begin to speak English too well, and give themselves away to their audiences as not living in the native country when they speak English words that pepper recordings like “IBM” or “computer” or “synergy”.  And they begin acquiring English accents in their own native language after being here for about 5 years.

Q:  How can we record in a country where I don’t even speak the language?  A director should be in control, and I feel so out of control with another language.

A:   There are several ways to get what you need. One, is to outsource the recording of foreign language voiceovers to a reputable company.   The other is to be absolutely sure that the talent you choose is perfect for your project.   If you outsource your foreign voiceovers to a reputable company (and there are not many), you can provide the breathtaking quality, without involvement with the talent.  Just be sure you choose a qualified company.  Second,  the Director’s Center is expanding to include Global Directing, enabling you to direct voiceovers anywhere in the world, in English.   So, you will be able to supervise or participate in recording voiceovers anywhere in the world from your office or home.  Even your clients can participate, because the entire experience is via the web.  You don’t even need a telephone.

Voiceovers Q & A: Part 1

Q:  In Google search, we found so many agents offering foreign voiceovers.  We selected one, and tried a Dutch recording that sounded great, but turned out to be a voice from Belgium.  I guess Amsterdam speaks with a different accent, because we had to re-record for free.  That experience cost us a client we may never get back.

A:  You are right, there is a huge difference between the accents of Netherlands Dutch and Flemish (Belgium) Dutch.  And there are great talents for voiceovers in both accents.   There are many sources of varied quality in international voiceovers from poor to good that show up in internet searches. There are only 2 or 3 voice companies that are good in all languages.  The vast majority of providers have some good, combined with lots of poor talents, even some dreadful talents with monotonous, drone performances.  In general, agents who specialize in English voiceovers find their foreign talents for voiceovers from the internet and have no idea who has an accent or poor performance, because – like you – they have no professionals around the world with whom to consult.  It is as easy for them to be misled for them as for you.  The demos from the talents sound so good that people are roped in. There are a list of criteria at the bottom of the home page of this site that can really help.  For example, full time professional actors for voiceovers inside the target country are your best bet – they are good, and with the right accent, or they wouldn’t have food on the table.  For even more security,  you can select a voiceovers talent that is recommended and recorded by a professional audio studio inside the target country in the biggest metropolitan area (not in a secondary or minor city far from the financial center).  Then, you not only receive professional voiceovers, but professional engineers and even directors involved in the session. So, if the voiceovers provider you choose offers recording directly in the target country – not just in English speaking countries, for example – and they offer tons of full time actors for voiceovers inside the target country not just a couple, then you are well on your way to making a good vendor selection.