Whether it's a Hollywood blockbuster in the making or a hop indy hit from a lean, independent studio, film subtitling and dubbing is important for movies that are cinema-bound. Film dubbing and subtitling provides an incredible amount of added value to films for world release and international viewership, so much so that the vast majority of films tend to have some kind of limited dubbing, subtitling or foreign language system in place to allow for a multi-cultural audience.

Subtitling or dubbing companies can help with projects that require these kinds of foreign language solutions. From getting voice-over talent to adding specific film subtitle features into a screen shot, film dubbing studios can assist businesses in making sure a movie reaches out to speakers of another tongue. But what about training? A film production agency can get not only consulting help, but also film subtitling and dubbing education and training from online venues, including:

1. Consulting or training assistance with getting voice-over talent onto a project for film subtitling and dubbing options.

2. Assistance with the technical side of adding film dubbing or other features.

3. More training on how to use subtitling and dubbing features in the release process.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for training for adding film subtitling and dubbing and voice-overs to films

Dubbing or 'voice-overs' is a huge part of adding multi-lingual features to a film. Quality dubbing can be the difference between a wooden, stilted viewing experience and something that leaps off the screen. Specific target audiences from countries foreign to the one the producer is operating in will enjoy dubbing and voice-overs tailored to their natural native language.

I recommend: Businesses looking to get quality voice-over results can get training and coaching solutions from studios across the country like the Edge Studio with New York and Washington D.C. locations. For voice-overs training out West, try Aliso Creek voice-over training options.

Find training in adding film subtitling and dubbing from large or independent companies

Another aspect that a business, or a film producer, may need help with is getting the actual words of the subtitle text on screen, including both dialogue and screen cues, when looking to add subtitles to a movie. Professional shops can help add these features in the best way and with the most technical expertise, or instruct staff on how to progress with data entry to subtitle a movie.

I recommend: If your film projects use a digital type format for editing and subtitling, check out subtitling training from the Apple Pro Training website. For conventional projects that will be going a standard broadcasting route, consultants such as Steve Wright at Digital FX may be the right source for coaching on how to add subtitles and other features.

Get more instruction for the film subtitling and dubbing process

Other websites offer much more in bringing film subtitling and dubbing resources to film production companies with a 'directory' style approach. Find shops, how-tos, and info on film production through these informative warehouses on the common film subtitling and dubbing process for films.

I recommend: Find a range of film subtitling and dubbing training options from Production Hub, the "Film production Search Engine." Or check out a variety of consulting shops or other resources for the process of getting film subtitling and dubbing services at independent film production sites like Mandy.com.

Thanks to companies that provide film subtitling and dubbing services, movies are able to bridge an international language gap and speak to people who reside in every country. This allows movies to reach many more potential audience members and be enjoyed by people from all over the world. Whether the film is given subtitles or dubbed into another language, it will be ready to be enjoyed by anyone.

Most artists, including directors and actors, do not want to limit the audience they can reach for any reason, including people who do not speak the language that is used in a movie. Film subtitling companies and film dubbing studios solve this problem with the services they provide, such as:

1. Dubbing companies are able to translate films into almost any language in existence.

2. A company can add subtitles to a film so that people who speak a different language are able to read along and understand the plot and dialog.

3. Subtitling companies provide closed captioning for the hearing impaired.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work with a company that will subtitle a movie

Subtitles and captions give film makers the ability to get their message and ideas across properly despite language barriers. They also open up the world of film to those who are hearing impaired. Companies that add subtitles to a movie will work with the film producers to find the best font style, size and color to make them easy to read without disturbing the picture.

I recommend: Retain the subtitling services from Video Caption Corporation, Al Media Movers Inc. or Sky Caption.

Hire dubbing companies for your voice-over needs

Film dubbing is done to translate the dialog from a movie into another language, or to provide proper lip syncing for scenes in which the audio was not properly captured during the original filming. Dubbing studios work with an array of performers and artists who are able to speak the primary language of any country or local dialect of any city throughout the world.

I recommend: Find the voice-over and dubbing services you are looking for with Voice & Script International Ltd., Sound Supply Ltd. and Graffitti Studio.

Purchase your own subtitling equipment

Smaller companies may wish to handle and process their own film subtitle work. There are software programs available that will allow any user to add subtitles to their movies. This may help to keep the cost of a project within a tight budget or ensure that the subtitling is done as quickly as possible.

I recommend: Invest in the equipment you need from companies such as Computer Prompting and Captioning Co. or Screen Subtitling Systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get a quote for any film subtitling and dubbing services you are in need of to make sure the final cost fits within your budget.
• •  Review any dubbing, subtitling or other work before the project is finalized to be certain that you are satisfied with the results.

Since filming a movie is only the first step in a film's completion, it's important to learn post production key terms for subtitling and dubbing to make the process easier and less stressful. If there is noise interference or if an actor's reading wasn't as clear as you'd like, you may have to re-record some of your audio material. Knowing film subtitling and dubbing key terms will make film making easier for you and your crew.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Voice-over

A voice-over is the process of recording an actor's voice to be used over another actor's. Some voice-overs translate films into other languages, while others correct problems in the original recordings. Another kind of voice-over is when an actor narrates a program or film.

I recommend: MIX provides information that tells you how to record a voice over.

Dubbing

Dubbing replaces the original sound from music to special effects. Many countries prefer using dubbing to subtitles, which can be difficult to read while watching the finished film.

I recommend: The Museum of Broadcast Communications provides information on dubbing.

Voice talent

Voice talent refers to the actors hired to do dubbing or voice-overs for film, television or commercial projects.

I recommend: Learn about voice talent from voice talent agency SunSpots Productions.

Subtitle processor

A subtitle processor is a tool or software program that edits, translates and repairs subtitles for movies. With this tool, film makers can create subtitles for their films in any language they choose. This can help ensure having a wider audience for the finished project.

I recommend: Get information about subtitle processors and what they do at Screen Subtitling Systems.

Captions

Captions are the typed text versions of what the actors are saying in a film. There are two kinds of captions: closed and open. Closed captions are for impaired viewers and allow users to turn them on or off. Open captions are a permanent part of the program, and you can't remove them.

I recommend: Learn more about closed and open captioning at WebAIM.

Localization

When you originally record a film in another language and need to translate it so listeners in other countries can understand the words, you're using localization. This is more than a word-for-word translation of a film since it includes things such as dialect and local idioms. Many subtitled films use localization to make the text understandable to audiences.

I recommend: Read the information about subtitle localization at Video Caption Corporation. Find information on voice-over localization at WorldLingo Translations.