Film Subtitling and Dubbing Key Terms

Learn film subtitling and dubbing key terms to increase your audience for film projects

By Rachel Davy, Writer/Editor

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.

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