https://www.proz.com/forum/subtitling/108604-subtitling_opportunities_in_belgium_the_netherlands.html
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Translation - art & business » Subtitling »
Subtitling opportunities in Belgium(/The Netherlands)?
Thread poster: Jo Lefebure
Jo Lefebure
Jo Lefebure  Identity Verified
Local time: 17:52
English to Dutch
+ ...
Jun 24, 2008

Hi all,

I'm aware of the fact that there are already a lot of threads here on 'how to start as a subtitler' etc, but I like to think of this as a more specific question rather than a general one: does anyone have a list of subtitling companies for Belgium (or maybe the Netherlands), that I could contact to apply for a job?

My secondary question (although probably not any less important) would be: how do I increase my chances of success, seeing that I do have experience... See more
Hi all,

I'm aware of the fact that there are already a lot of threads here on 'how to start as a subtitler' etc, but I like to think of this as a more specific question rather than a general one: does anyone have a list of subtitling companies for Belgium (or maybe the Netherlands), that I could contact to apply for a job?

My secondary question (although probably not any less important) would be: how do I increase my chances of success, seeing that I do have experience as a translator, but not as a subtitler, and didn't write my dissertation on subtitling (which would have been a great asset, still kicking myself for that decision).

I live in Belgium and - probably like many of you - have always dreamed of working in subtitling (preferably on the payroll rather than as an independent translator), and I would like to know what my options are.

In Belgium, I know of a few companies that specialize in subtitling (Miles, The Subtitling Company), but as far as I know, they mainly work with freelancers, and require you to invest in your own subtitling equipment.

Aside from that you have a number of tv channels with in-house subtitlers, but unless you are 'trained on the job' there during your studies, there's little to no chance of getting in (even with contacts on the inside, as I've experienced - I'm not ashamed to admit that I've tried that route).

Any sort of help on getting a good list together would be very much appreciated. In my humble opinion, playing the numbers game is the way to go if you really want to pursue something. ▲ Collapse
 
José Henrique Lamensdorf
José Henrique Lamensdorf  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 12:52
English to Portuguese
+ ...
In memoriam
Some input Jun 24, 2008

Jo Lefebure wrote:
I live in Belgium and - probably like many of you - have always dreamed of working in subtitling...


What do you take before sleep to always have such nightmares? (just joking!)

In Belgium, I know of a few companies that specialize in subtitling (Miles, The Subtitling Company), but as far as I know, they mainly work with freelancers, and require you to invest in your own subtitling equipment.


Then this might be news to you, but after the DVD revolution, the computer you used to post this message on Proz - if it has a DVD-R drive - is probably all the equipment you need to add subtitles to a DVD. It might be slower and have less memory & HD capacity than what would be timewise economical, but that's it. There is plenty of freeware around to do a complete job. Visit http://www.videohelp.com , search and browse there until you get sick of it. After you've done it with freeware, check where commercial software would enable you to make improvements in the process.

Aside from that you have a number of tv channels with in-house subtitlers, but unless you are 'trained on the job' there during your studies, there's little to no chance of getting in (even with contacts on the inside, as I've experienced - I'm not ashamed to admit that I've tried that route).


If insiders can't get you a gig now and then, it means that this market there is overpopulated in supply. This might be a nightmare. But then, if you have a translation field specialty, you can get through. For instance, a good client of mine (a video studio) has a very hard time to find medical translation specialists who work with video.

Any sort of help on getting a good list together would be very much appreciated. In my humble opinion, playing the numbers game is the way to go if you really want to pursue something.


Depending on which numbers, you may be right at that. Taking Pareto's Law, I'd say that 80% of the video translation work goes to the lowest bidder available.

Good luck!
 
savaria (X)
savaria (X)
Hungary
Local time: 17:52
English to Hungarian
+ ...
I would also be interested in hearing some news about that Jun 25, 2008

I do also have quite much(even international) experiences in the field of translation and interpretation industry(if I might call it like that),and I have also made one of my two degrees(the MA one) in the field of the interpretation science,but I would also be looking forward to hear about how to start as a subtitler ,and if possible,about how to start this activity in Hungary.I live in Hungary,in the former antique Roman city that most of you might know as Savaria(now called Szombathely),and ... See more
I do also have quite much(even international) experiences in the field of translation and interpretation industry(if I might call it like that),and I have also made one of my two degrees(the MA one) in the field of the interpretation science,but I would also be looking forward to hear about how to start as a subtitler ,and if possible,about how to start this activity in Hungary.I live in Hungary,in the former antique Roman city that most of you might know as Savaria(now called Szombathely),and I would really be looking forward to hear also about how to start this activity in Hungary.

And well,I have no chance to move to Budapest. ▲ Collapse
 
juvera
juvera  Identity Verified
Local time: 16:52
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Just a note to Gábor Jun 26, 2008

I do not mean to be unkind, but I am afraid, first you would have to learn to type without typing mistakes. The subtitling industry doesn't tolerate typos. I counted 12 missing spaces in your post and that would be too many in a full feature film.
Think of the size of letters on the TV screen, not to mention the cinema screen. Any mistake like that SHOUTS at you!
 


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Subtitling opportunities in Belgium(/The Netherlands)?


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