Could you help me decipher some terms (like simulation, bonus etc) and give me some advise? Thread poster: fionainrome
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I have been contacted by an American company, but I'm having some trouble understanding what they are proposing exactly. I do translation for subtitling (no time coding) and I also often do subtitles from scratch (watching and listening to the film). Could you help me decipher some of the terms they are using (like simulation, bonus etc)?
(Euros
Translation of Feature, Commentary & Bonus: €2.80 per program minute
Simulation (QC) of Feature, Commentary &... See more I have been contacted by an American company, but I'm having some trouble understanding what they are proposing exactly. I do translation for subtitling (no time coding) and I also often do subtitles from scratch (watching and listening to the film). Could you help me decipher some of the terms they are using (like simulation, bonus etc)?
(Euros
Translation of Feature, Commentary & Bonus: €2.80 per program minute
Simulation (QC) of Feature, Commentary & Bonus: €0.70 per program minute
Correlation/Simulation (Reformat): €1.40 per program minute
Flat/Minimum Fee: €20.00
*Average movie runs an approximately 100 minutes, depends on the title and client)
Also, they have mentioned giving me a test and I know that's only right, but I've heard some companies sometimes get you to do a long test and then never get back to you (basically they get you to work for free!) Could you please advise me on how long a test should be max?
Thanks to you all
[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2008-03-03 16:36] ▲ Collapse
| | | | JulietteC
Local time: 08:52
English to French
My 2 cents :
In my opinion, working for these rates is almost working for free anyway...
As for translation test, I avoid any test longer than 500 words.
However, this kind of big low-cost subtitling company will probably send you a lot of work if you pass the test: their rates are so low that many translators get rid of them as soon as possible. They mostly work with young inexperienced translators (willing to accept these rates), they do not have enough o... See more My 2 cents :
In my opinion, working for these rates is almost working for free anyway...
As for translation test, I avoid any test longer than 500 words.
However, this kind of big low-cost subtitling company will probably send you a lot of work if you pass the test: their rates are so low that many translators get rid of them as soon as possible. They mostly work with young inexperienced translators (willing to accept these rates), they do not have enough of them, so quite logically, they'll send you much work.
Personally, I passed some tests for this kind of companies but decided not to work for them : I would earn more by working as a cashier... ▲ Collapse
| | | | | hope this helps | Mar 3, 2008 |
Hi,
when they say a simulation that just means that you watch the film with the subtitles and check the spelling and the translation, so it's like a proofread. I have no idea what correlation means in terms of this kind of work.
An adaptation usually is when you have the titles sent to you in the form of a dialogue list. You then have to divide them up and do the spotting. You may just have to divide them up and then they will so the spotting later.
Bonus means the extras on a ... See more Hi,
when they say a simulation that just means that you watch the film with the subtitles and check the spelling and the translation, so it's like a proofread. I have no idea what correlation means in terms of this kind of work.
An adaptation usually is when you have the titles sent to you in the form of a dialogue list. You then have to divide them up and do the spotting. You may just have to divide them up and then they will so the spotting later.
Bonus means the extras on a DVD, so maybe the deleted scenes and the bloopers.
I did a test for visiontext in london. A 45 minute documentary. Never heard back from them, they didn't even acknowledge receipt or say thanks.
I'd do 10 minutes of a film as a test and charge for more. Usually they give you a part which has "battute" difficili to translate to see if you maintain the humour etc. So it's not about quantity. ▲ Collapse
| | | | fionainrome
Italy
Local time: 08:52
Italian to English
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks to both of you. Juliette, believe it or not this is the highest fee I have been offered up till now! Sad, I know... I'm hoping to hear from companies that pay more....
So... I should absolutely not do more than 10 mins as a test?
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| And remember! | Mar 3, 2008 |
For movie translations and subtitles, you get royalties, (which are pretty interesting)...Sacem in france....
| | | | | Royalties for video translation dub/sub | Mar 3, 2008 |
Frederique Biehler wrote:
For movie translations and subtitles, you get royalties, (which are pretty interesting)...Sacem in france....
I got the impression that this only happens in Douce France. Anywhere else, such things are taken as "services rendered" for once and for all.
| | | | juvera 
Local time: 07:52
English to Hungarian
+ ...
| Length of test | Mar 7, 2008 |
Fiona, the big subtitling companies have set prices and no space for manoeuvre, but as Juliette said, they have a lot of work.
Therefore, if you have more time than work, or as you said your other work is badly paid, go for it. You get work and experience, and it is usually more fun to translate than the instructions of a washing machine.
The test for these companies are different from the usual translation text, (or at least, it should be) and I wouldn’t quibble abo... See more Fiona, the big subtitling companies have set prices and no space for manoeuvre, but as Juliette said, they have a lot of work.
Therefore, if you have more time than work, or as you said your other work is badly paid, go for it. You get work and experience, and it is usually more fun to translate than the instructions of a washing machine.
The test for these companies are different from the usual translation text, (or at least, it should be) and I wouldn’t quibble about the length, but it should NOT be the translation of X minutes of documentary, or suchlike.
The test is usually tailored to the nature of the work they deal with, and often consists of several parts, to see how well the translator follows instructions, deals with the restricted length of the subtitles, the capturing of the essence of the text, their understanding of colloquialism, and how good is their grammar, spelling, punctuation.
Keep that in mind when doing the test, and although the test may spread to several pages, and 500-700 words, that is not the issue.
With more experience and a steady flow of subtitling work, you will be able to find better paid translation work as well.
Oh, yes, and José Henrique is right, don't expect royalties.
[Edited at 2008-03-07 15:34] ▲ Collapse
| | | | fionainrome
Italy
Local time: 08:52
Italian to English
TOPIC STARTER | Haven't heard back | Mar 7, 2008 |
[quote]juvera wrote:
Fiona, the big subtitling companies have set prices and no space for manoeuvre, but as Juliette said, they have a lot of work.
I replied about 4-5 days after I got their email.
(I wanted to talk to my tax advisor first to see what options I had with taxes as I have never worked with companies outside Europe up till now). However, I haven't heard back from them and I was wondering whether maybe they had an urgent job and since it took me a few days to get back to them they don't need my service anymore. This would seem rather strange though, as they had mentioned giving me a test and that would have taken a few days anyway. What do you think?
Also, they never mentioned what subtitling program they use. I only have subtitle workshop on my lap top. I hope they won't suggest I buy any program as I think that would be quite silly when I don't know the amount of work I'd be getting from them.
Any advice?
Thanks!
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juvera
Local time: 07:52
English to Hungarian
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Big companies usually have their own preference regarding software, they often use in-house developped programs.
They give a password and time-restricted copy to their translators. Small companies may not give you enough work to justify the expenses, and they don't necessarily use the same software. No point to buy anything, it could be a waste of money.
Why don't you enquire at the company, what happened?
If they are not helpful, don't bother.
| | | | OlafK
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:52
English to German
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José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote: Frederique Biehler wrote:
For movie translations and subtitles, you get royalties, (which are pretty interesting)...Sacem in france.... I got the impression that this only happens in Douce France. Anywhere else, such things are taken as "services rendered" for once and for all.
In Germany you can get royalties for "secondary use", i. e. DVD rental and the like (only applies to German citizens though). Join the VG WORT (www.vgwort.de) and register all the films, books etc. you translated!
| | | | Eeva Lilley
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:52
English to Finnish
+ ...
Correlation normally means that the DVD subtitling company is using an earlier translation of the film (eg. a theatrical translation) and they are altering it to fit their format. It's mainly adding and deleting some subtitles, merging others.
| | | | fionainrome
Italy
Local time: 08:52
Italian to English
TOPIC STARTER | Still haven't heard back and doubt I ever will | Mar 20, 2008 |
I don't get it, I accepted their fees (which were ridiculous according to many of you), I wrote back to them twice and I've never heard back from them.
The world of translation moves in mysterious ways....
[Edited at 2008-03-20 12:02]
[Edited at 2008-03-20 12:02]
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| Not too bad... | Mar 20, 2008 |
If the rates they proposed you were so ridiculously low then possibly it's better this way, maybe you'll get better opportunities in the future.
| | | | Sylvano
Local time: 08:52
English to French
| Same old song | Mar 21, 2008 |
fionainrome wrote:
I don't get it, I accepted their fees (which were ridiculous according to many of you), I wrote back to them twice and I've never heard back from them.
The world of translation moves in mysterious ways....
[Edited at 2008-03-20 12:02]
[Edited at 2008-03-20 12:02]
I guess you're just a new name in a translators' base. They may call you in a month or two to do a job for the following day. ;o )
| | | | | Yeah, right! | Mar 21, 2008 |
Sylvano wrote:
I guess you're just a new name in a translators' base. They may call you in a month or two to do a job for the following day. ;o )
Maybe next year... they never know when a job so tough and/or so cheap will come up to force them into using a newcomer.
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