Footage Transcription at Post-production and Release Stage

Footage transcription for movies, documentaries or other TV/radio programs at post-production and release stages is known as post production script. This script may be required along with your project during the distribution stage. Post-production script is simply shot by shot, word by word description of your film or program and typically used for re-languaging (dubbing into foreign language), reversioning or subtitling. When you are transcribing from raw footage, transcripts can be delivered in any format you choose (for example, in full-verbatim or not). This is not the case with post-production script. Let’s see this in detail.

Generally, post-production scripts include the following:

>> Full shot log that describes the pictures, titles and on screen captions

>> Transcription of all comments and sync in and out of vision

>> Indications for music by giving title name

>> Time codes to identify all of the above

However, every distributor or broadcaster will have their own ideas of transcription format they require. These can include simplest to most complex forms, which are discussed below.

Dialogue Lists

A dialogue list comprised of word-accurate dialogue and corresponding speaker IDs. You can prepare a dialogue list without any time code references, with time code references in for each speaker or with time code references in and out for each speaker.

As-produced Script

An as-produced script is often referred to as broadcast script and serves as a true copy of the final program that will be broadcast. This includes act breaks, scene breakdowns and descriptions, continuity as specified along with word-accurate dialogue and speaker IDs. There may be time codes denoting the scenes or acts.

SFX Dialogue Script

This includes act breaks, speaker ID, word-accurate dialogue and sound effects timed in along with a shot-by-shot dialogue breakdown. The script does not include continuity though.

Combined Continuity Dialogue and Spotting List (CCSL)

This is a very complex and most expensive format. There is simple and comprehensive CCSL. A simple CCSL consists of the following.

>> Word-accurate dialogue and speaker IDs

>> Numbered shots along with time code reference

>> Concisely described continuity

>> Numbered mainly titles and supers

A comprehensive CCSL consists of all elements of simple CCSL and the following:

>> Numbered titles and fully timed subtitles

>> Separate list for edited titles that comply with current subtitling standards

>> All nonverbal utterances

>> Dialogues are annotated to help translators understand the language

>> Notation to whom a character is speaking

Both simple and comprehensive CCSL is either completed in a time code format, foot and frame format or in both formats.

While a script typically includes dialogues, action and movements, CCSL contains all the actual content within your film and is based on final product. This is usually used for legal purposes in case of discrepancies that occur after the production. Since CCSL contains detailed information about the scenes, shots used, dialogues that are timed, and locations where the movie was shot, it is easier to find any details required regarding the production.

Custom Script

Custom script includes the unusual requirements of distributor or broadcaster. The format will depend upon their unique needs.

You can prepare post-production script with your own production home or outsource the work to a service provider. If you have a large project, limited budget and time constraints, it is better to outsource rather than do it in-house.