There are countless subtitling and captioning programs, ranging from specialised to amateur. So how do you decide which software to use for your project? This depends largely on the compatibility of your editing software with the subtitling software. ScreenScribez subtitlers are experienced and proficient in multiple software, but we recommend Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, or EZTitles. Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro can both also be used for editing, which makes for a seamless post-production experience with everyone using the software. However, because not all editing software has a subtitle or caption function, EZTitles provides multiple plug-in options for most editing software. It’s important that there is…

A style guide is a comprehensive document or manual containing all the style or house rules for a given project – from the preferred font and reading-time of each subtitle to punctuation and phraseology. Does every sentence get a full stop? Which punctuation marks should be avoided? Are ellipses or commas used to indicate an incomplete sentence? How much time should be given per subtitle for viewers to comfortably follow along without missing the action? Should your preferred font have background shading or a solid block? Which South African words and phrases are commonly accepted? Do we follow a descriptive or prescriptive approach to language? These may seem like obvious…

Whether it’s an established television staple, or a brand-new series or feature-length movie or documentary, high-quality subtitles can mean the difference between engaging and alienating your audience. South Africa is multi-lingual, with its 11 official languages spoken across the nation and on our television every day. Because of this, it’s important to engage as large an audience as possible, catering to existing and potential viewers. This includes viewers of different languages to what is being spoken, viewers who are hard of hearing, and even viewers watching on phones or in lobby areas with the sound off. So what sets us apart from other subtitlers in South Africa? ScreenScribez is an…