You’re probably familiar with dubbing — the process of adding or replacing dialogue in a movie or video production.
Dubbing is often used to localize content for audiences that speak different languages.
The dialogue is lip synced to on-screen characters and mixed with the original music and SFX to create the finished soundtrack.
It’s particularly common in animation since it’s easier to record different vocal tracks for an animated character.
While dubs are occasionally used for live-action content, it’s much tricker to do well when viewers can tell that the dialogue isn’t synced to the original actor’s movements.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of dubbing and the role it plays in various types of audiovisual content including movies and TV shows.
What Is Dubbing?
As mentioned above, dubbing (sometimes called “revoicing”) is the practice of adding or replacing dialogue in audiovisual content.
Film and TV creators often choose dubbing over subtitles when they want foreign audiences to hear characters speak in their own language.
Immediately understanding what the characters are saying can be more impactful than hearing a foreign language and reading the translation.
On the other hand, some creators and audiences prefer to keep the original voices and use subtitles to communicate meaning.
It ultimately depends on the creator’s vision as well as the type of content in question.
Dubbing can be extremely complex in a dramatic setting.
Actors are chosen in the original language, and the dubbing team needs to translate their performances into other languages.
This includes faithfully translating the script and finding actors who match the originals in style and tone.
Dubbing also requires consistent attention to detail in order to provide the same experience in different languages.
One of the main challenges is making sure that the dubbed recording aligns with the act of speaking displayed on screen.
Even small translation or timing errors can pull the audience out of what they’re watching.
With that being said, effective dubbing is an achievable goal.
Given a unified creative vision and a commitment to consistency across languages, there’s almost no limit to the possibilities.
“Let It Go” is a perfect example of nearly seamless dubbing in a large number of languages.
You probably don’t have the $150 million budget that Disney had for “Frozen,” but you can still create high-quality dubs at a relatively low cost.
How Does Dubbing Work?
The concept of dubbing is fairly simple: recording voice tracks in different languages for international audiences.
On the other hand, the actual process of dubbing is highly complex.
A successful dub requires collaboration among a wide range of specialists.
Let’s take a look at some key elements that go into the final product.
Translators need to balance the literal meaning of the original script with the expectations of different audiences.
This becomes even more complicated when the script needs to match an existing video.
Unlike translating written content, translating content for dubbing requires close attention to timing.
Let’s say an animated character appears to be speaking a particular line for three seconds.
The translation needs to:
Match the meaning of the original line
Take three seconds for the voice actor to say
Sound natural and believable in the target language
A translator who typically works on books or websites may struggle with the unique aspects of dubbing.
At the very least, you’ll want to work with one translator who’s familiar with these challenges.
Finding Actors
After preparing new scripts, you’ll need to look for voice actors in each language you want to dub.
Like any other voice over work, dubbing is at its best when the voice actors are tailored to the specific needs of the job.
It’s impossible to find a perfect match for an original actor, but you should still try to find the best possible voice actor in the target language.
This is easy enough for companies like Disney, but it’s a real challenge for smaller studios.
You may not know where to find voice actors who work in different languages, and you may not have any employees who speak the languages you’re looking for.
You should also include a recording of the original voice actor to give them a clear idea of the style you have in mind.
Ask candidates to submit audition tapes using your script so you can hear how they’ll sound in character.
Recording the Dub
Once you have a final script and a team of voice actors, you’re ready to start recording.
Remember that the actual recording session is just one element of a much larger process.
To make the most of your session time, you need to prepare in advance and make sure everyone is on the same page.
This means finalizing any script changes, giving actors time to read through their lines, testing the recording quality, and understanding how to direct a voice actor remotely.
It’s also a good idea to send voice actors the original content so that they can see how the original actor played their character.
Professional voice actors use cutting-edge equipment to optimize recording quality and minimize background noise.
Many also have dedicated home studios for professional-quality recordings, removing the need to pay for studio space.
Most major cities have recording studios open to rent, but this will add a significant cost and force you to work with actors who are located in the same city.
Dub recording usually involves actors reading their lines while watching the same point in the original video.
This keeps the recording connected to the narrative and gives each line its proper place in the story.
Of course, the project director will need to direct the actors and ensure that they’re achieving the correct tone.
“Cowboy Bebop,” one of the earliest animes to get popular in the United States, is often considered one of the best examples of dubbing.
Rather than simply imitating the original, the English voice actors find unique ways to explore the characters on their own terms while staying true to the creator’s vision.
Layering the Audio
After recording the new voice lines, all that’s left is to integrate them into the video.
The audio needs to match the on-screen mouth movements, so this is an extremely precise process that should be left to an experienced professional.
Poorly optimized dubs will stick out and detract from the overall impression.
Ideally, viewers won’t even be able to tell that they’re not listening to the original audio.
Successful dubbing takes time, resources, and contributions from various professionals, but the final result is well worth the effort.
Automated Dialogue Replacement
Automated dialogue replacement, or ADR, is used to re-record audio lines that didn’t go well during the initial take.
You’d be surprised how often ADR is applied even in live-action content.
The example below demonstrates the improvement ADR can offer even outside of dubbing.
Crisp, accurate voice overs are a critical element of the polished final product in dubbing as well as conventional films and TV shows.
With ADR, you can smooth over weak spots from the original take and create an even better final product.
Of course, you’ll need a sound editor who understands how to seamlessly integrate ADR into an audio recording.
Final Thoughts
While dubbing might sound as simple as translating and re-recording, effective dubbing depends on high-quality work at every stage of the process.
With the right team and equipment, you can provide an equally engaging experience in every target language.
2 Comments
Good luck 🙂
Thank you 🙏