Following the growth of mobile phones and remote devices, subtitles are becoming increasingly popular for watching videos online, especially subtitles for Netflix and Amazon series . With subtitles created during different time periods and with different regulations and specification, there can be a huge array of different styles. Just like the TV shows you are watching, personal preference plays a part but there are some elements that should always be followed for optimum subtitles.
Keep subtitles onscreen long enough
There are two main elements that make up the fundamentals of good subtitles: timing and text. Subtitle readers should be able to have time to enjoy their show in a leisurely way, assisted by subtitles, not be put through a high tension reading race. This is key to making perfect subtitles for Netflix and Amazon.
Don’t allow your subtiles to linger
Whilst not having sufficient time to read subtitles can be frustrating, lingering subtitles can be just as bad. Having too much time to read subtitles often means reading the text and then having to wait for it to be said. It’s a bit like having someone sitting next to you, explaining what’s about to happen next. Subtitles should ideally be split between sentence and when ellipsis are used, the subsequent text should be on the next subtitle. An example of this would be the Amazon Prime subtitles for a Knight’s Tale.
Work with Forced Narrative and Translations Correctly
Especially with Netflix and Amazon, many series and films nowadays have segments that are in a foreign language. When this is the case, it’s highly important to include as forced narrative the translated sections. Have you ever used Netflix subtitles for English CC but when the translated subtitles for foreign speech should display, they don’t?
This is an issue with forced narrative and it’s a huge problem with a lot of video on demand subtitle content. On some films, the only workaround is to switch the subtitles off when there is foreign speech so the translation displays. One example of this issue can be found with the Rush Hour subtitles for Netflix.
Proper Grammar
The rule of thumb when it comes to closed captioning is writers should use verbatim as much as possible. This is great when it comes to reflecting accents, slang and accuracy of what is spoken but when grammar is involved, closed captions should use proper English. Sentences should be split in a way that’s both natural to what is being said and reflects long pauses and full stops should always be used to ensure that viewers aren’t left having to guess whether they’re waiting for more. Using poor grammar in subtitling can be incredibly distracting and the worst mistake can be to write captions entirely in capital letters. Capitalisations should traditionally be used only to indicate shouting but some shows may actually use capitals throughout! For an example of this, check out the Netflix subtitles for Friends.
Identify Speakers
Good subtitles should indicate speakers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing viewers wherever it’s required. There are numerous different ways of doing this and audiences will usually have their own preferred method, but the main thing is to be consistent. Placing subtitles to the left or right is a common choice for both VOD and broadcast subtitles alike, and is usually the easiest, fastest way to indicate a speaker. However, over the past few years, other VOD providers such as the BBC have changed their guidelines for subtitling iPlayer videos and online content to prioritise using different colours for each speaker. This can be a nice way to indicate speaker changes as it means viewers can keep their eye centre-screen which is less distracting but they do have to focus harder to remember which speaker is which. Online videos often name the speaker at the start of text with no other indication of who is speaking, but this method is not typically used for broadcast or video on demand captions.
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