Freelance Subtitling, Closed Captioning and Transcription Jobs

Here at Capital Captions we are always on the look-out for experienced, talented freelance transcriptionists, subtitlers and closed captioning specialists. Many articles on freelance transcription centre around what’s transcription companies require in terms of transcriptionists, but few delve into what freelance subtitling, closed ccaptioning and transcription jobs involve. In this blog we’ll give you a quick guide to what we do, as well as what to expect if you choose to work with us. 

Transcription Jobs

At Capital Captions, we work with transcription projects from all over the world. We offer our multinational clients  a top-notch transcription service and work with some of the best international audio typists. We thoroughly vet our transcriptionists before they take on work with us. Once transcriptionists start work, we carefully allocate audio and video files based on specialisms and experience. Sectors that we work with involve: 

• Medical transcription, 
• Legal transcription
• Financial transcription 
• Research transcription
• Media transcription 
• and more…

We encourage our audio typists to always work to their strengths. Formatting afficionados may enjoy working with PowerPoint transcriptions and copy typing work and typists with a very keen ear for over-speaking may appreciate focus group transcriptions. Similarly, transcriptionists who have travelled the world or who have developed international networks and working partnerships may provide excellent audio typing services where speakers have a range of different accents. 

In summary, many of our transcription jobs can include: 

• Transcription of focus groups with high amounts of over speaking
• Conference transcriptions of international speakers with a variety of accents
• Dictations involving formatting and working to strict templates and guidelines
• Transcription around specialist sectors where research and knowledge of key terms is a prerequisite

When it comes to freelance subtitling, closed captioning and transcription jobs, transcription work tends to be the most prevalent and requires the least amount of previous experience and/or qualifications. 

Subtitling Jobs

Capital Captions specialise in high quality subtitling services. We have an ongoing recruitment process in terms of subtitler jobs. We are always on the lookout to take on newly qualified, experienced subtitlers. In return, we provide competitive rates and ongoing training and feedback. Subtitling covers a broad range of transcription work. It includes both foreign subtitling and also closed captioning (SDH: subtitles for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired). We’ll discuss our closed captioning positions  in the next section, but here, we’ll refer to basic subtitling and subtitle translations.

We work with foreign speakers and international linguists to provide subtitle translations that are accurately translated, localised and timed. Our subtitling work involves not only translating speech directly, but also making amendments on the basis of cultural and regional knowledge. In addition, subtitling requires a keen eye for detail. Quality checks, reading speed amendments, line length monitoring and well thought out line splits are all part of the subtitling process.

For those considering applying for subtitling jobs with Capital Captions, we require the below skill sets (in addition to qualifications and at least two years experience).

• Proficiency and fluency in at least one language pair (unless working with subtitle translation templates)
• Pay close attention to detail in terms of subtitle grammar, punctuation and spelling
• Able to work to strict guidelines around subtitle line splitting, reading speeds, character encoding and visual formatting
• Reliably meet tight deadlines without compromising on caption and subtitle quality
• Able to burn subtitles and make formatting edits to ensure the best experience for subtitle readers and viewers 

In the world of freelance subtitling, closed captioning and transcription jobs, English subtitling and subtitle translation are competitive sectors for finding work. Translation jobs provide highly competitive rates and subtitling can be time consuming and requires a lot of skill.

Closed Captioning Jobs

The process of writing closed captions requires a similar set of skills to subtitling, with a few additions. Closed captioning services are created primarily for deaf and hard of hearing audiences, and are regulated in the UK by Ofcom. For this reason, closed captions include sound effects and descriptions, identification of speakers, a verbatim style of writing. Closed caption writers also need to possess an understanding of the needs of the target audience. Transcriptionists applying for closed captioning work need to possess impeccable writing skills as well as a keen ear. In addition, writers should have the ability to accurately describe sound effects and events that a deaf viewer may not be aware of. 

In terms of formatting, closed captioning guidelines can be quite complex. Many include stipulations on where line splits need to occur and what should and should not be included within the video transcription. In addition, closed captioning jobs also require encoding of the final closed captions to work with the video feed. 

Apply or Learn More About our Freelance Subtitling, Closed Captioning and Transcription Jobs

So there yo have it, if you are interested in working for us as a transcriptionist, subtitle creator, closed caption creator or translator and feel you have the necessary skills to succeed in the industry, send in a copy of your CV and we’ll be in touch to help get you  started on your way to a successful career.