Subtitling Techniques (online course)

Registrations open! ★

Where: Wherever you are! Simply connect to the live, interactive online classroom
When: Saturdays from October 24 to December 12, 2020, at 3 pm EST (see other time zones, consider daylight savings changes after November 1)

► Registration Form

This course presents the foundations of film subtitling, including space and time restrictions, insights about text style, dialogue pace, and image editing. The classes gradually introduce the software Subtitle Workshop 6.0b, which is free. There are eight 2-hour classes followed by individual activities. The online platform used is GoToMeeting. The goal is to provide students with a solid base for subtitling practice and familiarity with one of the most widely used software. The course is not language-specific and does not intend to teach translation; students can work in any language.

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Frequently asked questions:

When will be the next subtitling course?

Saturdays from October 24 to December 12, 2020, at 3 pm EST (see other time zones, consider daylight savings changes after November 1)

Please note that class dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, especially in face of the COVID-19 pandemic. If that happens, make-up dates will be scheduled.

► Registration Form

How much does it cost and how can I pay for the course?

The price of the course is US$ 400 for students from any country except Canada, or CAD 500+tax for Canadian residents. Forms of payment are PayPal, credit card, Interac, or bank transfer. The course can be paid in two installments, provided the second installment is paid before the second class.

What are the technical requirements?

Subtitle Workshop 6.0b runs on Windows. For Windows 10 users, the portable version is recommended. For Mac users, a Windows emulator is required to install the subtitling software.

GoToMeeting is multi-platform and easy to use. The student must have a microphone and (preferably) headphones. No camera is needed. To avoid technical issues in the first class, it’s important to schedule a quick test and setup with me at any time before the day of the first class.

Are the classes recorded? What happens if I miss a class or a class it rescheduled?

Classes are recorded, and the recording is shared with the students afterward. The video remains available for streaming for two weeks. If you miss a class, you can see the recorded video and keep in touch with me for any additional help or clarification.

In the rare event that I might need to reschedule a class, a make-up date will be scheduled and other options will be provided, including individual classes if needed. I’ll make sure you don’t miss any content.

How is the course structure and class dynamics?

The groups are small, with 6 students at most. Classes are given by Carol Alfaro and are live, not pre-recorded. Through GoToMeeting, the students can see the instructor’s PowerPoint slides and computer screen while they hear her voice. They can communicate by voice or text.

At each class, new concepts and techniques are introduced, always illustrated with brief activities. After each class, an individual exercise is assigned, which is sent back by e-mail and given private feedback. It’s important to estimate two or three times the class workload to be able to complete the individual activities and make the most of the course.

The classes don’t aim to teach students how to translate, and the students can work in any language. For this reason, those with prior experience in translation or interpretation are likely to benefit the most from this course. The exercises are provided in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.

What are the requirements to make the most out of this course?

Excellent oral understanding skills in the source language, excellent writing skills (grammar and style) in the target language, advanced computer skills (software installation and configuration, learning new tools, ability to research and solve technical issues). Having previous experience in translation or interpretation is an asset.

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Registration and more information:

If you have any questions, please write Carol.

To register, please complete and submit the form below. Carol will get back to you to confirm your registration and arrange the payment.

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