Working As A Subtitle Translator for Netflix And My Career Journey

Summary

Sue shares her five-year journey as a subtitle translator, detailing her start in the field, the challenges of inconsistent pay and project availability, and the transition to working with major platforms like Netflix. She highlights the difficulties of freelance work, the stress of tight deadlines, and the disconnect between her significant experience and corporate job recognition. Sue's narrative offers insight into the realities of working in online translation and her decision to pursue further education over continuing in the industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sue has five years of experience as a subtitle translator and has worked with major channels.
• 🎬 She became interested in subtitle translation after watching movies and noticing discrepancies in translations.
• 🌐 Sue started her career in subtitle translation by volunteering at the World Youth Congress and was introduced to the field by a fellow volunteer.
• 🛠 She used the software 'Subtitle Workshop' to create subtitles and initially worked on lesser-known TV series.
• 💰 Early in her career, Sue struggled with the low pay and high workload of subtitle translation, which led her to quit for a time.
• 📚 She returned to translation work when a friend needed help with documentary episodes without scripts, which eventually led to paid work.
• 📺 Sue translated episodes for popular shows like 'The Office' and her work appeared on DVDs sold in stores, which was a rewarding experience.
• 🌐 She also worked on content for various channels including Sundance, Discovery, Travel, and Food Network, eventually translating dubbing scripts as well.
• 📈 Sue had the opportunity to work with Netflix, Turkey, translating a variety of shows including 'Gossip Girl' and 'RuPaul's Drag Race'.
• 💼 Despite the satisfaction of her work, Sue faced challenges with inconsistent pay, strict deadlines, and the freelance nature of the job affecting her personal life.
• 🏆 Working for BBC, Turkey was a highlight of her career, providing a sense of accomplishment and prestige.
• 🚫 The freelance nature of subtitle translation made it difficult for Sue to transition to full-time corporate jobs, as her experience was not always recognized.
• 📉 She decided to stop subtitle translating due to the inconsistent income, project availability, and the inability to maintain a regular schedule.
• 🔍 Netflix offers an online test for potential subtitle translators, which Sue took and scored well on, but it didn't guarantee work due to high competition.
• 🔗 For those interested, Sue recommends taking the Netflix test for subtitle translation work as a potential opportunity.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Sue's video?

The main topic of Sue's video is her five-year experience working as a subtitle translator online.

Why did Sue initially get interested in subtitle translation?

Sue initially got interested in subtitle translation because she was curious about the process of subtitling movies, especially after watching them in theaters.

What is the difference between 'notion' and 'word-for-word' translation according to Sue?

According to Sue, 'notion' translation is more about conveying the overall meaning of the original text, while 'word-for-word' translation focuses on translating each word directly, with subtitling falling into the category of 'notion' translation.

How did Sue get her start in the subtitle translation field?

Sue got her start in the subtitle translation field by volunteering at the World Youth Congress, where a fellow volunteer helped her join a popular Turkish platform as a subtitle translator.

What software did Sue use for her subtitle translation work?

Sue used the software 'Subtitle Workshop' for her subtitle translation work.

Why did Sue initially give up on subtitle translation work?

Sue initially gave up on subtitle translation work because it was too much work for not being paid.

What TV series did Sue translate and what was special about this experience?

Sue translated episodes of 'The Office' (US version with Steve Carell), and it was special because her work appeared on DVDs sold in stores, which was satisfying and fulfilling for her.

What challenges did Sue face while working as a subtitle translator?

Sue faced challenges such as inconsistent pay, strict deadlines, and the inability to have a proper schedule, which affected her personal life and health.

How did Sue's work with Netflix come about?

Sue's work with Netflix came about when a production company she was working for started receiving projects from Netflix, and she translated various shows including 'Gossip Girl' and 'Teen Wolf'.

What was the most demotivating aspect of Sue's subtitle translation work?

The most demotivating aspect of Sue's subtitle translation work was the realization of how much more the production companies profited from her work compared to her pay, and the lack of job security and benefits.

Why did Sue decide to stop working as a subtitle translator?

Sue decided to stop working as a subtitle translator due to inconsistent pay, lack of project opportunities, and the inability to maintain a proper life schedule.

What advice does Sue give to those interested in subtitle translation work?

Sue advises those interested in subtitle translation work to take the test provided by Netflix directly, as it offers a chance to work with them and potentially receive better pay.