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Table of contents

Defining Scope of Work

Defining Pivot Language Dialogue List (PLDL)

Scope of Work

Source materials provided

Locked Cut

Final Cut

Requirements

Authoring

Proofing

Scripting Authoring Tool

Additional Guidelines

Timeline expectations

Features

       Up to 90 minutes

    Over 90 minutes

Series

       30-minute episodic

       60-minute episodic

       Over 60 minutes

Batch Delivery Timelines

       30-minute episodic

       60-minute episodic

         Over 60 minutes

Expedited Turnaround (DAB)

 Up to 30-minute episodic

      30-40 minute episodic

 40-70 minute episodic

      Over 70 minutes (Including Features)

 

Defining Scope of Work

The Scope of Work (SoW) document provides Netflix’s general expectations and requirements for the Pivot Language Dialogue List (PLDL) commissioned from scripting partners. 

 

Defining Pivot Language Dialogue List (PLDL)

The Pivot Language Dialogue List is a transcription of the dialogue in the original language of the content with a translation in English to serve as the pivot language for translation into other languages. The PLDL  also includes:

  • In and out timecodes of events timed to video and verbatim
  • Dialogue annotation to aid translation
  • Metadata tags

Scope of Work

The Pivot Language Dialogue List is used by dubbing studios to create the dubbing script and dubbed audio for their target language. Adherence to requirements ensures consistency and high-quality output.

 

Source materials provided

 

Locked Cut 

A locked cut, or preliminary video, serves as the first video reference asset. Oftentimes, the timeline requires starting the dubbing process before Production is fully complete. Partners are expected to start translating, adapting, cast, and recording until the final video is available. 

 

Final Cut

The final cut is the final picture reference asset. It is a proxy derived from the IMF (Interoperable Master Format) file. Once the final cut becomes available, the script must be updated (conformed) to account for changes made from previous versions.

 

Requirements

  • All scripting partners commissioned to create a script for the original content must use Netflix’s Script Authoring tool to author a frame-accurate timing and transcription of the dialogue to the video provided.
  • All work is allocated via Grand Bazaar. 
  • Scripting partners have to assign their resources to the tasks using Netflix’s Content Localization Portal (CLP), the central location to manage the authoring process.
  • Fulfillment will include one delivery to a locked cut video (a preliminary picture) and conformance (update) to the final picture. 
    • Any additional versioning is subject to conformance rate and is requested at the Netflix representative’s discretion. 
  • The pivot language dialogue list authoring process involves two steps for each picture version, “Authoring” and “Proofing”. 
    • These two steps (Authoring and Proofing) will always be required; be it when a task becomes ready for Conformance, or when fixes need to be implemented to the PLDL. 

Authoring

  • The authoring step comprises transcribing the original audio and translating the transcription into English. Both the transcriber and the translator should annotate their transcription/translation thoroughly. These annotations should document all (meta) linguistic aspects relevant to the plot and understanding of the dialogue, as described in the Dialogue List Style Guide.
    • A native speaker of the source language should transcribe the original dialogue.
    • A native English speaker with professional knowledge of the source language of the video should translate the transcription into English.
      • If the translator is not a native English speaker, the proofreading step by a native English speaker is required to ensure native fluency in the translation.
  • One or more transcribers can do the transcription process.
    • Multiple transcribers can be utilized to work on the same proxy. 
    • For episodic content, batches of episodes can also be assigned to multiple transcribers.
  • Use one English translator for all episodes in a season, if possible, to ensure consistency.

Proofing

  • Only one person should do the proofing pass for all episodes to ensure consistency.
  • If not feasible, contact the Netflix representative if you need to engage more than two proofers

Scripting Authoring Tool

  • In the Scripting Authoring tool, scripting partners will work using the most recent production-provided proxies (preliminary or final). 
    • Additional materials like shooting scripts may be available but are not required for fulfillment.
    • Dialogue stems, when available, are accessible directly through the media player using the language selector menu. The stems are unavailable if the menu doesn’t offer this option.
  • Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology generates empty spotted events with in and out timecodes, along with generic speaker identity.
    • The timecode accuracy is almost always sufficient but may require adjustments. 
    • Transcribers should ensure that timecodes are within a 3-frame tolerance of the lip flap or spoken word start and end time.
  • Once the Proofing pass is completed, the Authoring tool automatically submits the script to fulfill the Final Script source request in Backlot.

Additional Guidelines

  • Transcribers, translators, and proofers should have access to Terminology.
  • Authors (transcribers and translators) and proofers should follow the Dialogue List Style Guide.
  • Authors should enter key source terms and phrases in Terminology using the KNP Source Term Creation Guidelines.

 

Timeline expectations

  • The PLDL must deliver by the due date to be considered on time. 
  • If the PLDL fulfillment partner cannot meet the timelines for any reason, they should notify the Netflix representative immediately.  
  • Failure to meet requirements and style guide specifications will result in redelivery requests at the partner’s expense and will impact metrics.
  • The timelines below are general expectations that could be adjusted based on the needs of each project.
    • Request for delivery in less time than specified below may be subject to rush fees. 

Business days: Monday through Friday.
Proxy: A video for an episode in a season or a standalone project. It can be a locked cut, servicing master, or the final cut.


FEATURES

UP TO 90 MINUTES

Upon receipt of video:

  • Seven (7) business days for the first proxy.
  • Three (3) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

OVER 90 MINUTES

Upon receipt of video:

  • ​​Eight (8) business days for the first proxy.
  • Three (3) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

SERIES

30-MINUTE EPISODIC

Upon receipt of video:

  • Five (5) business days for the first proxy.
  • Two (2) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

60-MINUTE EPISODIC 

Upon receipt of video:

  • Six (6) business days for the first proxy.
  • Two (2) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

OVER 60 MINUTES

Upon receipt of video:

  • Seven (7) business days for the first proxy.
  • Three (3) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

Batch Delivery Timelines

Netflix considers any fulfillment a “batch” when multiple proxies become available on the same date. The below demonstrates the timeline expectations for the batch delivery of Pivot Language Dialogue Lists. 

 

30-MINUTE EPISODIC

Upon receipt of video:

  • Five (5) business days for the first proxy.
  • One (1) additional business day for each remaining available proxy.

 

60-MINUTE EPISODIC 

Upon receipt of video:

  • Six (6) business days for the first proxy.
  • Two (2) additional business days for each remaining available proxy.

 

OVER 60 MINUTES

Upon receipt of video:

  • Seven (7) business days for the first proxy.
  • Three (3) additional business days for each remaining available proxy.

 

Expedited Turnaround (DAB)

For all Korean title DAB* scripted series, the PLDL workflow will require an expedited turnaround. A 25% rush fee is granted to the PLDL any time this workflow takes place.

  • Some tags/indicators (‘#’ or ‘@’ etc for easy searching) will be added in the ‘annotation’ box - allowing dubbing partners to track any critical/important changes/revisions. Any revisions will be reflected in the final PLDL (version 2).

DAB: Day After Broadcast

 

UP TO 30-MINUTE EPISODIC

Upon receipt of video:

  • Two (2) business days for the first proxy
  • Two (2) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

30-40 MINUTE EPISODIC

Upon receipt of video:

  • Three (3) business days for the first proxy (when released ‘Sunday to Wednesday’)
  • Two (2) business days for the first proxy (when released ‘Thursday to Saturday’)
    •  e.g. Thursday release requires delivery turnaround on the following Monday
  • Two (2) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

40-70 MINUTE EPISODIC

Upon receipt of video:

  • Four (4) business days for the first proxy (when released ‘Sunday to Tuesday’)
  • Three (3) business days for the first proxy (when released ‘Wednesday to Saturday’)
    • e.g. Wednesday release requires delivery turnaround on the following Monday
  • Two (2) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

OVER 70 (INCLUDING FEATURES)

Upon receipt of video:

  • Five (5) business days for the first proxy (when released ‘Sunday to Monday’)
  • Four (4) business days for the first proxy (when released ‘Tuesday to Saturday’)
    • e.g. Tuesday release requires delivery turnaround on the following Monday
  • Two (2) business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.



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Change Log:

2023-07-25

  • Updated definition for “Locked Cut.”
  • Switching “Final Proxy” nomenclature to “Final Cut” and updating its definition.
  • Breaking down the “Requirements” section for clarity.
  • Added “conformance SLAs” for Episodic deliveries.
  • Added “Batch Delivery Timelines” for Episodic deliveries.
  • Added DAB Expedited Timeline;
  • Removed “Sample Timelines” table.

2023-04-30

  • Clarification on the timeline expectations and added sample timelines as examples.
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