Table of contents

Defining Scope of Work

Defining Pivot Language Dialogue List (PLDL)

Scope of Work

Source materials provided

Locked cut

Final Proxy

Requirements

Timeline expectations

30-minute episodic

60-minute episodic

Episodic over 60 minutes

Features

Up to 90 minutes

Over 90 minutes

Sample timelines

      30-minute episodic example

      60-minute episodic example

 

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 

Preliminary video, or locked cut, serves as the first video reference asset. Often, the timeline requires starting the dubbing process before Production is fully done, and scripting of the source content is done using the locked cut.

 

Final Proxy

Final Proxy is the final cut picture. Once the final proxy or IMF (Interoperable Master Format) is delivered, the script must be updated (conformed) to match the changes made from the preliminary version to its final version.

 

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.
  • After the first version is created, the script is conformed to the new video version while still maintaining the authoring and proofing steps requirement.
• 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.
• 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. Transcribers, translators, and proofers should have access to Terminology.
• In the Scripting Authoring tool, scripting partners will use 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 have 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 small tweaks. 
  • Transcribers should ensure that timecodes are within a 3-frame tolerance of the lip flap or spoken word start and end time.
• 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.

• Once the proofing step is completed, the Authoring tool automatically submits the script to fulfill the Final Script source request in Backlot.

 

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 refer to Monday through Friday.
• A proxy refers to the video for an episode in a season or a standalone project. It can be the locked cut or the final picture.
• A batch of proxies refers to all proxies available for PLDL creation or conformance.
  • The proxies in a batch can be a mix of locked cuts and final pictures of the episodes in a show’s season.
  • A new batch starts when a proxy is received after the last PLDL in the current batch is delivered. 

 

30-minute episodic

Upon receipt of video:

• Five business days for the first proxy in the batch.
• One additional  business day for each remaining available proxy in the batch, e.g. delivery of the next proxy by the seventh business day, the third proxy by the eighth business day.

 

60-minute episodic 

Upon receipt of video:

• Six business days for the first proxy in the batch.
• Additional two business days for each remaining available proxy in the batch, e.g. delivery of the next proxy by the eighth business day, the third proxy by the tenth business day.

 

Episodic over 60 minutes

Upon receipt of video:

• Seven business days for the first proxy.
• Additional three business days for each remaining available proxy in the batch, e.g. delivery of the next proxy by the tenth business day, the third proxy by the thirteenth business day.

 

Features

Up to 90 minutes

Upon receipt of video:

• Seven business days for the first proxy.
• Three business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

Over 90 minutes

Upon receipt of video:

• Eight business days for the first proxy.
• Three business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

Sample timelines

The tables below demonstrate the timeline expectations for the delivery of PLDLs. 

30-minute episodic example

The rows in the table are in the order the proxies were received. 

 

60-minute episodic example

The rows in the table are in the order the proxies were received. 

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Change Log:

2023-04-30

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

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