Why Documentary Filmmakers Should Use Transcriptions

Making documentaries involves a lot of heart and hard work, which is why as a filmmaker, you need to make sure your work will be received and consumed well. One thing you can do this is by utilizing transcriptions. Transcriptions can do a lot for the filmmakers and for the documentary itself. From the editing process to the audience reach, to the accessibility, the various reasons why documentary filmmakers should use transcriptions should not be disregarded. 

Here are the benefits of transcribing documentary films

It helps the editing process

Post-production transcripts speed up the editing process and make it a much smoother experience for documentary filmmakers. With transcriptions at hand, filmmakers have a searchable medium they can use as a reference. The timestamps in transcriptions also make it better for you to go back to certain parts of the film to edit or correct mistakes. Transcriptions can also be used to take a final look at the dialogue and see if everything is good or if some parts need to be replaced. 

It makes your documentary more accessible

Transcriptions can also be used to create the official captions or subtitles for the documentary. In turn, captions can make your work more accessible. People with hearing impairments, vision impairments, or even those with learning disabilities have a chance to watch your content without any conflict. With captions, you’re making your documentary much more accessible for all kinds of audiences.

It allows for better consumption

Documentaries with transcriptions and captions also mean people can consume your content better. With captions, your audience will be able to watch your documentary on the go—on their phones, tablets, laptops whenever they want. People can also watch it in various environments, whether it be on their commute on their way from work or a library or a cafe while they work or study. 

Transcriptions, on the other hand, make it possible for other people to consume the documentary film in another way. Those who’d prefer to read a word-for-word account of the documentary in their own time can turn to the documentary transcriptions. 

It makes translation easier

Post-production transcripts also make it easier for filmmakers to translate their documentary. Documentaries with translations can be distributed globally, where they could reach new audiences in different populations. This can help the overall reach of the filmmakers’ work and can contribute to its success. 

It helps students, researchers, or journalists

Documentary transcriptions will be a huge aid to students, researchers, or journalists alike. They can use these transcriptions to get data and reliable information for their papers or research, or use these transcripts as a reference for reports and articles. Instead of re-watching documentaries for a couple of hours, they can simply search for particular scenes and parts through the transcriptions. This speeds up their work efforts and helps their education and their projects. 

Why get a Transcription Company for your Documentary Transcriptions

For your documentary transcriptions, you can hire a reliable transcription company that can do the job for you. Companies offering entertainment transcription services including documentary transcriptions can take care of your post-production transcripts. They can provide accurate and well-formatted transcription files based on your preferred turnaround time. Some can even provide closed captioning services that will further add value to documentaries.