International Dialogue

Most viewers are familiar with the part of localization characterized by dubbing—the disembodied voices of questionable sync that often produce an aesthetic atrocity. This is, however, a culturally determined view. In a number of non-English speaking locations the attitude towards dubbing ranges from acceptance to celebration, as voice actors share public admiration along with their on-screen doubles. A less-known part of the localization process takes place during the preparation of elements intended for international versioning. This stage involves a careful evaluation of all indistinct original vocal sounds such as breaths, efforts, screams, grunts, and so on, which are packaged along with the music and effects tracks intended for international versioning. In the following several sequences the dialogue is composed of both original audio and dubbed dialogue. Note particularly in the last example, the seamless integration of elements. One of the secrets of the contemporary transnational blockbuster is that there is, deliberately, no discernible dialogue during action sequences, precisely with the intention of increasing immersion and facilitating international distribution.

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