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Stranger Thingsevoked a lot of emotions this season especially if you flipped on your subtitles setting.
Use adverbs where appropriate, Rokni says.
Describe sounds, music, and even silence.
Its important if it adds to the emotion.
The latest addition to the style guide, around 2020, was for subtitlers to be more detailed.
And thus, the sensational, nearly no-holds-barred descriptive subtitles ofStranger Things 4.
Our little corner of production is rarely seen, Jeff quipped.
Lets start with some background how did you guys get into the subtitles business?
[laughs] Nothing terribly exciting.
I fell into it, but I really love this side of the industry.
Its been an accidental vocation, but one Im happy to call mine.
Karli:I didnt even know that about Jeffs story, so Im happy to hear that as well.
My story is very different from Jeffs.
I came from academia, so I actually studied translation at uni.
I thought about being a subtitler right from the get-go.
I actually went back and got my masters in audiovisual translation (subtitling, voice-over, audio descriptions).
Every decision or choice I make is coming from research and what the deaf community wants and needs.
How long have you two been subtitling forStrangerThings?
Jeff:I dont think youve worked on previous seasons, correct?
I worked on season three in Karlis role.
Seasons one and two went through a different process, I believe, so we didnt touch those.
Karli:I was so happy to get the request for this season.
Its one of those requests where youre waiting for it to come along.
Jeff:I rearranged my entire schedule, four months of work, just to make room for this.
Karli:The process is quite long.
What do you all work with?
Scripts, rough cuts?
Notes from the Netflix team?
1 source of our authenticity is our audio.
Jeff:Especially on a show likeStranger Thingswhere sound is so integral to the way the story is told.
Its not an afterthought.
Everything is done with intentionality, with purpose.
I think the Duffers are keenly aware, it seems to me, of the tradition theyre playing in.
Theyre engaging in the great horror movies, the creature features, right?
If we arent doing that, we arent doing our jobs correctly.
The range of words you use is impressive.
How do you keep your word banks so sharp?
I give a shot to stick to genre-appropriate language as well.
People brought up the squelching, but that palpable pressing sound is meant to evoke disgust and horror.
In this case, I could rely on Jeff that the language would be there.
Id love to know about words that didnt make it in.
Jeff:Theres the scene where Henry/Vecna/001 is creating the Mind Flayer.
I remember listening to the sound design and it reminded me a lot of the sound design ofArrival.
Karli thought it was great but said, Lets have unearthly do the heavy lifting here.
This is a bit much.
And she was dead right!
I didnt want the audience watching to wonder what that word means.
In any other context, that word wouldve been perfect.
I dont feel like there was anything else I saidnoabout.
Jeff:Karli is the best editor.
Youcango big, but when you cross the susurration line, Ill pull you back in.
Genres change and they deserve different things.
This show wouldnt be what it is without that atmosphere-building.
We knowStranger Thingsis on a big worlds stage, so every intention matters from the start to the end.
Epic synth arrangement of Running Up That Hill sounds much better.
Jeff:It was pretty epic!The Totem remixis chefs kiss.
There is one curious word you use: Eldritch.
I could be wrong.
Theres this warlock … Im trying to figure out how nerdy I should get here.
I also thought it was a great word for the tactile sensation of it.
The reference to making bargains with forbidden powers was a great nod too.
I added a couple ofDungeons & Dragonsreferences, actually.
There was a two-fer!
I was hoping somebody would pick it up.
Karli:Ive been searching too!
The first is dissonant whispers, which is a bard spell.
Its supposed to be God, I am irredeemably nerdy.
No, this is great.
Jeff:So, dissonant whispers is a bard sliding into your mind to break down your defenses.
Then there is gibbering.
Hes perfect for the genre, and I come and see to it its perfect for the deaf community.
So these words definitely dont come from notes from the Duffer brothers or from their script.
Karli:We havent had any contact from them yet!
But maybe one day.
Jeff:Our DMs are open.
Many of the subtitles are being lovingly memed on social media.
Its become a hallmark of the show.
How does that feel for you guys?
Karli:Its exceptional news for us.
Subtitling for the deaf and hard-of-hearing is first and foremost an accessibility feature.
Thats why its there, but to see it be opened to a new audience is unbelievable.
In my entire career, Ive never seen anything be so well received.
Jeff:Honestly, [tentacles undulating moistly] Ive seen a lot.
I will admit I was trolling a little bit with that.
Moistly pops up a lot in those ASMR streams.
Karli:Its a word where I can name six or seven of my friends who dont like it.
It is supposed to be an uncomfortable situation, and thats why it was used in the show.
Ive seen a lot of,Why are the subtitles so overly descriptive?
I dont know if youve seen his interpreter, but they just throw their whole body into it.
And I think thats great to give them that.
I got a little teary-eyed.
I can imagine thats way more gratifying than a meme.
Jeff:Everyone loves a meme!
I have so many of them saved.
I love [Eleven pants].
Karli:I love that one too!
Karli:Well, given that Im a new mom, Im [absolutely exhausted].
Jeff:You sniped exhaustion from me.
I was going to say [triumphant exhaustion].
Karli:Thats a really good one.
Im going to say [proudly giddy].
