When films are television shows are dubbed in a language other than the original, an issue commonly occurs. While the audio is timed to align with when a line is spoken, the lips of the characters on the screen don’t move along with the dubbed version. That creates a disconnect between what’s heard and what’s seen.
Even though that’s not inherently problematic when it comes to understanding the meaning of what’s spoken, it can be distracting. Fortunately, AI technology is working to end bad foreign language dubbing. Here’s how.
How AI Is Ending Bad Foreign Language Dubbing
Technologies like Flawless – a generative AI – are being used to adjust the visual aspects of films and shows to align the movements of an actor’s or actress’s mouth with the foreign language versions of the audio. The solutions work by analyzing an actor’s facial movements to create a functional map. Then, the AI uses that information to functionally replace the performer’s face with a digital version that matches the various audio tracks.
By using the AI tech, it creates alignment between various versions of the dialogue and what’s spoken. Additionally, it can maintain the emotional performance while making the adjustments, ensuring the core nature of an actor’s or actress’s performance. Essentially, it eliminates any accidental disconnect, enhancing the viewing experience for those using the foreign language tracks.
Functionally, these are deepfake dubbing technologies. Deepfakes aim to convince the audience that the video they’re watching is fully legitimate as if the person on the screen genuinely spoke a particular line.
While many of these AI services are convincing, they typically aren’t perfect. Usually, there are a few moments where the outcome could be smoother or more authentic. However, when it comes to film and television, the results are usually close enough to avoid distracting the audience and ensure that the performer’s original style is reasonably maintained.
Additionally, using the AI technology is far more affordable than remaking films or shows for international markets. For global streaming platforms, this could make them particularly attractive solutions, as their viewers exist all over the world. Similarly, it could benefit the entertainment industry as a whole, as the AI-generated dubbing may broaden the appeal of their creations, leading to more consumer interest.
Other Ways AI Is Changing Film and Television Audio
The technology behind improvements in film and television dubbing is also being used in different ways. For example, if a moviemaker needs to remove swear words from a film to secure a more family-friendly rating – such as qualifying for a PG-13 rating instead of getting an R rating – they can have the actors rerecord the lines without the cursing. Then, AI can adjust the visuals from the existing footage to make the mouth movements match the updated audio.
Another arena where AI is assisting the film and television industries involves AI-generated subtitles or captions. The technology listens to the audio contained within a recording and analyzes it to create written text that aligns with it. While the technology isn’t perfect – as it can “mishear” audio lines and mistakenly write the wrong words – it’s often faster.
Still, with AI captioning, it’s critical not to overlook the issues surrounding mistakes. It can fundamentally alter what’s being shared, leading to misunderstandings. In some cases, a caption may even end up nonsensical, causing confusion for the viewer.
The same can happen with incorrectly translated subtitles. While AI technologies are an option for translations, relying on them alone is problematic. Without a review by a skilled translator that’s fluent in both languages, incorrect translations may alter the meaning of statements, potentially in harmful or confusing ways.
Do You Need Accurate Subtitle Translations?
When you need to ensure that your subtitles are correct, partnering with a translation service is essential. By choosing a leading language services provider, you can ensure that your video and audio have accurate subtitles quickly and affordably.
At Acutrans, we hold ourselves to the highest possible standards. If you need a professional translator for closed captioning or subtitle translations, Acutrans is a professional, affordable solution that ensures accuracy. Acutrans also provides industry-leading interpretation services on-site, over the phone, and video remote, ensuring our clients have access to all the language services they may require.
At Acutrans, we pride ourselves on being a fast, reliable, and professional solution for individuals and companies in any industry. Contact us for a free quote today.