Frequently asked questions

When it comes to our services, one size most definitely does not fit all. That’s why we don’t list standard pricing — we don’t DO standard pricing!

All our quotes are individual and there are so many factors we take into account: your turnaround time, the size of the project, the number of speakers, the language(s), the formats you need…

What we will say, though, is that we regularly review our pricing in line to make sure it’s as competitive as possible.

Of course! All our pricing is personalised, and part of the quoting process is taking into account the volume of work. So you’ll always get our best price, every time.

We also offer a preferred supplier arrangement where we will offer preferential rates in return for being the first port of call for translation or transcription throughout the year.

Well, the real question is… how quickly do you need us?

Our standard turnaround times are already pretty fast — we turn most things around in 24 hours, depending on the size — but if you need something sooner, we’re on it.

We can turn around transcripts and translations at virtually any speed you need, and we can deliver overnight and at weekends.

Just get in touch with the details of your project and we’ll be able to give you a more accurate idea.

Yes, subject to translator / transcriber availability. Our late night rate kicks in at 9pm.

Obviously it’s easier to get a translator / transcriber lined up for night work with a bit of notice, so the more you can give us, the better — but we can usually help out whatever the time of day (or night!)

In a word… yes.

No project is too big or too small. We’ve handled everything from transcribing really big, multi-episode series to a quick translation of two or three lines. We’ve translated quick news bulletins and captioned some of the biggest movies of the last decade. In short, we’ve done it all.

And we offer special rates for both really big AND really small projects, so you’ll always get the most competitive pricing from us.

Practically anything! But we prefer QuickTimes with BTC. Failing that, WAVs or MP3s work just as well.

We do need to be able to download files to work from them, so we prefer them compressed to a reasonable size where possible. We can work from original camera files, like uncompressed MXFs, but do keep in mind that it can add a time and cost due to the extra download times involved, or the need to use couriers.

We can pretty much do whatever you need, but as standard, this is what we offer…

Transcripts: Word documents
Translated documents: Word or PDF
Captions/subtitles: SRT files with Word/AVI/Text files for an additional small conversion fee

We can send files via email or via file sharing software when required.

An SRT file (otherwise known as a SubRip Subtitle file) is a plain-text file that contains critical information regarding subtitles, including the start and end timecodes of your text to ensure your subtitles match your audio, and the sequential number of subtitles.

As s’andard, it’s how we deliver subtitles and closed captions. But we can also burn them in to your video files for you, if required.

Combined Continuity and Spotting Lists (CCSLs) are very detailed transcripts of a finished film or programme, including shot for shot detail, full music cues, timecodes IN and OUT for all dialogue, and dialogue durations.

Combined Dialogue and Spotting Lists (CDSLs) do the same thing but with a bit less detail.

The good news is, wecan do both, or a combination of the two, depending on what you need.

We take that very seriously. Here’s what we do as standard…

- All of our transcribers and translators, as well as our in-house team, sign NDAs before they start working with us.
- They’re also required to use best-practice anti-virus software.
- We use a secure email service, file transfer service, and digital storage solution.
- Audio-visual material is kept by transcribers and translators only for as long as necessary to undertake the work.
- We undertake regular reviews to ensure that proper security measures are being maintained.

Absolutely. In addition to our standard protocol, we already have additional procedures we put in place for when the material we’re working on is of the most extreme sensitivity. But if that’s still not stringent enough, just tell us what you need and we’ll make it happen.

We’ve worked on highly confidential material, from embargoed blockbusters to news reports from war zones where any leaks could have resulted in real risk to life. So we know the score.

We’ve been operating since 2005 and we have never had a single security breach.

Yes, we’ve done this from time to time – including working with a news organisation on a royal wedding, in situ! That was fun

There are usually cheaper and easier ways of doing things, so we’re likely to recommend alternatives first. But we’re happy to help if that’s what you really need.

Pretty much, yes!

We have hundreds of translators on our books so almost every time we’ll already have a professional on hand. In the very rare instance that someone requests a language we’ve never translated into before, we’ll be able to find someone to do it.

We’ve done everything from Afrikaans to Zulu, Albanian to Zapotec, and we’ve never had to turn a job down for want of a translator yet.

Yup!

We’ve worked on complex legal documents, sports coverage (including a very memorable series about Mexican wrestling), medical dramas, scientific textbooks… you name it, we’ve done it.

If we don’t already have an expert on hand (and you’d be surprised how often we do!), we’ll find one. Or make one. One of our transcribers became an overnight expert in — you’ve guessed it — Mexican wrestling. Or as she now calls it, Lucha Libre.

We can indeed! That’s the beauty of being a full-service agency.

If the bulk of the project is not in English, our translator can provide a transcription in the original language and a side-by-side English translation.

And if it’s mostly in English but with the odd foreign phrase, our transcriber will ask a translator to step in and provide a translation where required.

No, non, nein, nee, não, nej, nie, and нет (that’s also no). All of our transcriptions and translations are done by humans from start to finish. Humans who understand nuance, and idioms, and slang.

We keep up to date with the latest developments in AI, and for now it’s just not good enough. And even if it ever is, we’ll NEVER use it without telling you.

Ultimately, our professionals pride themselves on the quality and accuracy of their work. No AI can match that.

Day-to-day, our core team is about 25 people, but we have over 250 tried-and-tested transcribers and translators on our books who we can call on.

Many of them — as well as most of our in-house team — have experience in film and TV production, so often your project will be undertaken by someone who really know the business.

We’re always on the lookout for fast, accurate, reliable transcribers and translators — particularly those with a background in TV and film.

If you’re interested, start by sending your CV and cover letter to elves@sospeedy.co.uk. Please note that due to the very high volume of emails we receive, we may only be able to reply to those who we’d like to try out.