Central Park Media Lets Fans Cast "Outlanders"

Peter Tatara writes to let us know that Central Park Media is holding a public casting call for the English version of "Outlanders." For each of the four main characters you get a choice between four different voice actors. Seems like a fun way to generate interest and ensure that the majority of enthusiasts like the dubbing.

Comments

Dubbing can be strange

[Cave_Monster]

I find it weird watching dubbed anime sometimes. There are times when the finished product is comical because...

(a) the characters' mouths move beyond what has been said
(b) the character is still speaking yet their mouth has stopped moving
(c) the dubbed voice has been sped up or slowed down to match the mouth movements.

Why not just leave the animation in the native language and add subtitles?

Re:Dubbing can be strange

[fbjon]

Only because you're not used to it, and are thus a slow reader. Me, I live in Finland, where dubs do not exist (except for kids' movies, and then in two versions). I find that, while I can't glare at the screen trying to pick up all the details, I'm not constantly glancing at the subtitles either. They're sort of just inside the field of vision, so I can see what is there without looking. You need to read outside your center field of view.

This is also why subtitles should be in clear colors with uncomplicated font (i.e. not dark purple in old gothic). Otherwise it's mostly pointless, but some subbers don't get this. There is also the minimum time that a line must be shown on screen, and usually you have to start showing them slightly before the charater speaks. Also, if something is about to happen, the sub should be shown so that it can be read just before it happens.

Subtitling is an art that no fansubber I've seen has mastered yet, unfortunately, but other than that, I prefer subtitled any day.