Professional sign language translation and access services for television broadcasts.

One thing that we have learned over the years is that great video should be available to everyone. VideoWorks Glasgow combines professional production with accessibility, translation and localisation services, delivering content in formats suitable for broadcasters, streaming platforms, websites and social media.

From public-information campaigns and educational films to television programmes and live events, we can incorporate accessibility from the beginning of production and prepare the individual masters, audio tracks and supporting files required for delivery.

Subtitles and Closed Captions

We produce accurately timed subtitles and closed captions for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. These can include dialogue, speaker identification, significant sound effects and music descriptions.

Depending on the broadcaster or platform, deliverables can include:

  • EBU STL broadcast subtitle files
  • EBU-TT or TTML/XML subtitle files
  • SRT and WebVTT files for websites and social platforms
  • Open-captioned video masters with subtitles embedded in the picture
  • Clean video masters accompanied by separate subtitle files
  • Subtitle transcripts and spotting lists
  • English and translated subtitle versions

All subtitle files can be checked for timing, line length, reading speed, spelling, synchronisation and safe positioning.

British Sign Language

We regularly film British Sign Language interpretation in a studio or incorporate it into an existing video. We are experts on the interpreter’s size and position, background, lighting, clothing and interaction with captions or graphics.

Broadcaster deliverables will normally include:

  • A separate full-length signed programme master
  • BSL interpretation permanently incorporated into the picture
  • An unsigned clean master where required
  • AS-11 UK DPP-compliant MXF files when specified
  • Broadcast-quality ProRes masters for post-production or archive
  • Captioned and signed combined versions
  • H.264 or H.265 files for websites and social platforms

A broadcaster will generally expect the signed edition to be supplied as a separate video master rather than as an optional audio or data track.

Audio Description

Audio description enables blind and partially sighted audiences to understand important visual information that is not communicated through dialogue or the original soundtrack.

Our services regularly include script preparation, voice casting, narration recording, mixing and technical quality control. Delivery options may include:

  • A fully mixed audio-described programme
  • A separate audio-description narration track
  • An audio-description mix supplied as stereo Broadcast WAV
  • Separate voice and programme audio stems
  • 48 kHz, 24-bit Broadcast WAV files
  • Audio-description tracks embedded within an AS-11 broadcast master
  • Audio-described ProRes or web-ready video versions
  • Audio-description scripts and cue sheets

Track order, channel assignment, loudness and peak levels are prepared according to the receiving broadcaster’s technical specification. Where a broadcaster uses a receiver-mix audio-description system, the required narration and control information must be agreed before final delivery.

Scottish Gaelic Translation and Localisation

VideoWorks Glasgow can produce Scottish Gaelic versions of programmes, public-information films, educational resources, advertising and online content. We are proud of our Gaelic heritage and we love working on projects that incorporate this aspect of our culture.

Our Gaelic service can include:

  • Translation of scripts and dialogue
  • Gaelic subtitles and captions
  • Gaelic voiceover or full dubbing
  • Bilingual English and Gaelic versions
  • Translation of graphics, titles and end cards
  • Gaelic transcripts and continuity scripts
  • Pronunciation guidance and linguistic quality control

Expected deliverables can include:

  • Gaelic EBU STL subtitle files for broadcast
  • Gaelic EBU-TT, TTML, SRT or WebVTT files
  • A Gaelic open-captioned video master
  • Gaelic voiceover supplied as 48 kHz, 24-bit Broadcast WAV
  • Sepaate voiceover, music and effects stems
  • A complete Gaelic-language stereo mix
  • An AS-11 UK DPP-compliant Gaelic broadcast master
  • Broadcast-quality ProRes and web-ready MP4 versions
  • English and Gaelic scripts supplied as Word, PDF or spreadsheet documents

Translation is handled as a localisation process rather than a word-for-word conversion. Meaning, tone, regional usage, pronunciation and cultural context are considered so that the Gaelic version sounds natural and communicates the original message clearly.

Accessible Events and Live Content

Accessibility can also be incorporated into conferences, presentations and live-streamed events. Depending on the platform and audience, we can provide:

  • Live or prepared captions
  • BSL interpretation
  • Gaelic interpretation or translated programme content
  • Accessible presentation graphics
  • Audio-described or narrated event content
  • Captioned recordings and highlights
  • Separate clean, signed, captioned and translated versions

Recorded event deliverables can be supplied as broadcast masters, ProRes files, MP4 videos, WAV audio tracks, EBU STL subtitles, SRT files and WebVTT caption files.

Multiple Versions from One Production

A single production can generate a complete family of accessible and localised deliverables:

  • Original English-language master
  • Clean master without captions or signing
  • Closed-caption subtitle file
  • Open-captioned master
  • BSL-interpreted master
  • Audio-described master and separate audio tracks
  • Scottish Gaelic subtitled version
  • Scottish Gaelic voiceover or dubbed version
  • Accessible social-media edits
  • Transcripts, scripts and cue sheets
  • AS-11 UK DPP broadcast package

Planning these versions together helps maintain consistent branding, messaging, picture quality and audio standards across every deliverable.

Prepared for Broadcast Delivery

Every broadcaster and platform has their own technical delivery specification. Requirements  differ in areas such as file type, programme clock, audio-track layout, loudness, subtitle format, timecode and metadata.

Before creating the final masters, VideoWorks Glasgow works to the specification supplied by the commissioning broadcaster or distributor. This may include delivery as AS-11 UK DPP MXF, Apple ProRes, Broadcast WAV, EBU STL, EBU-TT, SRT, WebVTT or platform-specific packages.

By considering accessibility and Gaelic localisation from the start, we can create the required versions efficiently and prepare content that is ready to reach audiences across Scotland and beyond.

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