Start with the version people will watch
Use the current approved dialogue and edit. A transcript from an earlier cut may contain removed lines, miss a new pause or identify the wrong speaker after a scene changes. Put the version identifier beside the caption file so the relationship is clear.
Listen for names, invented terms, overlapping speech and quiet words that are easy to mishear. Build a small spelling list for recurring characters and places. In a fictional island series, “North Quay” should not alternate with a similar-sounding phrase simply because the automated draft varies.
Break captions where the thought remains understandable
Review caption segments as units of meaning. Avoid separating a name from its title or leaving a short connecting word alone when a clearer break is available. Keep punctuation consistent with the intended meaning and performance.
Check timing against both the start and end of the spoken phrase. A caption that arrives too early may reveal a joke or surprise; one that disappears while the speaker continues can be difficult to follow. Judge the sequence during playback rather than only reading the text file.
Preserve speaker and sound information when needed
Ask what someone reading captions needs to understand the moment. A speaker label can help when the voice comes from outside the frame. A concise sound description can convey a door locking or a warning signal when that event changes the story.
This fictional review table focuses on meaning and context. It is an editorial checklist, not a claim of compliance with any specific delivery standard.
| Draft issue | Review action |
|---|---|
| A place name changes spelling. | Use the approved spelling list. |
| An off-screen reply has no clear speaker. | Add identification where needed for understanding. |
| A caption reveals the punchline before delivery. | Retiming test against the spoken beat. |
| Important text overlaps the captions. | Review placement in the actual frame. |
Review captions in the final viewing layout
Watch the delivered video with captions enabled at a realistic display size. Check that text remains readable and does not cover an important face, prop or graphic. Vertical and horizontal layouts can create different conflicts, so inspect each intended version.
If the destination has specific caption-file requirements, verify its current delivery instructions before export. After any picture or dialogue change, recheck timing and wording. Keep a final review record with unresolved issues rather than assuming a successful upload proves that the captions are correct.
Questions & answers
Can I publish an automatic transcript unchanged?
Review it first. Names, context, punctuation and timing can require correction even when most words appear accurate, and an unreviewed transcript may not preserve important speaker or sound information.
Are captions and on-screen graphic text the same task?
They overlap visually but serve different roles. Review them together for legibility while checking caption timing against speech and graphic timing against the information the image needs to communicate.
Explore the workflow with your own idea.