Good evening,
I am observing a new tide of new subbers asking CMs of diverse channels to be allowed to sub episode xxx of a drama xyz into language zyx. I hope that some of the new/inactive so far subbers will take a moment to read this missive because it will really spare you a lot of
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If you really want to start your adventure as a subber on Viki, assess your skills first. be honest about your language skills and choose only those projects that will match them. Do not venture out to a 60+ monster drama with magical realms, historical facts or specific vocabulary (like medical or criminal dramas) when you cannot fall back on your skills in this matter. you will only get discouraged in the middle and will probably abandon the project in the end, leaving your potential viewers hanging.
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look for ONE or max TWO projects you really want to work in - check the premise of the show, watch at least 2-3 episodes that are already translated and apply only when you are convinced that you can stay loyal to the show. spreading yourself thin just because Project Finder is bursting from the dramas that apparently need help will probably end in abandoning most of them because you will not have enough time, interest or patience to deal with them all (and believe me, some dramas start out really cool… and then you just want to strangle all the characters, the writer and the director in the middle of the drama because you just cannot believe something could be that bad). yes, there are exemptions from that grim rule and we stay up into wee hours of the morning just to finish the next episode, but they are scarce. so, especially if you are a beginner - find one or two dramas that will not tax your skills and the time you can spend here. there will be aplenty opportunities for translating something fun in the future.
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check if there is a moderator for the language you want to sub the drama into. if you are a beginner - and I have been there as well - it is always better to work in a team of subbers under the guidance of an experienced moderator that will help you in getting everything right. it will also ease your work and help you build your experience without problems. if you choose a drama that has no Moderator - you will be working all alone - Channel Managers will be mostly unable to help you as they do not have necessary language skills when it comes to your national language and you will be left alone with a monster drama that will seem to have no end. I have been there and done that… and I do not recommend it. so, when you are choosing your first/new project always keep in mind to check if there is a language moderator responsible for your language and write this person directly that you want to contribute. adding some more information about your language skills, availability, how much time you can spend on a drama every day/per week is much more welcomed than the “Hi there, I want to sub episode 43 into …”. this does not help us at all.
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it takes time to gather experience and to be smoothly accepted into a drama of your choice. some of us, the Channel Managers, are wary of the subbers that apply to xxx dramas with a very limited number of contributions so far. we are especially wary when it comes to the “flagships” that are being promoted by Viki so do not get discouraged by the fact that you will not be automatically added to a blockbuster show just because you love the drama. we also love it, but sometimes we have to rely on people that will do it the way we want it rather than do it the “fast and furious” way.
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if you choose your project and get your access granted - stay loyal to it. I know there will be plenty of new shows arriving here every week. they will be new, shiny, sparkling and maybe even far more interesting than the one you have chosen. do not falter. preserve. stay loyal to the drama you have chosen and the viewers will appreciate it. your moderator will appreciate it. and finding a new project in the future will be much easier, because you will not only gain the experience and confidence, but you will also have people who will take you to another project with them.
I hope this missive will help you all in concentrating on this one drama that will both satiate your subbing need and the need to stay connected to the great community that Viki is. it would greatly help me if some of the new subbers would use it
Loads of hugs!
Serenite78