This FAQ was originally published in July 2019 but has now been fully updated to reflect the current COVID-19 situation.
Since the launch of our Live Captioning service, we busily travelled the length and breadth of the country, providing our expertise at numerous events.
Then, when the nation-wide lockdown came into force in March, many of our clients asked for a remote live captioning service instead – which we’ve been offering ever since.
Between the questions we receive daily from corporate clients and the inquisitive phone calls we take from potential customers, there’s certainly no shortage of interest in our new offering. So, for anyone with a burning question they’d like answered, here is an FAQ to provide you with some insight into the wonderful world of live captions.
Where have I seen live captions in action before?
Have you ever watched live TV and wondered how the captions running along the bottom of your screen got there so quickly? Well, the magic taking place which allows you to read what’s being said only seconds after it being uttered is called Live Captioning.
So, whether you break the news, organise conferences, broadcast live sport or live stream your content, we’ve got you covered.
Who benefits from the use of live captioning?
As a speech-to-text service, live captioning can make both in-person and virtual events more accessible and inclusive for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or simply out of earshot. Live captioning also helps attendees who use English as an additional language or if they simple missed part of what the speaker said.
Quite often, our clients also request a transcript which they can then distribute to interested parties after the event. If you’d like to know more about our live captioning service, and the transcription service we run alongside it, please get in touch.
Who are the magicians behind the service?
Our team of talented and experienced stenographers have attended events up and down the country to deliver an industry-leading live captioning service. With only 100 fully qualified stenographers currently operating in the UK, we’re delivering a quality service using the most qualified professionals in the industry. They can type 300 words a minute, you know.
Equally, our agile team works just as brilliantly from a remote setting for your digital event needs. Just get in touch to discuss your requirements.
We also work with reporters who can produce a verbatim transcript of what has been said during a meeting or event. So, instead of providing live captions, verbatim reporters can create subtitles which can then be added post-production.
How does the process work?
Our live captioners use a palantypist machine to create captions which are then displayed almost instantaneously on either a large screen, computer, tablet or phone, or on the screen of your chosen digital platform. Instead of resembling a string of shorthand notes, the end product is a near-perfect reflection of what is said in real time.
Who have you been working with?
Since launching the live captioning service in May, we’ve been working with some of the biggest marketing and communications agencies in the UK. Having collaborated with huge agencies on major headline-making events, we are convinced that we’ll be able to transform your dream event into a reality.
But what if I want to know more?
Ah, the easiest question to answer of them all. If you’d like to hear more about our live captioning service, feel free to get in touch with us today on 01792 450979.