HTTP/1.1 302 Found Date: Sat, 31 May 2014 16:17:45 GMT Server: Apache Set-Cookie: NYT-S=deleted; expires=Thu, 01-Jan-1970 00:00:01 GMT; path=/; domain=www.nytimes.com Set-Cookie: NYT-S=0MC4KIqveo.z3DXrmvxADeHATbCtQGpRqwdeFz9JchiAIUFL2BEX5FWcV.Ynx4rkFI; expires=Mon, 30-Jun-2014 16:17:45 GMT; path=/; domain=.nytimes.com Location: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/jobs/catching-their-every-word.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0 Content-Length: 0 nnCoection: close Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 HTTP/1.1 200 OK Server: Apache Cache-Control: no-cache Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 Content-Length: 51595 Accept-Ranges: bytes Date: Sat, 31 May 2014 16:17:45 GMT X-Varnish: 2035465660 Age: 0 Via: 1.1 varnish Connection: keep-alive X-Cache: MISS
http://nyti.ms/1pnNCbi
"Captioning is a bit like a musician playing 'Flight of the Bumblebee,'" says Ms. Ray. Credit Brian C. Frank for The New York Times
Karla Ray, 39, of Des Moines, is a real-time broadcast captioner for Vitac, a closed-caption and subtitling company in Canonsburg, Pa.
Q. What kind of captioning do you do?
A. I do real-time captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing, typing people’s words as they speak on TV programs. Other captioners, called offline captioners, do the same for prerecorded programming.
What is your background?
I attended the AIB College of Business in Des Moines, graduating in 1995 with an associate degree. My major was court reporting. I worked in that field for several years, then moved to Vitac in 2002.
What tools do you use?
I use a stenotype, or shorthand machine, connected to a computer that contains captioning software. My computer connects to the TV networks. I type letters to signify words I’ve defined in a database. For example, I’ve defined “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious†so that I have to type only SPR/CAL/FRAJ. I also assign codes to homonyms like “they’re,†“there†and “their†so the software accesses the right word.
What is it like to be required to work so quickly?
Captioning is a bit like a musician playing “Flight of the Bumblebee.†Just as that person has to play each note accurately and extremely fast to get it right, we need to capture every word and, when possible, music lyrics or background sounds — at very high speeds. For example, I might add “(BELL TOLLING)†or “(SIRENS).â€
What’s your favorite programming to caption?
I especially like the news because I’ve done it for so long that it comes easily. I also like captioning basketball, baseball, golf and tennis games, but some do get a little lengthy. I really enjoyed captioning the Olympics. I’ve done both the Summer and Winter Games. Presidential debates, election night, the announcement of the new pope last year and the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William were all memorable.
Do you ever get so interested in a program that it’s hard to do your job?
Shortly after I joined Vitac, the war in Iraq started, and there was a lot of information to digest. But when I worked for the court, I was trained to be a fly on the wall, stay stoic and not let anything affect my emotions. You have to focus on getting every word down.
More on nytimes.com
Site Index
more
{ 0 comments... » Vocations: The Broadcast Captioner: Catching Their Every Word read them below or add one }
Post a Comment