How to Write an Anime Script
When you watch an English-dubbed anime program, do you wonder how the new English dialogue is written? Are you interested in joining the writing team for an anime dubbing project? Read on to find out how.
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Instructions
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If you're looking to join the staff of an anime dubbing project, you need to contact one of the companies that specializes in licensing and dubbing Japanese anime programs for release to the American audience. These companies include: 4 Kids Production, Inc. (53 W. 23rd St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10010); A.D. Vision (5750 Bintliff Dr., Suite 210, Houston, TX 77036); Bandai America (5551 Katella Ave., Cypress, CA 90630); FUNimation Entertainment (6851 NE Loop 820, Forth Worth, TX 76180); Media Blasters (265 W. 40th St., Suite 700, New York, NY 10018); Pokemon USA, Inc. (1177 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036); The Right Stuf International, Inc. (P.O. Box 71309, Des Moines, IA 50325); and VIZ Communications, Inc. (P.O. Box 77010, San Francisco, CA 94107).
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If you are successful in being hired on for the dubbing project, you will be handed the re-edited footage for which you need to write new dialogue. More often than not, dubbing houses also provide English translations of the original Japanese scripts. You may also be given a shot sheet, which times out how long the dialogue can run for each shot. With these components, you are ready to begin the process of automatic dialogue replacement," or "ADR" for short.
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Sit and watch each shot, and try to determine what English dialogue you want to put into it. Say the dialogue out loud and time it with a stopwatch. If your dialogue doesn't fit into the allotted time, you will have to re-work it. Recite your re-worked dialogue and time it. Do this over and over until you find dialogue that not only fits into the allotted space, but also makes sense for the visuals. Write down all of your dialogue on the shot sheet.
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After you finish timing the new English dialogue, use your scriptwriting software to type it up in script form. Be sure to include the timing cues you were given on the shot sheet, so the voice actors can refer to it when they are recording their lines.
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When you finish typing up the script, submit it to the story editor of the series you're working on. The story editor will make any changes to the script that he deems necessary.
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After the story editor goes through your script and makes any revisions, the script will be handed to the voice actors, who will help bring the English version of the cartoon alive.
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Tips & Warnings
Bandai America will only accept resumes when the company's human-resources department is recruiting for a specific position. These positions are usually posted on Monster.com or handle through agencies that specialize in the relevant field of work.
Even after the story editor has gone through the script, additional changes may be made once the voice actors begin recording the new dialogue. In the recording studio, the voice director may discover that some of the dialogue doesn't work as recited by the actors, leading to further tweaking.
