Film dubbing was born almost at the same time as sound cinema. At the end of the 1920s, with the arrival of synchronised sound, Hollywood began exporting its productions all over the world. The problem was obvious: the dialogues were in English, and much of the international audience did not speak it. That was when the need arose to adapt films into different languages. Dubbing, initially rudimentary, quickly became an effective and commercially attractive solution.
In its early days, the process was almost artisanal. Studios dubbed directly onto the original reel, without separate tracks for voice and effects. Everything was recorded in a single take, as if it were a recorded play. Voice actors worked under limited technical conditions, often without being able to see the image while speaking. In addition, translators adapted the scripts without worrying too much about lip sync; the important thing was to convey the general idea.
Over time, dubbing evolved by leaps and bounds. In the 1950s and 60s, with the expansion of cinema and television, the sector became professionalised. Specialised studios appeared, recording equipment was improved, and work began with separate tracks for dialogue, music, and effects. This allowed for greater precision and flexibility in the process. Actors could now see the film on screen while recording, which made for better synchronisation and a more natural performance.
Today, dubbing is a highly specialised industry that combines cutting-edge technology with artistic talent. To carry out professional dubbing, several key elements are needed:
1. Technical materials:
A professional dubbing studio must have soundproof booths, high-quality condenser microphones, mixing consoles, audio editing software (such as Pro Tools or Nuendo), and video synchronisation systems. The sound quality must be impeccable so that the dubbed voice integrates perfectly with the original audio.
2. Spaces and logistics:
An isolated recording room is required, a technical control room for the sound engineer, and a post-editing area. A screen is also used to project the film while the actors record, allowing timing and emotions to be adjusted to the rhythm of the scene.
3. Specialised personnel:
Dubbing is not just about the actor providing the voice. Translators/adaptors also take part, rewriting the script so that it fits the rhythm and form of the target language, dubbing directors who guide the performance, sound technicians, audio editors, and of course, the dubbing actors, who must have acting skills on a par with any live-action actor.
4. Current techniques:
Today, techniques such as “lip-sync” (precise lip synchronisation), “voice matching” (finding voices similar to the original), and cultural localisation, adapting references or jokes to the context of the target audience, are used.
Does artificial intelligence pose a risk to dubbing?
In recent years, artificial intelligence has begun to make its way into the world of dubbing, with systems capable of replicating voices, translating, and synchronising dialogues in a matter of seconds. This has set off alarm bells in the sector. Although AI can facilitate some technical tasks or serve as an auxiliary tool (such as pre-adjusting synchronisation or cleaning audio), it is still a long way from replacing the expressiveness, intention, and human emotion that a dubbing actor brings.
Moreover, viewers are demanding. They can tell when a voice sounds “flat” or robotic. Performance, emotional nuance, and credibility remain human territory. Therefore, rather than replacing the voice actor, AI will probably be a complement that streamlines processes, but it will hardly replace the soul’s voice that brings characters to life.
