The Mystery of Audio Dubbing Interview

If you ever had an interest in audio dubbing and the effort that goes in to it, then do we have a treat for you. It takes a lot of effort and skill, but the challenge is often part of the fun. Marin Spanic who works for NEW DVD in Germany and also dubs movies as a hobby was kind enough to talk to HK Film News about NEW and the art of audio dubbing. Also to get an understanding of the effort he puts in too dubbing older films we have two clips, one of Deadly Duo with the dub simply put over the celestial video (often used with Red Sun) and one of Marin’s dubs which show what can be obtained with cleaning up the audio and better syncing. His re-dubs are often kept among a small group of collectors to prevent Red Sun from using them for their “products”, so getting a chance to see and hear this is a nice treat. Thanks again to Marin for doing this interview with us.

Basic Info

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Age 34. Had to quit usual day job because of health reasons. Doing DVDs now fulltime since Feb 2007.

2. What was the first martial arts film you saw and
when?

Mid-80s- Millionaires Express, German dub on TV. Saw it while on a very boring Vacation. I think I watched it quite a few times these Weeks. Still hooked to it, can't watch the Movie in any other Language or I'll fall asleep.

3. Growing up in Germany were you frustrated when you
found out that many Kung Fu films in Germany often
were cut?

Sure, but then the search for the uncut VHS Versions came up, and often they were much more unwatchable - crappy Fullscreen Dupes, whereas German Stuff was mostly Letterboxed...

4. What is you favorite Shaw film and Shaw director

Hard to say. I don't have a Number 1 Movie, but these rank very high:
THE DUEL
NEW ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN
KING BOXER

All of the 3 in GERMAN dub for me only - the dubs are the most perfect you could imagine, making the dialogues even better with actors dubbing, not crap
done by the usual "But still" folks. I simply can't imagine watching these Movie in another language than the old German subs. (and I HAVE seen them all
subbed and all)

New DVD’s

1. Can you describe NEW in terms of what they release
and how big they are?

Not so big. Some 3 Movies every 1-3 months. Small Movies, no big studio Stuff.

2. How did you come to work for NEW?

Folks heard how good my dub stuff is I did for myself and copied [it] around for friends. Word-of-Mouth that is. They worked hard to get my number and called me... (like other folks I work [I] now for!)

3. What are your exact duties while working for NEW?

a) look for interesting movie
b) look for material needed (Uncut movie? Audio options? Extras?)
c) Dubbing, editing.
d) Sometimes authoring when there's not much time left.

4. It surprises many non-German speakers that English
dubs are often included on NEW DVDs. Why is this the
case?
Because I want as perfect DVDs as possible. It's not that we NEED the English Dubs in Germany. Heck, I even wrote English subs for the missing Scenes for BLACK PANTHER!

5. How does NEW get the rights to these films especially the rarer ones like Fight for Shaolin Tamo Mystique aka Lady Wu-Tang?

We get them from the German Holders. We tried to get Stuff from HK or Taiwan, but nothing could be done. We just can't find any contacts, less even get over there to make some deals. We would LOVE to get some of the obviously remastered First Films Stuff.

6. What elements do you often receive from the rights
owners?

The only thing we get is - at best - a German cinema print, which is of course more often than not cut. So lots of work is to be done 'till it's ready for release.

7. What are some of the latest releases and upcoming
NEW DVDs that you think our readers may be interested
in?

(all titles will be Widescreen 2.35 and German Language; further dub Options with the title)

THE EIGHT MASTERS (Cut, with windowboxed Inserts)
(Mandarin, English)

Shaolin Kung Fu Mystagogue (cut, with 2.10 Widescreen Inserts) / 2 German Dubs
(Mandarin, English)

I am also working for another Company at
DESPERATE CHASE (BLOOD OF THE DRAGON)
(2x English Dubs, Mandarin)

I am also working on LEGEND OF THE WOLF for the MIG Filmgroup, SKY HIGH, and other Stuff. Too much to round up here!

8. Has NEW had any trouble releasing films uncut from
the German Censor Boards?

We don't issue films to the censor boards, so there are no problems.

If we DID, we would have no problems these Days to get an uncut 18,
but it costs a lot. We ARE doing it for stuff like LEGEND OF THE WOLF,
and that stuff gets no Problems these days.

Audio Dubbing

1. What is the process of adding additional language
options to a film for a DVD release?

Well, it's best you have an UNCUT Print in English or Chinese. Then you can dub that onto the cut German print to see what's exactly missing. Note that down and you know if and what and where to insert later.

2. How do you attempt to clean up the audio and remove
hiss, crackels, and other imperfections?

Use Noise Reduction Filters from Sonic and Adobe. Works pretty well, most annoying is some low hum and buzz. These always have to go.
Remove hiss only when the audio is not disturbed too much. Tape and 35mm Print crackle should be removed also.

3. What did the Netherlands seems to get a large
amount of Shaw Brothers films released in English?

All their Shaws on Video were in English; it seems to me that ALL Shaws sold worldwide outside of Asia were the English Dubs back then.

4. With the criticism by many that Kung Fu dubs never
match the lip movements, how do you go about trying to
sync the dubs (German or English)

German Cinema dubs are often better synched than even the Mandarin Stuff.
They are normally no problem. As for the usually crappy English dubs, just make it fit. For a seasoned pro this is no problem at all. Never compare to the Original out-of-synch dub, but use your own wit and intelligence.

5. What was the hardest audio project you had to do?

Pick any Celestial Frame-Cut Mess. If you don't notice any lags, it's well worth the work. The best thing an Audience can say to you is, "I noticed no problems with the audio", even when you have to work DAYS to make it perfect. Look at that REDSUN Crap. They can't even synch the most simple stuff correctly, and still
they sell that crap in tons. When I stumble upon this stuff I see/hear all the amateurish faults done on all aspects of these boots. Pathetic.

6. Any dream films you would love to work with?

Tell me- what's a greater Dream than what I do NOW? making DVDs of "KARATE-MOVIES" and "Horror-Stuff" you loved as a Kid? Can it get ANY better? I can do Perfect DVDs of Movies I like and thats for a living... not many have even such a "Dream-Come-True" I think.

Thanks for Reading.

Once again thanks to Marin for this interview

Now as I promised here is a dub comparison.

Red Sun

Marin’s