Style guide for media summaries

Used when you are both transcribing, translating and providing some form of analysis of a piece of media

We occasionally receive recordings which are not meant to be transcribed in their entirety on a word-for-word basis. Example use cases for this may include:

• An earnings call for which only certain segments are of interest
• A news broadcast for which only certain topics are of interest
• A piece of sponsored content which needs to be evaluated for relevance

When this happens, please work with your Project Coordinator to ensure you understand the client's needs. Often times you may be asked to do a two-pass transcription: the first time to provide a summary of the recording as well as a full transcript of relevant sections and the second time to "zoom in" on any topics of interest that emerged as a result of the client's read of the first section.
Unless otherwise specified, we recommend the following three part structure:

1. Table of contents
2. Word-for-word transcript of relevant sections
3. Summary

The following fictitious example is for a client who is studying relations between Boromir and Aragorn during the Council of Elrond scene in Fellowship of the Ring:

• Write out the general topic being discussed in increments of 2-5 minutes, along with approximate timestamps. Any section that is transcribed in full should be marked with an asterisk (*). This will form a table of contents, of sorts:

[0:00-4:00 appx.] Introduction made of meeting participants.
[4:00-6:00 appx.] Discussion of which members should travel to Mt. Doom.
[6:00-8:00]* Discussion of tension between Boromir and Aragorn
[8:00-13:00] Reporting structure for fellowship.

• For any sections marked with an asterisk, transcribe the recording. Use brackets to indicate any words or terms where you are unsure about the spelling. Timestamps and speaker identification guidelines will be provided by the Client Service professional from Cadence:

[6:00-8:00]* Discussion of tension between Boromir and Aragorn

Boromir: So it is true. It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of the Enemy. Let us use it against him!

Aragorn: You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.

Boromir: And what would a ranger know of this matter?

Legolas: This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of [Arathorn]. You owe him your allegiance.

Boromir: Aragorn? This… is Isildur’s heir?

Legolas: And heir to the throne of Gondor.

• Provide a summary at the beginning of the document based on what you know the client is seeking information on.  This is to be written after the recording is processed by the transcriber but should appear at the beginning of the document. For example:

During the discussion, the tension between Boromir and Aragorn emerged once (see sections indicated with an asterisk). The rest of the meeting was focused on other topics, though it should be noted that these two characters participated substantially during the second half of the meeting where they discussed reporting structure and travel plans.