So you’re looking to volunteer to transcribe Not Another D&D Podcast.
To keep our transcriptions consistent, smoothly-flowing, and easy to read, here are the guidelines to doing so! Make sure you read them all, and if you have any questions please refer to already-completed transcripts for examples, or message me at /siilhouette on Reddit or at NADDscripts@gmail.com!
1. Bold and capitalize the names of the speakers, followed by a colon. On the first time that their name is used per episode, use their full name for clarity.
For example: ‘BRIAN MURPHY:’ or ‘JAKE:’
2. If Murph or one of the players speaks in-character, bold the dialogue and make the text the specific colour that the character is coded as. *Only colour-code it if someone is speaking as their own character. Refer to #4 for impersonations.* Refer to the sign-up sheet for proper colour-coding.
For example: ‘EMILY: Sumthin’s amiss at The Crick!’
3. If someone laughs before, after, or during speaking, include it in italicized square brackets. If they simply laugh and have no dialogue before or after it, include it on a separate line. Don’t capitalize the start of the phrase in square brackets, unless it (for some reason) starts with a name.
For example: ‘CALDWELL: Another two? [laughs]’ or [all laugh]
4. The same goes for goofy voices or imitations; include it in italicized square brackets. If it is someone’s first time voicing a character each episode, include ‘as ____’. Separate clauses in square brackets with semicolons. If someone is speaking hypothetically as a joke as opposed to what is actually being said in the scene, include that in quotation marks. Also, don’t be hesitant to spell the words phonetically if an accent is used. (See example for #2.)
For example: ‘MURPH: [as Scoutmaster Denny; nasally voice] I’m pathetic!’ or ‘JAKE: [raspy voice] “Cybin!”’ or ‘ALL: [singing; to the tune of P.O.D.’s ‘Youth of the Nation’] We are, we are…’
5. If music or sound effects play, include that information on a separate line in italicized square brackets.
For example: ‘[epic music plays]’
6. The intro and outro should be separated from the rest of the episode with horizontal lines.
7. The show intro should be bolded, and if Murph is dropping DM exposition it should be italicized. Don’t be afraid to break into paragraphs if it gets too long.
For example:‘Welcome to the campaign after the campaign…’ or ‘MURPH:You walk through the glades and come across a loving family of bullywugs.’
8. If people are talking over each other, as often happens, include [crosstalk] before each person’s dialogue. If it’s unintelligible and impossible to make out, you can note that as well.
9. If you’re unsure of spelling of a D&D word, Google it! If Murph made up a word or name for his campaign, do your best to make it easy for the reader to understand the pronunciation from the spelling alone. Keep spelling consistent with previous transcriptions. If there are D&D levels, spells, or concepts mentioned, capitalize these accordingly.
For example: ‘You solve Bahamut’s puzzle and reach Level 3!’ or ‘I cast Halo of Spores!’
10. For the most part write out full numbers, with the following exceptions: levels, and roll terminology. For rolls make sure to use proper D&D terminology (nat20, d12, etc.).
For example: “I walk, like, twenty paces.’ or ‘Dude, did you roll a frickin’ nat8?’ or ‘Roll me 2d6 plus your Dexterity modifier.’
11. Italicizing or capitalizing words for emphasis is encouraged, if necessary.
For example: ‘You have no idea.’
12. It is not necessary to include hesitance like ‘uh’s, ‘um’s, or stuttered/repeated phrases unless it’s intentional or adds to the joke.
13. Italicize the names of existing properties, including ‘Dungeons & Dragons/D&D’. If the sentence is already italicized, de-italicize the property.
For example: ‘This is just like Lord of the Rings!’ or ‘Hardwon comes across a copy of Mrs. Doubtfire in the woods.’
14. It is not necessary to get every laugh or interjection exactly where they happen. If it interrupts the flow of the sentence drastically, include it beneath with a ‘[crosstalk]’.
15. If someone is cut off, end the sentence with a ‘—‘. If they trail off, end it with a ‘…’. If it’s picked back up again later, start the sentence with a ‘—‘ and de-capitalize the first word.
For example: ‘I was just—‘ or ‘I was thinking…’ or ‘— and he pours them both on the floor.’
16. Don’t bother with transcribing the shout-outs, unless you want to waste your day figuring out the spelling of obscure usernames!
17. Finally, don’t stress about following these rules verbatim. If it’s close enough to the format people are used to, and it flows nicely and is easy to read and understand, no one will care. I will review everything before it’s live on the page, so I can tweak any glaring inaccuracies if I think it’s a big enough deal.
Now that you’re all learned up, check the sign-up sheet here to get started!
Not Another D&D Transcript Page 