The Television Transcript Project

TVTP 2000: More reasons transcripts are nifty

We can read episodes we missed.

Printed out, it's nice to hold the episode in your hand. It's convenient to read on the bus, in waiting rooms, etc.

We can examine more of what the production's people were conveying and how they did it (especially the writer[s]). It isn't gone when the program's over.

It's good for researching something in your episode of interest. In the browser, we can find things much faster than with a tape. If you already know a key word at or near a spot you want to review, you can use the browser's Find function (Ctrl with f in most browsers) on that word. For example, when the people find out that Donna Chang is from Long Island in "The Chinese Woman" episode: we can search for "long island" or "not chinese." In comparison, a tape's rewind and search are very slow and clumsy. Browser Keyboard Shortcuts Card

Contrary to popular belief, the writers do not solely control a production. Video and film production are often a collaborative effort and are always a group effort. A transcript is a special snapshot of what the final result was. And it's very interesting to compare the transcript to the script, when both are available. (For an example, see the notes regarding the Xena: Warrior Princess "Callisto" episode.)

People whose first language isn't English can take the time to figure out all of what was said.

Transcripts may encourage reading among our youth.

They can be very fun! Do a chin face epic! Chin face is to put two eyes and a nose on your chin. The mouth is your mouth. You hang your chin upside down, or film it with the camera upside down. The effect is reminiscent of a Jabba the Hut.

Try different voices and accents for the characters. Imitate Katharine Hepburn, Rosie Perez, John Houseman, Gilbert Godfried, Jimmy Stewart, "Pee Wee Herman," hillbilly, Cockney, New York, Alvin's chipmunks...

We can study what goes on in human interaction. In particular, people who are from dysfunctional backgrounds can consider conversations worth listening to, conversations that are not just the same old destructive, confusing mish-mash. Of course, transcribing really makes one listen.

It's a fun and interesting hobby. And, because others may benefit from my hobby, I put my transcripts on the Web.

 

This fan site is for curiosity and fun and is not intended to infringe on any copyright nor to encourage such.