CCSL stands for Combined Continuity and Spotting List, which is an important document within closed captioning services. The CCSL is separated into two separate parts: the left side and the right side. To put it more simply, a CCSL is actually two documents that have been put together: the Continuity Script and the Spotting List. In order to better understand what exactly a CCSL is, it will be beneficial to understand what both the continuity script and the spotting list are.
What is the Continuity Script?
The continuity script is located on the left side of the CCSL, and it is often called the action continuity. Basically, the continuity script covers the visual parts of the video or film that is being captioned. This means that any change of scenery will be described with captions that are listed in the CCSL on the left-hand side of the document. These transcriptions are important because they describe every single shot that is included in the film, including character actions, character emotions, and sound effects. All of these are crucial to closed captioning services and will help a hearing-impaired person more fully enjoy and understand the video or film that they are watching.
What is the Spotting List?
On the right-hand side of the CCSL, you will find the spotting list. But what exactly is the spotting list? Where the continuity script involves all of the visual descriptions, the spotting list will involve all of the audio parts of the film or video. This means that, in the spotting list, you will be able to see any discussions and dialogue that takes place in the film. This is especially important since a lot of movies depend on dialogue to explain what is going on. Without the spotting list, someone who is hearing-impaired will miss large chunks of the movie and be completely lost in the storyline.
What is Included in the CCSL?
Now that we know that a CCSL will include both a continuity script and a spotting list, you may be wondering what else you can find in this handy document. CCSLs also include important details such as speaker identification, an accurate time code, music and lyrics (which are denoted with a music symbol), any relevant sound effects, and subtitle duration. All of these details are crucial to ensuring that the person watching the movie is able to enjoy all aspects of the movie.
How is a CCSL Made?
Since there are two main parts of a CCSL, there are two main steps in creating a CCSL. First, we go through the video and capture time codes for different camera shots, and our writers add descriptions for those shots and any action taking place during those shots. Then, our writers will work on the audio portion of the video, transcribing and timing all dialogue. Finally, these two lists are put together so that all captions are shown right next to the shot in which they occur. And this is how a CCSL for that video is born.
