Project Overview: We are looking for a highly skilled creative translator or transcreator to adapt the series concept (Pitch Bible) of “Liebe, Spinnrad und Kanonen” (Love, Spinning Wheel, and Cannons) from German into English. The target audience includes international streaming services and production partners.
The Material:
Format: TV Series Concept / Bible (approx. 12 pages of condensed text, potentially up to 48 pages full version).
Genre: Ironic Historical Dramedy.
Setting: Saxony, 1806 (Napoleonic Wars).
Vibe/Reference: Think “Gentleman Jack” meets “Bridgerton” with a touch of modern social commentary.
The Challenge (Tone & Style): This is not a standard translation job. The text is sharp, witty, and ironic. The translation must capture the specific voice of the authors (Jeannette Arndt & Olaf Winkler).
The Tone: The series is described as “fast, witty, disrespectful – with sarcastic humor but honest emotion”.
The Hook: It combines “historical accuracy with modern wit”.
Key Requirement: You must translate the subtext and the irony, not just the words. The English text must read like a polished pitch ready for a Netflix or HBO executive.
Specific Responsibilities:
Translate the logline, character descriptions, and episode outlines.
Preserve the specific “modern spirit in historical costume”.
Ensure punchlines land correctly in English (e.g., lines like: “Reason is a theory that collapses at the latest with the first shot” ).
Maintain the high-quality, literary feel of the descriptive passages (e.g., “The world is ending – politely, well-groomed, and in pastel” ).
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Native English Speaker (US or UK) with full professional proficiency in German.
Experience in Screenwriting or Script Translation: You understand terms like “Logline,” “USP,” and “Visual Tone.”
Creative Writing Skills: You can rewrite a sentence to make it sound better in English while keeping the original meaning.
Cultural Sensitivity: You understand the historical context (Napoleonic era) but also the modern sociopolitical commentary intended by the authors.
Sample Text for Application: To demonstrate your fit for the tone, please provide a quick translation (2-3 sentences) of the following excerpt from the concept in your proposal:
“Sachsen, 1806. Die Welt geht unter – höflich, gepflegt und in Pastell. Während Napoleon Europa neu sortiert, streiten Philosophen über Vernunft, und vier junge Menschen stellen fest: Vernunft ist eine Theorie, die spätestens beim ersten Schuss zusammenbricht.”
