Does anyone have experience making? i guess the only conceivable scenario for me would be writing english subs for a japanese language show or movie. i imagine it's much easier if native subs/transcript are available. what level do you think you need to be before subbing?
is there a forum where the fan-subbers discuss these things?

Search the name of the the fan-sub group and if they are of decent renown, chances are they will probably have an active website, IRC, etc. where you can contact them in relation to this. For instance, on the file name of one anime I downloaded was "[Nutbladder]". Opened up Google and searched away and found their website.

Or, you could try this search engine:

http://myanimelist.net/fansub-groups.php

This might be helpful:
http://en.anime-wiki.org/wiki/Basic_Tran...inary_Quiz

Hopefully you capitalize "I" in your subs.

Making timings for subs is very easy if you use a good subbing program. VisualSubSync is great. I've also heard good things about Aegisub, but haven't used it myself.

awaken Wrote:This might be helpful:
http://en.anime-wiki.org/wiki/Basic_Tran...inary_Quiz

Wow! That's a whole lot of groups!

@TheVinster, At some point, I stopped capitalizing "I" when writing e-mails or on forums. If I handwrite a letter, I assure you I do use better form. Perhaps I was just waiting for someone to say something, which I've achieved. Thanks for caring.

iirc translation is the most in-demand position for fansub groups.

timing is easy, you can easily learn with aegisub. i think i used to use something wacky like SSA workshop or whatever, way back in the days.

i think transcripts are almost always included with japanese media being uploaded to the internet so it's way easier to translate stuff nowadays.

imo the keys to having subs that are popular on the internet is to get them out really fast, and to have them well edited. your audience doesn't know japanese, they only know what sounds like good english. if the most accurate translation didn't capitalize their i's and came out late, it would lose to the fansub that came out within 24 hours and appeared to have good english grammar and punctuation.

Don't forget that the translation itself has to be stylistically sound. The subtitles should translate well, but it should also appeal to the audience you're aiming at.