Rate Sheet

Dave Courvoisier · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 6

Apologies to all if this skirts any of the rules of this board...I don't believe it does, but I'm hoping to get responses from voice-actors everywhere on their formulas for quoting clients.

I promise to collate, assimilate and disseminate the results to everyone who participates.

I'd write up my proposal again here, but it's already on my blog at:

http://www.courvo.biz/2008/05/friends-country.html

Your input appreciated. Feedback by commenting at the bottom of the blog or e-mailing me personally. courvo@courvo.com.

Thanks!

CourVO
Las Vegas, NV
702-610-6288
http://www.courvo.com

Allen Brown · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008, 02:31 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Dave,

I know you mean well, but this touches on a subject near-and-dear to my heart - - competitors collaborating on rates.

Why do you ask your competitors what YOUR talent and time is worth? All they could tell you is what THEIR talent and time is worth. And, they are not you.

Please don't take that the wrong way. I know you want an answer and I wish there was one. But, in my opinion, there isn't. We're all independent contractors, free to set our rates based on our ability, talent, experience, and (most of all) hunger. Besides, V123 has already done some survey/poll work on rates and, as you mention, there are also the union rates to give us some guidance.

I've also see some illuminating posts on the board from some of our regulars that offered some insight.

I wish you the best, but I think you'd be better served to look at your individual situation. I know there's solace in knowing what "market rates" are, but it's really all over the board at this point.

Good luck.

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

For a good-looking guy, Dave, you sure raise an ugly spectre,

To me, it's like airline check-in; you bring your own baggage.
Good luck with any collating, but I think that anything for TV or radio broadcast necessarily carries a 75 to 200% buyout per cycle. So, if your minimum VO studio rate is $120 (as is mine), anything from :15 to 1:00 is $120 plus the buyout, based on your market and cycle.
For internet, I charge my minimum up to 2:00 and $50 per minute thereafter; no buyout.
For audiobook and other narrations, I am ever so much more flexible. In fact, I'm probably a voice ho. Depending on the complexity and length of the recording, I'll turn around four hours of finished recording for anything from $500 to $750 per day.
Video and interactive rates , of course, are another matter completely. I simply abhor the possibility that someone makes decent dollars on any such an effort, while I bring a character to life for a pittance.
So I charge $1750. For one minute to ten.

(On my best days, of course, everything is governed by union agreements, and none of the above applies.)

Voice On!

Dave Courvoisier · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 6

Thanks for your input guys.

I know there are some inherent shortcomings in the question, but I'm not looking to steal secrets, just get some ballpark figures.... even more: to see the thought process that goes into determining which factors count for more in YOUR forumula.

CourVO