Post-Production - Recut Rates? Hey this is a Business!

Anthony Reece · **Voice Talent** Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 53

Hi Newbies,

Ok..so yet more free advice to give back a little. Thanks to Loretta Scott for asking and making me think about this fo you all.

Here you go..(I'll bill you all later) Wink

1st - create your rate sheet and keep in mind you're a beginner, so price it accordingly, but do NOT cut yourself short as people will eat you alive and take advantage of you being green and use you to...well USE YOU.

2nd - once you have a rate sheet, stick to it and ONLY offer a discount IF they actually uses you more then 2x. Stae that upfront. "well mary I offer discounts after my clients 2nd job", etc. Then and ONLY then offer a discount from 10 - 12% but don't make it a habit as this business is like life in general. yea, sure I'll call you tomorrow, yea sure...the check is good, etc...

3rd - make a simple talent agreement to give clients and in your easily worded "word" bullet form agreement, add a section called "post-production / recuts" and very clearly state that any post-production recuts requested at NO FAULT of you the talent are charged at the rate of XXX (usually about 25 - 50% of the original fee) This has saved me and my talents many many problems over the years.

4th - don't forget this is a business, so act like a professional, have a service agreement and state your base rates, recuts rate, payment terms, track license use term and/or if the track is a buyout, any legal disclaimer, delivery formats and time-limes, etc.

5th - then do NOT do the work until they sign it and do their part upfront, that being send the signed agreement, pay any deposits if required and email you copy and confirm the copy is the FINAl draft.

6th - now kick butt on the work, offer more than one take of the copy (2 - 3 cuts is the norm unless a long-form read) and deliver the tracks on time and in the format and best quality you can deliver.

The outcome is: If you did NOT make a mistake in the read and/or did NOT screw-up, the client must pay the bill and/or for the post-recut / post-copy change request and PAY the fee in your agreement. Last, do NOT send the FINAl master until they pay the balance unless the terms state otherwise. (keep in mind, many larger adv agents and corps are 15 to 30 day net)

But have fun and remember, this is a business! Act like a pro and you'll be mistreated, I mean TREATED like a pro.

Anthony Reece

Amanda Geyer · **Voice Talent** Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Posts: 245

thank you for posting that. It's incredibly helpful to me, as I'm a green n00bcake as well.