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Esther Law
Voice Talent
Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 43
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 Posted: Mon May 05, 2008, 18:34 (GMT) Post subject: Ridiculously low rate offered |
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Don't know if any of you got the project "Asperger Syndrome Novel" from seeker 30352 but I simply can't believe the rates they're offering.
It's a 23,000 word novel. They're offering just under $700 (only 3 cents per word) AND they want the project completed in 3 weeks.
Hello? That's about 130 hours of text which means you're working full-time on this project for three weeks....and their offered rate won't even pay the rent.
I wonder if they bothered to do the math.
For a seeker that is doing projects that seem aimed at helping others, I am shocked to see them taking advantage of voice-talents like this. What a dichotomy!
What's even more surprizing is that this is the 12th project they've posted...and all their projects look similar to this one. Who is auditioning for these things and getting so terribly taken advantage of?
How do we bring this to the attention of Voice123? (Why has Voice123 let this continue?)
Esther. |
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Scott Pollak
Voice Talent - Voice Seeker
Joined: 05 Mar 2004
Posts: 3828
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008, 21:03 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Ridiculously low rate offered |
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| Esther Law wrote: | Don't know if any of you got the project "Asperger Syndrome Novel" from seeker 30352 but I simply can't believe the rates they're offering.
It's a 23,000 word novel. They're offering just under $700 (only 3 cents per word) AND they want the project completed in 3 weeks.
Hello? That's about 130 hours of text which means you're working full-time on this project for three weeks....and their offered rate won't even pay the rent.
I wonder if they bothered to do the math.
For a seeker that is doing projects that seem aimed at helping others, I am shocked to see them taking advantage of voice-talents like this. What a dichotomy!
What's even more surprizing is that this is the 12th project they've posted...and all their projects look similar to this one. Who is auditioning for these things and getting so terribly taken advantage of?
How do we bring this to the attention of Voice123? (Why has Voice123 let this continue?)
Esther. |
I did not get this lead, but audio books traditionally pay low, Esther (and I've voiced one before). One of voice123.com's biggest clients in terms of audiobook leads states right up front they pay .03/word for the work. It's your choice to take it or leave it.
BTW, YOUR math is wrong, by a huge amount. 23,000 words equates to roughly 144 minutes, or 2 hours and 20 minutes, of finished audio. A decent audio book reader can crank that out in about a day. While $700 for 2.3 hours of audio isn't terrific, $700 for a day of work isn't bad either. Ask those folks who think they're doing great making $22/hour at their manual labor jobs (which equals $176/day before taxes).
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Scott R. Pollak
Warm. Real. Natural.
www.voicebyscott.com
SaVoa  07003 |
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Lee Gordon
Voice Talent
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 1549
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008, 21:33 (GMT) Post subject: |
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Until such time as Voice123 requires us to answer cheapo leads in order to continue to receive the good ones, I say the way to deal with the low-ball ones is to simple ignore/delete them. As long as we have freedom of choice with these things, I don't think there is really anything Voice123 needs to do.
The other option is to answer the lead but include a more realistic price quote, along with an explanation for the discrepancy.
On the other hand, if Voice123 wanted to be pro-active and "educate" those seekers who post unrealistically low talent fees with their projects, I would be all for that.
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For more voice over demos, my life story, and other foolishness, please visit my website at www.leegordonproductions.com |
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Diane Havens
Voice Talent
Joined: 09 Jun 2006
Posts: 1281
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008, 21:46 (GMT) Post subject: |
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Sadly, audio book pay is low, and the work is hard. So you've got to love it, or leave it. But in fiction where there is multi-character work required, the rate would have to be a bit higher than .03 a word. For straight, non highly technical reads, with no editing, no music -- that sounds about right.
Lots of threads about low pay and V123's possible role in seeker education, but free market prevails. Lee's suggestion is a good one.
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Diane
Veni, Vidi, Voci
http://web.mac.com/dbhavens |
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Esther Law
Voice Talent
Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 43
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008, 00:01 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Ridiculously low rate offered |
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| Scott Pollak wrote: |
BTW, YOUR math is wrong, by a huge amount. 23,000 words equates to roughly 144 minutes, or 2 hours and 20 minutes, of finished audio. |
Ugh. I was just doing a lot of calculations on $/hr and forgot I was now working in wpm.  Funny how something can get stuck in your head. Alright, professor pollak. I'll show my work next time and make sure my units cancel out. 
Esther |
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Scott Pollak
Voice Talent - Voice Seeker
Joined: 05 Mar 2004
Posts: 3828
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008, 03:22 (GMT) Post subject: |
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Thank you, student Law. You'll get a D minus on this exam and I'll expect better from you on the final.
_________________
Scott R. Pollak
Warm. Real. Natural.
www.voicebyscott.com
SaVoa 07003 |
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