Hi Guys ~ Need your advice on a rate issue....

Maxine Dunn

Hi everyone ~

Long time no see! I hope all my friends here are well and happy and voicing your asses off!

I'm writing to see if I can perhaps get some advice on how to create a rate structure for narrating a feature film.

If you've seen Sex in the City, or Desperate Housewives, you're familiar with the running commentary by the off-camera narrator as the story progresses. There's plenty of on-camera dialogue and action by the characters during the show, but there's always the off-screen voice offering its insights and at the same time guiding the show.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to define a rate for this type of v/o when it's a full length film? I do plenty of documentary and narration work but this type of narration seems like it would fall under a different category. (I’m non-union at the moment.)

Thanks for any insights you may have, or any similar experiences you may be willing to share.

- Maxine

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Allison Scussel · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 03:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Maxine!!! Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry I can't help U with your question. I just wanted to say HI. Good to see you posting here.

~Allison~

David Oxford · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 04:53 (GMT) Post subject:

Well, I'm afraid I can't help either, Maxine...but I'll echo the previous sentiment. Nice to see you/hear from you again after all this time. So, "hello." Hope you'll stay around a little bit, as you can.

David

Connie Terwilliger · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 06:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Try this - near the end of the contract. Union or not - you can use this as a guide.

http://www.sag.org/files/documents/2005-08TVTheatrRates.pdf

(ps - good to see you!)

Lee Gordon · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 09:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey there, stranger, nice to see your smiling avatar around here ( I assume that's a wry smile behind the cigar). Connie kind of beat me to the punch but I was going to suggest that regardless of your current union status you ought to be basing your price on union scale. If they were hiring a big-name movie actor to do the off-camera voice over -- even if uncredited -- they would most likely have to shell out many times scale.

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 17:17 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks everyone! It's nice to see you too! Gave me the warm fuzzies when I checked the board this morning and saw familiar names. And Connie thanks so much for the link to the union rates, that's a great help to have as a reference.

Max

September Day Leach · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 17:56 (GMT) Post subject:

ARRGGHHH!! MAXINE! HI!!!! Very Happy

Rajiv Hasan · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008, 10:34 (GMT) Post subject:

Welcome back, Max. Missed your purple prose.

Claire Dodin · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008, 10:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Maxine, Welcome back!

The rate you need to charge really depends on the type of film and the length of the recording.
For an independent low budget, you should probably charge something very small like $100 or $200 per hour of studio.
If it's a big blockbuster union movie, then you should get proper studio rates plus either a buyout or % of sales , don't forget to include dvd and internet rights.
If it's a big film, it'd be wise to use an agent to negotiate it, as it's potentially worth a lot.
By the way, even for a small film, it may be worth adding some royalties in %, just in case it does a "Blair witch project"

good luck!

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 01:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Claire for that insightful rate info. I agree with you! I hope your singing career is going wonderfully well and it's lovely to hear from you.

And September, thanks to the insanely sinful brownies recipe you sent me, I now weigh 300 pounds.

Just kidding, but they are out-of-this-world. You simply must post the recipe here so other people can enjoy them too! A way to a man's heart is through his....uummmm...stomach...right? Cool

xoxoxo
Max

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John Bigl · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 01:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Maxine is back ..... brownie recipe .... yup, life is good
Wink

Doin Well?

September Day Leach · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008, 16:06 (GMT) Post subject:

hee hee!! the brownie recipe!! Perhaps I'll make some and take them to VOICE 2008 Wink

Todd Schick · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 16:02 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey Max....

Didn't know you were gone..... Neutral

A quick toss-in of my 2 bits. Claire and Connie pretty much nailed it on the rate stuff, so I won't elaborate on that. I do however, have some personal experience I can pass on....

Each and every single time I've done feature film stuff (independant or otherwise) it's been a PITA. This is especially true with the lower-paying projects. The money was next to nothing....and the paperwork.....my god, the paperwork. Reams and reams of crap you've got to sign (and send back) in triplicate not to mention the oh-so-important film people in general who can and will make you do 50 takes of a single line......only to end up using your first take.

PITA.

The last time I got offered to do VO on a film, I turned it down. Right out of the gate, they send along a form that I have to sign (in triplicate) for confidentiality purposes before I can even view the 2 minutes of script they wanted me to voice. I sent them a note back and told them I didn't have the time to handle all their paperwork (for $150.00) and that they should go elsewhere. They were shocked......LOL!

"How dare he turn me down for a role in my film!? He'll never work in this town again...."

I mean.....yeah, doing feature film stuff is great 'cause you want that nice big, fluffy, colorful feather in your stylish hat.......but the price....oh, The Price. I'll bet Morgan Freeman has fun though. Way more fun than us not-so-famous people...... Wink

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008, 20:21 (GMT) Post subject: That's what agents are for

Okay, I probably understand better than most what it's like to be cheif cook and bottle washer. Sadly, we voice actors are now in so many cases, talent, audio enginers, audio editors, directors and it would appear agents as well.

I can't say enough about the importance of developing some relationship with an agent. It's very hard to talk about ourselves when we are the commodity and the advocate - the salesperson and the product.

If you can't find an agent (and that should be priority numero uno), then get a hold of any professional you know who can handle negotiations for you. Put a buffer between yourself and the hiring body and then you can always be the happy-go-lucky voice talent.

This is especially true for those of you who make your own collection calls. The embarassment alone might be enough for a client to never use you again.

A third person will ask questions such as
"Can you tell me exactly what the scope of work will be?"
"DO you have a fimr budget in mind for this work?"
"What type of agreements will the talent be required to adhere to?"
"Would this be strictly for this project as stated or are you looking for a more encomapssing buyout?"
Or simply "Is this project being handled as a SAG ultra low budget or other union project?" (United States)

And if you don't know the terms, (to those of you lurking here) - do you really think you should be negotiating?

Max,
I would find out very specifically what the anticipated usage will be and tocover all bases, you can include additional fees that would only be paid if the usage were to go beyond what was stipulated. Such as lifting any of your performance for broadcast radio or tv spots or even for trailers or promos. Also, do you own the voice or would they have the right to replace you with a soundalike in the event of a talking doll, video game or other usage of your "character"?

Another consideration these days deals with product placement and very often it pops up where a character in tv show or film will have a level of endorsement for a product or service written in as something their character says. This could cause conflicts within product categories for purposes of doing commercials and/or might otherwise affiliate an actor with a product or srvice.
Additional compensdation should be sought in these cases.