Help with a rate issue please!

Russ Reilly · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 9

Out of the blue, I received a call today from a company called TK Digital in NYC who had listened to my general demo on 1-2-3 and wanted to hire me on the spot to do an on-site webcast recording in a studio in Brooklyn.

They are a Japanese company and seemed unfamiliar with standard voiceover practices. The woman I spoke with said the webcast would be around 30-45 minutes in length. When I asked for the budget she replied "$150.00 per hour". I explained that voice talent isn't paid on an hourly basis, for obvious reasons. She asked what amount I would be willing to do the job for, and, shooting from the hip, I replied $1000.00. This would include about $200.00 in travel expenses, since I live 4 hours away in Syracuse. She said she would speak to her boss and get back to me tomorrow.

I'm a newbie (3 gigs to my credit) but I'm smart enough to see red flags all over the place with this. How much would a fair rate be for an in-studio gig of this size? How much should I demand up-front, and what other issues/assurances should I clear up before agreeing to such a project? I'm non-union- thanks in advance for your help!!

Russ Reilly

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Hi Russ,

Even though I understand you are non-unioin, you might want to start off by going to the AFTRA website (www.aftra.com), and checking out the industry-standard rates for the type of work you’d be doing.

Try not to “shoot from the hip” when quoting a job though, as you don’t want to agree to something and then once you got all the gory details of the job, find out that you’d grossly under-estimated your quote. It’s always acceptable to ask for more details regarding the job, (for example word-count of the final script, usage, content, etc.), and then let them know that you can get back to them the following day with a quote.

Also, depending upon the content, think of other details; would a job need research to find the correct pronunciation of geographical terms? Medical or scientific terms? Additional telephone conversations with the client, etc.? More than one session? What about pick-ups or re-records if the script changes in the near future? If so, you might want to add a caveat to your bid that indicates research, telephone consultations, pick-ups after a certain time period, etc., would incur an additional fee. Make sure all your bases are covered.

Many voice talent do charge by the hour/half hour, (for example X amount for the first hour of recording session/editing time, and then X amount for each half-hour after, with a one hour minimum). Others charge by the word or minute or page. If you’d like more details, PM me and I’ll explain.

It’s best to find out as much as you can about a job before giving a quote, and finding out as much as possible about a client’s (possibly) pre-determined budget for the job will be beneficial as well. For example, if they expect you to do a 10,000 word script and their budget is only $300.00, you’d know it wouldn’t be worth your time and could decline.

Start with AFTRA, and then also consult Voice123’s suggested rate scale. You could also call agents in your area and ask for their help with determining a rate for a job – they’re usually very happy to help with information. A lot of voice actors aren’t comfortable discussing their rate policies on these public boards, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a huge response to your question.

Best of luck!

Maxine
www.maxinedunn.com

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Melba Sibrel · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008, 03:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Working by the hour isn't that unusual for nonbroadcast. $150 is lower end -- more like non-union audio book rate -- where you get to read in your pajamas. Laughing

I have never been offered a webcasting job like this, but I wouldn't think it would pay that much, honestly. You may have asked more than these folks could afford, but if that's what you need to justify the time, use and gas, then that's what you should charge. If they say no, so be it.

If you come to terms, go ahead and ask for a deposit before even starting the car, if that's what you want. (I would) Again, they can always say no, but so can you. Don't do what doesn't feel right or make sense economically. This is a business.

Russ Reilly · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 9

Maxine-

Thanks a bunch for your reply- that's the type of advice I'm looking for!

I did attempt to get detailed info on the phone today, but the person speaking with me- "Shoko"- spoke very poor English, so it was frustrating. What I did manage to learn was that this company was previously using an in-house employee for this webcast who was doing it for free. The employee left the company, and they chose me because I sound exactly like him!

Long story short, I don't think they know what they're getting into, and I'd be surprised if I hear back from them, but at least this experience will spur me to be more prepared the next time I get a call "out of the blue"!

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Hi Russ,

No matter what happens, (and this is just my opinion of course), should you decide to work with this client, I would STRONGLY recommend getting a Paypal deposit-in-advance, (at LEAST 50%), or preferably, payment-in-full-in-advance, before you even step up to the mic.

My woman's intuition over the internet airwaves is telling me that this is a "payment in advance" type of job.

In my experience, clients that are professional, on the up-and-up, and have a mutually trustworthy opinion of the talent they're using, don't object at all to paying in advance.

There are enough question marks, (I can hear it in the uncertainty that your own intuition is telling you), that you need to make sure you would be professionally compensated.

Let's chat tomorrow if I can be of any further help.

Maxine

P.S. I really like your demos and you have a wonderful voice. If this project falls through for any reason, don’t worry, there will be many others. And the scope of the projects will be much clearer and easier to fathom and the clients will gladly pay you what you’re obviously worth.

Chin up. Eyes front. Keep up the great work and learn as much as you can, any way that you can. But always remember to quote your rates with forethought. Don’t just blurt out a fee because the client’s “in a rush.”

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Lee Gordon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 1549

One further caveat to the notion of getting your money up front: If they come up with a scheme whereby they over pay you up front and want you to send them some sort of rebate, run like hell. There are a million scams out there that work in this manner, mostly suckering people who are selling merchandise on eBay. But the con works the same way.

On the other hand, it is not out of the question to get a call out of the blue based on one of your Voice 123 demos. So it is quite possible these guys are perfectly legit.

Lance Blair · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008, 04:33 (GMT) Post subject:

I've never done a voiceover for a Japanese firm directly, but I've done field audio recordings for Japanese TV and they've always been great to work with. They often pay in cash or a check on the spot, and the last Japanese crew I worked with apologized deeply during lunch that I would not be paid that day. I was paid later that week.

In other words, don't expect to be paid immediately, but don't be wary of working with a Japanese company at all, and don't worry about getting money up front unless they want some kind of 'rebate' back.

Haneen Arafat · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 122

Perhaps it's totally stereotypical...but...I also was recently hired on the spot via V123 by a Japanese production company based in NYC (Not Russ's) for a web video. The job was paid by the hour; it ended up being 6 pages at about 18 point/double space, which I recorded in their offices. They spoke almost no English, so I broke my rule about asking for a deposit. I was kicking myself, but in the end, they paid within a week. Asking for at least 50% shouldn't scare them off if they accept your initial rate--remember, they came to you.

Good luck.

Allen Brown · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008, 15:55 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Russ,

You've received some sound advice. May I add one more tip?

When seeking advice on internet forums, don't mention the client's name.

There be sharks here, matey.

None in this thread, I can assure you, but they ARE out there, and they're hungry. It's a good bet one of them has already contacted your client. Sad, but true.