VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Frank F

Excerpt from a Voice Over Times article:
"Attention conference attendees: Kindly ignore that blood-curdling scream. It’s just a * professional voice actor demonstrating the many ways to die in a videogame.

Screen Actors Guild actors attended the 2009 San Francisco Game Developers Conference March 23-27 at the Moscone Center, where SAG was an official event sponsor.

* Emphasis = mine.

Arrrrgggghhhh! This is an interesting read - if you look between the lines. Since when does SAG deal with voice actor-ing for video games.? Their title is SCREEN ACTORS - not the Voice Actors - guild.

O.K., maybe I am too sensitive to this issue, but the differences between on-camera and off are readily apparent. I just wonder why this issue does not wrangle someone else's cage?

Yes, I am ready for the onslaught of people telling me the two unions are symbiotic. I already am hearing the argument that screen actors do a lot of voice-talking and that voice acting is part of on-camera acting (BS - it's a lot harder to act without the physical props of being on camera).

But I really feel SAG should not be involved in the animated presence of the VOICE ACTOR; and further should not have been involved in sponsoring this event.

Your alternate opinion is welcome and will be reviewed and disposed of immediately.

I apologize to interrupt your day with my standing on a soapbox. However, this is another reason the unions will dissolve in the near future unless needed changes are made.

Frank Frederick
"The Voice" tm
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Deirdre · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject:

Ha ha!! They didn't bother reporting on the talks I gave at the GDC's even though I'm a member of SAG.

SAG should butt out of anything that's not film.

They're irrelevant as far as games are concerned— the guys in LA are using AFTRA contracts and the independents are not touching union talent at all.
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bobsouer

Frank F · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject:

In this case Bob; BS means Bull Stuffing.

F2
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bobsouer · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject:

Sorry Frank,

I couldn't help myself.
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Chrissy · Guest

I just got the voting information in the mail today from SAG/AFTRA. I need to return my "secret ballot." I agree with the opinions expressed here.

Frank F · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:07 pm Post subject:

I got my "secret ballot" too. I am soooooo excited.

NOT.

Bob, your too good to be related to that, I hope there was no offense taken on your side. Inoccent

Toodles

F2
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bobsouer · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 6:36 am Post subject:

Frank,

Of course, not. That's why I was kidding with you! Laugh

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Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 981

Interesting thread!!!!

Here's my take. Any chance I have, I want a SAG contract. Why? Because the residuals are better, the health plan is better, and more is paid into SAG's pension than AFTRA's. Now, I know there are no residuals in games, although there should be. But the P&H on games is still better with a SAG contract.

SAG was, at one time, a guild strictly with and for screen actors. This is way in the past. For over 50 of SAG's 75 plus years in existence, SAG has been more than just screen actors. SAG represents studio singers, dancers, voice-over actors, extras, etc.

Both SAG and AFTRA have jurisdiction over games. There have been many times I've booked a game offered under an AFTRA contract that, with just an ask, I as able to have switched to SAG. This isn't always the case, and I'm more than happy to work an AFTRA contract if it comes to that. Both unions are vital to a voice actor's career. But as an actor, and a voice actor, SAG's contracts are far better. AFTRA actors have nothing but gains in the event of a merger between SAG and AFTRA.

I won't work an animated feature under AFTRA. The residuals just aren't worth it. And it's all about residuals. That's where the real money is. No one in LA makes a living on session fees.

Bottom line is, we need both unions. Both have value. Both have faults. Combining the best of both would be ideal! But voice actors very much need SAG!!!

Wink

Deirdre · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject:

Dearest Bob-

The unions are really only valuable to VOs if you live in the largest cities. Otherwise, they are a pain in the ass, dead set on excluding the work that most of us can get outside NY and LA.

xo
DB
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Gregory Best · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 10:31 pm Post subject:

DB you are sooo right. AFTRA closed the San Diego office a few years ago. No union work here except at Stu Segal for the film people. Bob, you are fortunate living in LA. Many of us either can't or wont move there. That leaves non-union work unless the unions change.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 11:38 pm Post subject:

ccpetersen · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 5:58 am Post subject:

Jeff, you may be correct, but when voice acting is bad in a game, the reviews show it and the players p*** and moan about it. So, the actors do bring something to the table and if they help make the game better and sell more, then they should be recompensed for that beyond what are often stingy session fees. I'm with Bob on that one. The game needs all the elements to be good, and if they're willing to spend money on kick-ass animations and scenes, then why not on the sound of the game?

I have voiced a few games now and I have found the bigger issue to be quality of scripts, even from some so-called professionals. If the script isn't good, it won't matter how great the visuals are... and no amount of good voice acting can compensate for a crappy script. Luckily, those are only prevalent at the cheap levels, but still... and the script isn't the topic here, so I'll stop with the script whinging.
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Deirdre · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 7:55 am Post subject:

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 981

Well, here's the deal gang. If the DVD doesn't sell, the actor's residuals reflect.

If games paid residuals, it would be the same deal.

A few years ago SAG put on the table a deal for residuals in games. Only the highest selling games would pay a fraction in residuals. 98% of the games made would pay nada. And even those that sold well would pay a fraction compared to the residual formula for TV, commercials and DVD.

This didn't pass the vote because of a small handful of actors who also happened to be game producers threatened to never hire SAG actors again if they had to pay residuals. Because this came shortly after the commercial strike, fear caused actors to vote this down.

This was another case of actors thinking in the now and not looking at the big picture. A common mistake amongst actors in general. More and more celebrities are hired to perform in games. Ya think said producer would refuse to work with a SAG celebrity because the union demanded residuals? Of course not.

FYI-the TV industry said the same thing when SAG proposed TV residuals over 50 years ago. "Actors don't sell television programs! Anyone can do a western!! TV actors aren't movie stars! They are expendable, and we will never pay residuals!"

Thank God the union stood strong on this one!!!!!!!

But let's touch upon who or what sells the game. Or for that matter, any product.

Do you really think that in every commercial it's the actors who sell the product? In some cases, sure. In many cases, no. The product sells itself. The editing, the visuals, the deal/price, etc. But the actor at the end of the spot who says, "Member FDIC" really doesn't sell the product, let's be honest.

But in a class a TV spot or any union commercial the actors still get residuals.

In a feature film it may be Brad Pitt who brings in the box office, but everyone, from the "B" list co-star to the one liner day player share residuals.

Residuals are the actor's life's blood. Just like music royalties for singers and song writers.

I absolutely understand and appreciate that this philosophy really only applies to the larger markets and not the majority of the country. That said, I get at least a half dozen emails a day from folks in smaller markets asking my advice on how to get an LA agent. "I have a home studio, what does it matter that I don't live in LA?? How can I take my career to the next level??"

It matters! I won't go into it here. I've already taken this topic all over the place. But if anyone wants me to elaborate pop me a note.

Wink