VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

HuzzzaWuzzza · Guest

Hello everyone!

This is my very first post and it's one seeking information. I'm new to the voice over talent industry but have dabbled for years. Usually to help friends who were on college (and big time-ish) radio doing spots and cartoon voices. I took a class a few weeks ago since I'm very seriously exploring a career change to VO work.
Meanwhile, fate drops an opportunity onto my lap. My wonderful girlfriend is a copy writer for an ad agency. They were putting together a proposal for a client for a :30 second TV spot that involves a cartoon character. For the pitch they needed a voice and she suggested me (since I've been entertaining her for a few years now with my voice) So we recorded a bunch of samples (3 sessions about an hour each) that they used for the flash animation during the pitch. So not only does the client like the spot, they like my voice as well. Now I'm scheduled to go into the studio this coming Monday to record. I haven't negotiated a price and have only a rough idea where to start. What would be a good price for a :30 second national TV spot. How about a :30 second Cable TV spot?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Regards to all, Smile

Kurt

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 12:00 pm Post subject:

I'd ask for $3,500 and see what they say. If it's an ad agency they should know what to pay or have easy access to that information. the fee I've quoted is at the top end of the national cable commercial scale.

Good luck with it.

HuzzzaWuzzza · Guest

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

http://www.aftra.com/contract/documents/2009_05_22_commericals_main_rates.pdf

Check out the chart at the link above. I picked out the relevant pieces and am pretty sure these rates below are scale rates for the session and include 13-weeks.

Wild Spot - All Three-NY,Chi,LA - $1,372.10
Ea. Addt'l Unit - $6.04

Cable - 0.20Maximum (2,000 Units) $1,899.00

As always, these are minimum scale and do not include H&R contributions. Your mileage may vary.
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HuzzzaWuzzza · Guest

Thanks for posting Connie!

So even though I'm non-union I can go by those rates? Also, wouldn't they be buying my time without any residuals? I'm guessing the 13 weeks you reference below would be residuals. I have to confess that I did go to the AFTRA page but think I need a Lil'Orphan Annie decoder ring to decipher the info.

Thanks again!

Deirdre · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject:

You may always use union rates as your baseline‚ that's what they're for!
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:28 pm Post subject:

You can charge whatever you want to charge. These are minimums - and many non-union talent charge more than minimum scale. And remember, you are responsible for your own Health & Retirement contributions (and you should be thinking about that!)

As far as residuals - yes, non-union work is a buy-out in any way you want to negotiate it. You can say that you will let them run the spots for X number of weeks for X number of dollars. If they want to run it more than that, then they owe you more money. Just be sure that you have whatever you do agree to on paper - before going into the studio.
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Playing for a living...
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YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger

KaseyKruz · Club 300 Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 336 Location: Michigan

I'm not an expert on the pay thingy just yet but congratulations on the gig!
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HuzzzaWuzzza · Guest

Doc · Guest

:::: sounds like I need a new girlfriend :::::

Lips Are Sealed

HuzzzaWuzzza · Guest

HuzzzaWuzzza · Guest

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback.

Chrissy · Guest

All I have to add is Welcome, and congratulations. This is very nice for a first time gig. May you have many more.

HuzzzaWuzzza · Guest

We were scheduled from 11:30-1:00 today. We were done in 20 minutes.
It was exhilarating! I loved it. I was really on the ball and tight. The client was very happy.

WHEW! Smile

You guys are wonderful. Thanks for all of the help and kind words.

ETA: Anyone recommend any good books on VO careers? I know training is tops, but in the mean time I'd like to read a little.

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:51 am Post subject:

I have a recommended reading list on my site. For information and entertainment, check out Harlan Hogan's book "Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor" - few years old now, so be careful with any information about technology - that changes so quickly.

http://www.voiceover-talent.com/VOinfo.htm

Also, for up-to-the second day-to-day reporting on the VO biz - check out the many VO blogs by many of the VO-BBers.

Bob Souer has a pretty complete list of VO bloggers and a recommended book list,

http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/
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Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger