VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

ChrisMezzolesta

Following up on Connie's "read and grow poor" post of last week [which I and many others, I'm sure, submitted auditions with realistic quotes], this Think & Grow Rich project has come up AGAIN, again with rather demanding parameters. From the post:

*specificities; i'm looking for a specific voice at the right price so please, all quotes are welcome.
*time; i'm wanting this project completed ASAP (the quicker you can do it the better your chance of getting the job)

[and the kicker,]

further to this DO NOT APPLY & ask for more then whats specified as you WILL NOT get it.

I don't know whether to laugh hysterically or start a mob marching with torches....But what is even worse is that when I reported this job to Voices, I just got more of the standard bs about "well, the job meets our minimum budget range"...I asked very pointedly if they would be working at Voices.com if they were making a quarter an hour for the same commitment...and to PLEASE think of the talent, their ACTUAL PAYING CUSTOMERS (starting to sound familiar?)

I was pointed to the blog detailing their job approval process...and I am starting to hear sounds of Steven Lowell and Alex all over again. This part really kills me:

"If you see something in an email notification that doesn't jive with what you personally would expect to be compensated, you are welcome to pass on the lead.

Instead of lamenting the fact that the opportunity doesn't appeal to you (which is a waste of time and emotional energy), put your time to good use voicing work or drumming up new business."

It's not just ME, it's the whole industry! So they are totally disregarding the fact that by making talent, even subpar talent, available and willing to work for crap money, they are contributing to the downward spiral of our rates. Sounding awfully familiar.

It isn't even the fact that they are doing this that is rankling me so much, it is the cavalier attitude behind these decisions, and the misplaced loyalty. In designing a business model they have built in inadequacies that send the wrong signal in both directions (to the posters, that they can get their project done for a cut rate, and to the talent, that they should just ignore projects with inadequate budgets).

I even thought I was not doing something right, so I did their most recent webinar, asked some very pointed questions, and was given somewhat of a brushoff. No idea what to think at this point. Again, it's the inherent meanness toward the talent behind the happy exterior that bugs me, the refusal to acknowledge that there is a problem, that they are contributing to it by favoring the wrong side of the business relationship over the other.

Eventually there will be nothing but $100 fixed budget jobs, for national TV spots, audiobooks, e-learning courses, etc. and they will be done for the clients. But they will be crap, the clients will think that's good VO, and Voices.com will still have their subscriber money and will continue to turn a deaf ear to reason and "the way it is". Their rationale is that the underbudgeted jobs are good for those starting out in the business. Bingo! Also sounding very familiar.

I will be looking to see how much longer is on my subscription and probably won't be renewing at this point, even tho I actually got a gig a couple of weeks ago [AND am still waiting to be paid by not-so-SurePay]. Sorry for the rant, but I really hate when those holding the strings tell us how it's gona be, even when it's wrong. Oh well.
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Chris Mezzolesta, Voice Talent
800.356.5519 www.voiceatile.com

mcm · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, the other side of the [small] coin is the voice-seeking client, who is thrilled, fide this article in the New York Times:

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject:

So it's the Voices who are shooting themselves in the foot!

craigcrumpton · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject:

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Okay, but how many clients/potential clients are less than thrilled with their experience finding a voice via a P2P site? There are those as well.

As for our end of the transaction, call me old-fashioned, but my best opportunities have all come from picking up the phone, or casting through my agent(s).

I have made more money since letting my P2P memberships expire earlier this year.

(disclaimer-I know that some of you are doing well on the internet casting sites., I am only offering my perspective)

SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject:

Interesting factoid that Voices.com might want to consider. I was at a VO lunch here in Toronto today and it seems a lot of talent are turning away from voices.com because they can get better money at, of all places, Voices123.
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Elaine
The Youthful Mature Voice (Emeritus)
Senectitude is not for the faint of heart.

Gp · Guest

Is the sky really falling then?

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

it's kinda windy--you probably just got hit by a pine cone. Smile

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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

Gp · Guest

more like a pine nut! lol

I'm really not trying to make light of what may be a real concern for some. However, I have seen these conversations come and go. It may be that rates are coming down. They might because there is a lot more "talent" out there than used to be.
People will always pay for quality. I have talked to people who used the P2P sites for awhile and then left. Although they found them cheaper, they also found that their products weren't as well received. The one and only way to get around this lowering of rates to educate your clients and your peers. There will be lower rates out there as long as there are people willing to accept them.

The numbers of folks wanting to do VO is declining and it will continue to decline as more and more people learn how truly difficult it can be to earn a living. It's not the get rich quick while lying around in your underwear that they thought it was.

YMMV

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

you can get pine nuts real cheap at pinenuts123.com. unshelled.
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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject:

it's spending time tasting all of those pine nuts that is a waste of time, though. Prol'y get em cheaper on CL.
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006 member of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Mic. Bonded by sound.

Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

Far too many wheelnuts that think they're pinenuts for my liking.

mcm · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject:

Rob and Gp, yes, one must not forget that perspective, nor lose hope that it's actually the norm. As the great Dan-O once said, "even though Wal-Mart offers cheaper prices, people are still shopping at Saks".

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

This year? Maybe Macy's... Wink

mcm · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

I walked past Saks in NYC a week or so ago and the place was hoppin'! Wink