VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[SilverSurfer3001]

This is directed at you seasoned pros on this here perfeshunuhl veeoh website:

Just got a client who seems to really enjoy my stuff. He has gushed and gushed about the tone and tenor of my voice and has promoted me to his peers quite loudly.

Just finished doing a long form business narration for him for an initial pitch to what could be a bigtime creative venture.

I actually (at his request) sat in on the engineering session (at my time and cost, I might add) and aided in the actual production of the vehicle (again reluctantly but at his request).

I was finished with my contribution last weekend (3/21/10), and sat in with him two days the following week to - as he put it - ensure that the final product is what I wanted it to be.

I told him that while I certainly appreciate the thought, MY approval of the final product is not nearly as important as the approval of the client - after all; he is the one paying the bills.

I got a call Monday telling me that I needed to produce a pick-up for a single phrase in the VO, in which I mispronounced a word.

Since it was my error, I informed him that I would gladly do that and it would be no charge, since it was MY error in the first place.

After a follow-up call to him to ensure that the PU worked, I realised that I didn't have his complete billing info, and sent a request for the balance of the info.

He provided the info, and then placed a curt note at the end, saying that he never bills for a project until it has received final approval and recommended that I do the same, and then restated the amount that he would pay (which was agreed upon earlier at less than standard rate).

Coupla questions:
1. After I confirmed that all PU's were promptly and successfully delivered, haven't I received MY client's final approval?
2. Should I wait until he informs me that the project has been signed off by his client before billing?
3. Has that request for complete billing info soured a formerly golden relationship - in which I could do NO wrong?
4. What would you guys do?
_________________
Jody Silvers
VOSilvers.com

[bobsouer]

Jody,

Unless the client and I have agreed to something different at the outset, I always send my invoice the moment the original session is finished.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Philip Banks]

1. After I confirmed that all PU's were promptly and successfully delivered, haven't I received MY client's final approval? Yes but my guess is that he reserves the right to blame shift

2. Should I wait until he informs me that the project has been signed off by his client before billing? $1,000 job you are flexible, low pay job you do not wait.

3. Has that request for complete billing info soured a formerly golden relationship - in which I could do NO wrong? To be specific you could do no wrong until you had the temerity to ask for money. We don't work like that

4. What would you guys do? My gut instinct would be to ask for money now and hope to get it as I suspect your client is really up against it.

[Bish]

Who do you work for? Who are you contracted with? Who's your client?
I know that there's a good argument so doing some speculative work, but if we take this outside the world of VO for a moment... I want to sell widgets to the world, I contact a number of manufacturers who send me samples, I select the manufacturer I want to use, place an order and take delivery. The manufacturer asks to be paid and I tell him that I haven't sold them yet (or may not even be able to), so I won't be paying him until I do... The first response from the manufacturer may well be a letter from his lawyer.

Should the VO world be any different? If I read correctly, this wasn't an audition (or a speculative partnership)... you've sold your time and expertise to someone with an expectation of remuneration.

Just my $0.02 (probably worth less).
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

[CurtZHP]

I always hand over an invoice with the finished product with the understanding that the client may feel free to contact my with any concerns. Payment is regarded as approval.