VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Ed Fisher · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:53 pm Post subject: REVISING HISTORY

Here's something...

Today on a Voices.com project that I assumed was HISTORY.

The production is done and approved.
The money already was paid 2 weeks ago.

Now I get an email asking for "two minor revisions, and one addition." to the production.

It's an agency in Chicago.

My business impulse is to charge an additional fee.

What's "proper VO etiquette" in this situation?
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Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:19 pm Post subject:

"I'm happy to get those revisions right over to you! My fee for revisions that are a result of a script change are 50% of the original project invoice. I can have them to you this afternoon if that works. Would you like to do a phone patch to direct the session?

Thanks again for using me as your voice!

Cheers,
ME"

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

I believe reasonable revisions are always part of a VO job.

Agency in Chicago? I'd do the revisions with no complaint (or charge), but that's me.

I want the repeat business. It's the easiest kind.
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Yonie · CM Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 906

Did you inform them about any incurring revision costs? No? Take the hit and learn from the experience.

Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:07 pm Post subject:

jsgilbert · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:41 pm Post subject:

There is a great Creole word called "Lagniappe", which means "a little bit extra". For example, you buy a milkshake and when you're about have done, the waitress comes over and pours some more into your glass, or the classic example of the "bakers dozen"; buy 12 and get a 13th free.

So whenever possible I try to play the "lagniappe" card. However, if they were a bunch of tight-fisted cheapskates to start and the revisions are due to changes in direction or copy, then you may very well want to re-think it through.

For example, words to the effect of "While I would like to do these changes for you at no charge, I had already discounted my rate heavily to accommodate you on this project and I do need to be compensated for my additional time and effort. I believe that $________, would be fair.

Another thing I suggest, is if you do decide to do something for "free", regardless of what it is, it should be reflected on your invoice as a line item expense and then you can extend it to $0, via 100% discount. For that matter, you can do that with the entire bill, such as indicating "$1,200 less $400 discount, total $800".
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"today is the first day of the rest of the week"

jsgilbert · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:43 pm Post subject:

There is a great Creole word called "Lagniappe", which means "a little bit extra". For example, you buy a milkshake and when you're about have done, the waitress comes over and pours some more into your glass, or the classic example of the "bakers dozen"; buy 12 and get a 13th free.

So whenever possible I try to play the "lagniappe" card. However, if they were a bunch of tight-fisted cheapskates to start and the revisions are due to changes in direction or copy, then you may very well want to re-think it through.

For example, words to the effect of "While I would like to do these changes for you at no charge, I had already discounted my rate heavily to accommodate you on this project and I do need to be compensated for my additional time and effort. I believe that $________, would be fair.

Another thing I suggest, is if you do decide to do something for "free", regardless of what it is, it should be reflected on your invoice as a line item expense and then you can extend it to $0, via 100% discount. For that matter, you can do that with the entire bill, such as indicating "$1,200 less $400 discount, total $800".
_________________
j.s. gilbert

js@jsgilbert.com
www.jsgilbert.com

"today is the first day of the rest of the week"

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:50 pm Post subject:

What I would do is tell them something like, "Ordinarily, I charge $___ for revisions and corrections that are not the result of an error on my part. But since I did not discuss this with you prior to taking on the job, I will be happy to make these changes at no charge."

That way they know you are easy to work with, you are being fair with them, and they can expect to incur a fee should the same situation arise in any future work. It will also discourage them from sending out in-progress scripts rather than fully approved ones in the future.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

Ed Fisher · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:25 pm Post subject:

All good points.

And I get the part about "going the extra mile."

NOW...if I can just "match up" what I did then. It was a character voice and I've been playing with various mic chains and preamps. I only hope I can remember how to create something that will fit.

This has taught me that in future I should make a point of saying that "once the project is done and signed off on...any later revisions will have to be billed." That way...everyone knows up front. Plus I think it gives the client an added incentive to "get it right" the first time.

(OK. Maybe that's just wishful thinking)
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"I reserve the right to be completely wrong."

DougVox · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:20 pm Post subject:

Ed Fisher · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:43 pm Post subject:

Fortunately, I found where I DID in fact take notes.

(Whew. It's nice when you discover you actually did something right.)

I've been keeping a running list of what and how in notepad.

I remember hearing about a voice over talent once who NEVER touched ANYTHING EVER. Never touched a button or even moved the mic. PLUS he actually had MARKED ON THE FLOOR where his feet should go.

All...so that he could easily do "pick-ups."

When I heard it, I thought it was pretty excessive.

But, in the greater scheme of things...maybe not such a crazy idea.

Laugh

_________________
"I reserve the right to be completely wrong."

Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:50 pm Post subject:

At this point I have one mic, and only adjust the gain. Plus I either sit or stand in the same place, so it's not too tough to match. I also really know my mic and can hear in my own audio where I had the mic placed. Now I'm starting to hear how I could improve my sound with a new mic...so that may or may not be a good place to be.

Bish · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:07 pm Post subject:

My biggest match-up issues are temporal. Many times I've wasted hours in an afternoon trying to drop something in to what was originally a night-time take. Now I just walk away from it and try again six hours later. It has been suggested that this may have something to do with coffee and the tightening effect on the larynx. Whatever it is, I've leaned to understand my afternoon/evening variables.

*Well spotted... no mention of mornings. I don't do mornings.
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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.

bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

Bish,

I suffered with the same issues and saw the caffeine connection mentioned here. God forbid I should give up caffeine, my heart might stop! So I tried simply cutting back by switching to half decaf. I grind my own so it just meant scooping beans from two bags rather than just one. But it made a big difference! And, best of all, no banging caffeine-deficit headache.
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Bob Ransom
"I really need a pithy quote here."

vkuehn · Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:15 pm Post subject: