VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

HeatherMasters

I have a former client which has approached me with another job. Now, the last job I did for him was when I was just starting out, and was happy to just get work, so it was for, say, half of what it should pay. I am getting steady work now, and have raised my session fee accordingly.

Here's the thing. He is not some big company, but rather an independent producer, and as such, doesn't really have the budget to pay what the gig should. But, I'd love to do it for two reasons.

1. I worked with him over a year ago, so the fact that he remembers me and sought me out for this is something special. I really value ongoing business with clients.

2. I really enjoy the work he does. He's really fantastic, and the project he wants me for is something I'd genuinely like to do.

So, at what point do you give in on your predetermined scruples regarding work? Or do you at all?
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Heather

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MBVOXX · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject:

I have an old friend who is a successful actor, currently working a principal role on an HBO weekly episodic. He's been working the LA scene for the past 26 years so he has a good handle on the processes, and gave me a valuable piece of advice many years ago, after he'd been working in LA for about 12 years, based on his experiences.
That was this: Whenever a producer offers a flat rate for a voice job you should counter with double his offer because that's the talent budget he actually has to work with and what doesn't go into your paycheck goes into his pocket.
Now, that's LA. Perhaps it's not as applicable where you are or practiced as much withing the client group you work with. But I've learned that, in most cases, he was right.

This is not directed at anyone specific, but generally...
We all have to live with and be satisfied the deals we negotiate. But negotiating low paying jobs, for any reason, doesn't help the industry or the rest of the talent pool out there trying to earn a living because it sets a bar for producers that is very hard to get raised. Also, it doesn't motivate low end producers to negotiate better budgets and elevate the quality of their work. And I suspect they all know what the VO rates really are anyway. There will always be people who'll voice anything for a hundred bucks, and out of work radio people who'll do it for 75 bucks or less. But one has to draw his/her own line in the sand and establish one's own level of professionalism.

Bish

Kristin Lennox · Flight Attendant Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 858

One of the best pieces of advice I ever got, years ago, was how to determine whether to take a job (for me, back then, it was doing theater, but it applies to VO, too...)

Ask yourself three questions:

1) Will doing it advance your career?

2) Does it pay a lot of money?

3) Will doing it "feed your soul?"

If you can answer "yes" to two out of the three, then go for it. This (in theory) is why some celebrities do small, off-Broadway plays -- the pay sucks, but it's good for the career and for some, live theatre "feeds the soul"... Smile

It's also why some celebrities do big, blockbuster stink-bombs -- the pay is great, and it also (hopefully) will be good for their career... but it might suck OUT a piece of their soul, doing it...

This is, of course, just a general guideline, but I find myself returning to it a lot. Two out of three ain't bad.

cool

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HeatherMasters · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2016 10:15 pm Post subject:

Gregory Best · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject:

If you decide to do it for a lower rate make sure the invoice show the full rate you would charge minus a one-time discount. Then he knows what you are really worth for next time and you gave him a break this time only.
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HeatherMasters · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2016 1:55 pm Post subject:

I just sent him a friendly email with the new quote. I don't really expect to hear back from him, but it's funny. As much as I genuinely liked the project and would have liked to do it, I feel even better about turning it down.

As if I've reached a point in my career where I'm not simply grasping at every dollar, but instead have gained a little confidence in what I have to offer, and as a result, the luxury of being able to say no.

I've got the warm fuzzies Smile

Thanks for hashing this out with me.
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Heather

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Gregory Best · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:42 pm Post subject:

He might surprise you.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2016 12:37 am Post subject:

On a School Day you attend school and work all day doing a whole bunch of stuff. At the end of school you discover that school is over so you are able to do pretty much what ever you would like to do.

If you do VO work then you have to decide if you are at work or not. When at work you are EARNING, contacting people who will help you earn, learning and doing the admin stuff. What else do you NEED to do? Nothing.

No such thing as a Low Ball Gig but there are jobs you would like to do and some you will decline.

How much do you need to earn every year? Divide that number by 138. Every day you work (only 138 days per year) you need to make that amount of money. The job you refused, how much was it going to pay? How would it have helped towards making a Work day a pay day? 1/2 what you need for a day, 1/3, 1/5? On a work day, every job moves you closer to hitting target.

Say no to ......

High profile jobs with a big radar image paying pennies on the dollar.
Anything you simply do not want to do.

Everything else?

Channel Aunt Rosie, the black sheep of my family.

"Just smile and take their money"

HeatherMasters · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2016 11:53 am Post subject:

Thank you Philip. I LOVE analogies, and yours are always so helpful. My husband can come up with analogies at the drop of a hat, and whenever I try I'm always left stuttering incoherently, so it's a trait I find fascinating in others!

And, lo and behold, I got an email saying that my rate quote was fine with him, and was able to complete the project AND get a decent rate as well.

Quite a happy ending I'd say.

Thanks to you all Smile

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Heather

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dwpthe3rd · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2016 11:59 am Post subject:

And there's always the thought that he, like you, will at some point be able to raise his rates, continue to call on you, and share the greater revenue generated with you.
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