VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

asnively · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the encouragement and great advice, Connie. This is a low-budget (under $500) project and he's used up more than $500 of my time, not to mention the fact that I didn't even get to wash my hair yesterday and I turned in a batch of IVR prompts to a regular client late 'coz I couldn't get him off the phone.

I would be comical if it wasn't my real life.

Me: "I'm sorry, I can't talk to you right now. If I don't get back into the booth right now, there will be :30 of dead silence on 6 radio stations! Please email me!"

Him: "Ok. Sorry. I'm so very sorry. I'm so sorry to take up your time. I know you are a busy woman. I will call you back in a quarter of an hour."

AAAAAAACCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! Angry

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Mercedes Cars

tackerman · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:

Deirdre · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject:

I've started quoting independent commercial work proposals with the warning that if the copy is overwritten, the price goes up.

It takes me nearly twice as long to voice copy that is too many words for the time frame. PLUS I have no enjoyment in the process. And no matter how well I do it, it will sound like a mass of words-in-English, which I believe is not a good addition to my oeuvre.

So— the price goes up.

Also: Consultation phone calls are billable time if the client is an idiot.
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DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

asnively · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject:

paddyo · CM Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 975 Location: New York City

Paddyo

audio'connell · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:23 am Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:53 am Post subject:

For some reason this reminds me of the sign I used to see in an auto repair shop:

Labor Rates:

$50 per hour
$75 per hour if you watch
$100 per hour if offer to help

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

glittlefield · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:01 am Post subject:

asnively · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:41 am Post subject:

I did it! I sent the letter! I withdrew from the project! I feel so free! I think I'll go dance around my kitchen and have a snack to celebrate!

Here is the letter. I hope it doesn't sound too mean... Believe me, I used a lot of restraint. I also tried to keep it easy for a semi-non-English-speaker:

Hi ______;

I am so sorry to have to tell you this, but I am going to have to withdraw from your project for the time being. The kind of assistance that you need for your project right now is beyond the services that I offer. You do not owe me any money.

People usually send me finished scripts, or ones that need just a little help, and then I record them, and then I get paid. Smile

It does not usually require multiple phone conversations, so I do not take that kind of time into consideration when quoting a price. If I was billing you my normal consultation rates, you would have already used up most of your budget by now! The fact that I have a lot of trouble understanding you on a bad VOIP connection makes things even more difficult and time-consuming.

I've already spent hours trying to figure your project out, and I cannot spend any more time on it at this stage. You need a scriptwriter and translator and maybe a bilingual project manager. You are not ready for a voice over artist right now.

Good steps for a project like yours:

#1 Decide what you want to say, and who you want to say it to
#2 Hire a writer to write the script, and then when the script is finished...
#3 Give the final script to the animator (or another artist, or an art director), who will create storyboards for the animation
#4 Make revisions to the script, if necessary
#5 Then give the script, and preferably the storyboards, to the voice over artist, who records it
#6 Then the final audio is given to the animator so he or she can complete the project

I think your product is very important an I am still excited about it. I would love to be the voice of your presentation, but you need to get to step #5. Please do not call me on the phone, but feel free to email me. (I don't usually talk to clients on the phone. I need to save my voice for the many hours each day that I am recording. It makes me too tired to complete my work well if I need to speak on the phone except in urgent matters.)

I hope you understand and I wish you every good fortune in your endeavors.

Yours,
Etc.
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Vehicle insurance Forum

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:12 pm Post subject:

Well done, enjoy your freedom!

Here in the UK we have a budget airline called RyanAir. Passengers can pay as little as $10 plus taxes and other charges to fly to European destinations. These passengers are mentally living in the 1950's when air travel was for the exclusive use of the rich and they were pampered all the way - For $10 the RyanAir passengers should think themselves lucky to get an inside seat. What's my point?

Some people approach me to do Voice Overs for them and they do not have the money for a full service Philip Banks but they may get my voice with "RyanAir" service, in other words "no fluffiness".

When an ad agency gives you a hard time during a session, be nice no matter what, they're paying for fluffiness. When someone is not paying the fluffiness premium say and do what you like while getting the job done!!!

Dave · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

Very well done...good for you!

Dave

P.S. Dittos to Sir Philips post
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. If at first you don't succeed, then bomb disposal probably isn't for you.

Jowillie · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:26 pm Post subject:

There are clients that we do "full service." This may include everything from concept and research to auditions, specs and final implementation including media buy recommendations. And yes, we charge accordingly.

Perhaps in your letter, you should explain that the client may want to contact a full service agency to properly prepare the campaign and work out the final details. At that point, encourage them to then contact you for the final presentation production.

Maybe we should all describe the levels of involvement we are able to provide, making sure no one gets confused, in our web and demo presentations.
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Wild Willie Edwards
www.hometowntvtoday.com
http://vomictest.blogspot.com

asnively · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject:

You know, people who try to get things done on the cheap, by not hiring a full-service agency to handle their project, often spend more in the long run due to missteps, mistakes, and missed opportunities. (Ooh! How alliterative!)

This client is putting his entire R&D investment at risk by not going to market with the right stuff with which to inform his potential big-money customers and investors.
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1980 recession