VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

Does anyone know if AFTRA governs in-store annoucements for national chain stores? I'm too impatient to wait until Monday to call my local.

Thanks!
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Deirdre · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject:

http://www.aftra.com/contract/nonbroadcast.htm

It's called "Storecasting".
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JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

Thanks.

Couple of followups:

1. The rate says $374.50 for 3 months use. Is that rate for a certain number of minutes?

2. If the performer is union, does the buyer HAVE to have a union contract or is it "ok" in the union's eye if you simply charge the buyer a union scale rate?
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Deirdre · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject:

Rule 1-- the Red Flag of the Performers' Unions is this:
"No member shall work as an actor or make an agreement to work as an actor for any producer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the guild which is in full force and effect."
To wit:
No Contract, No Work..

It's a good idea in essence-- It certainly alerts the clients and client producers that there is collective bargaining behind the work you're doing, and you have the union to back you up.

Simply charging union rates isn't enough. The client is required to also pay your tax and contribute to your pension and health fund. This is also perfectly reasonable. It adds on about, what-- 35%? I forget the exact amount. "Scale" is simply the floor rate an actor should RECEIVE for the work being done-- it's not the total amount! You're supposed to put all your ducks in a row and go through some kind of signatory in order to satisfy the contract obligations.

There's the rub.

I don't have an agent.
I have direct contact with most of my clients.
For stuff the union doesn't cover, like radio imaging, I name my price and bill the client, and they pay me.
For stuff over which the union has control, and I still have direct contact with the client, I have to either get a One Production Only batch of contract paperwork, and have someone from the local sign it, and have my client sign it, and I get to sign it and fill out a production report which the client also has to sign and then I send it all into the union office
OR I can go through a signatory paymaster who takes anywhere from 6.5 to 10 % of the gross.

Where's the value in this?
It's an added layer of meddling between my client and me and boatlods of paperwork that I must foist on my client or pay someone to handle.

It's requiring me to get permission to do the work I've always done, EVERY TIME I DO IT— AND pay for the priviledge.
Pay twice, really.
You pay dues based on your union income already.
If you do the freelance work the way they want you to, you pay again for the privilege of working by having to use a paymaster.
The paymaster's value is that they handle withholding and contributions to your H&R They take care of the paperwork and bill your client who pays THEM, and then they pay YOU.
Problem is, for a $500 job, it will take $32.50— $50 out of your pocket to do it.
"Just add it onto your fee" the folks at the union say.
Why should I?
WHY should I give my client grief because my union doesn't trust me?
I'd love to create a corporation myself to take care of this stuff and be a signatory for the work I do, but there might be fraud, you see. A person in this position might claim work he didn't do, so he can qualify for benefits.
So— because someone else might cheat, I have to pay more to do the work I've always done.

So, color me ambivalent about this. I'm all for contracts! it's just that the way they are administered is far too cumbersome and punitive for the trench warriors.
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Frank F · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Bravo! Bravo! D.B. I echo your sentiments exactly. Thank you for saying what i am thinking.

Bravo!

Toodles

F2
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COURVO · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject:

Incredibly well-said DB...

Where would I be without this forum?....without your worldly wisdom and experience....? Still struggling and stumbling...that's where.

You lift us all into the higher levels of professionalism by sharing the way you do.

Thanks!
XOXOXOXOXO

Courvo
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on your phone at courvo.mobi
702.610.6288
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scooter2 · Guest

Dear DB,

You are so good with words and so full of knowledge and so generous of spirit..you must be a marvelous human being as well as a grand voice talent.

Really.

scott

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:09 am Post subject:

thanks, deebs. you are the best.
i heard your voice when i read that.
excellent.
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Lizden · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:26 am Post subject:

Yep, thanks Deebs.
And Yes, Scott...she really IS awesome!

Liz
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Brett Mason · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:29 am Post subject:

...it's why I'm here...
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JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

Thanks D.B. Your insight is appreciated.
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Joe Szymanski
http://www.joethevoiceguy.com

todd ellis · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:36 am Post subject:

add me to the list of "back-patters" on this one deebs!

thanX
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Bruce · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:43 am Post subject:

It might be nice with the one-time clients (and all the rest too) to say a spot rate is $450 instead of the usual $350 and say "we'll take care of the rest" and let some computer divvy it all up into the correct piles and be done with it. And let everyone fill out and approve one simple contract on-line, too. This is 2007 after all.

No, wait. That's too easy. Damn.

B
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Lizden · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:46 am Post subject:

LOL! Bruce! Sticking out Tongue

Liz
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject: