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Dave DeAndrea · Been Here Awhile Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 206

Just curious... do any of you charge a non-refundable fee to lock in a recording session time?
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Zak Miller · Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject:

Dave, I would say it depends on the client and the amount of work around the requested time.

I have found that clients would rather not be pushed around. That being said, if they are jerking you around with moving a session all over the place and they are a slow pay, then yes. If they are a repeater then I would just let it roll and take the session money.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

Perhaps if my day was so chock full that I had to bump other clients, then I would. But I doubt most people's days are so filled with concrete appointments that they can't be flexible.

My thought is that if I'm going to dick the client around like that, then they'll find someone who won't.
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Michael Schoen · Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 8:01 pm Post subject:

Dave,
I cannot imagine doing that. They ask you your availability -- you tell them you schedule. It happens. On rare occasion something may get cancelled or changed but I haven't had a lot of issues with that, whether its home studio or in town.
Not just that it may be a buyer's market with lots of choices but also it's a little harsh.
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jsgilbert · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:18 am Post subject:

I charge the client a non-refundable session fee and cleaning deposit prior to my doing the work. I insist that this be delivered inperson in bearer bonds or certified gold boullion a minimum of 72 hours before the record session.

That way, I'm protected.

These days it seems I get more an more of what is called a "check avail". This is that lovely call you get from your agent asking you to hold open a block of time for a client, most often also indicating my presence is requested at a "professional" studio. This may happen several days or even a week or mor before. You carefully negotiate things to accomodate the client, loading up the days prior and afterward. Then the day before, when you haven't heard a word and you call your agent thrice to find out what is going on, you get an email at 4:45, which now requests you reserve a completely different date, for which you are fairly booked, thus leaving you with a day to twiddle your thumbs.

And this tends to happen with SAG and AFTRA gigs of all description. That said, it seems rather difficult to try and tow a line to a client who may have some sort of "emergency" or other issue that might make the have to reschedule, etc.

One other aspect of the recording at home world is that if the client isn't renting a studio on their end, for example simply calling from their office or Skyping in, the tendency is often not to look at the actors studio with the same regard as a professionbal, pay by the hour joint. Thus the 3pm booking often gets preceded by the 2:30 phone call saying they are running late and it's going to be closer to 3:30. (Which invariably is closer to 4pm)

I often indicte these things on the invoice with a charge and then back it off, so they realize my time is money. Same thing for other services I may provide that aren't specified. I list it as a line item and then indicate a 100% discount.

There are many good reasons for doing this.
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todd ellis · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:24 am Post subject:

completely agree with the perceived-value comment, j.s. it is likely NOT valued until we tell them it has a value. i ALWAYS invoice for the "over & above" things i do for a client - then deduct it below. it lets them know that, yes - i typically charge for ... but i gave them a deal because i'm a great guy & they're a great client. i will often get an apology with the check and a promise to "do better next time".
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:47 pm Post subject:

I use the words "professional discount" a lot when showing the un-charges.
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todd ellis · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:58 pm Post subject:

Ooooo, I like that!
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Dave DeAndrea · Been Here Awhile Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 206

Thanks for the input everyone. Interesting. So let me ask a follow-up... in regards to these ideas...

Bruce · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 7:36 am Post subject:

It depends on whether you want to take the chance of never working with them again.

Some folks will get the point and some won't.

B
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jsgilbert · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 7:50 am Post subject:

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:22 am Post subject:

What J.S. said.

I clearly spell out that script changes are at an additional minimum session fee, but sometimes it is one word and I don't charge for that if the change comes in a reasonable time frame. If it is months later, then I will charge - again sometimes less than my minimum session fee if the change is very small - like yesterday I had to change the words "a doctor" to "an HCP" in one file.
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Dave DeAndrea · Been Here Awhile Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 206

jsgilbert · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 11:25 am Post subject:

sorry, that was just me being funny and not really directed at anybody. Perhaps I could have used some word besides complaining.
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Deirdre · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 12:27 pm Post subject:

I think it's a valid enough question.
Lots of other professions regularly charge you if you miss an appointment.

I think the once burned, twice shy rule applies as others here have said.

And spelling things out is always a good idea.
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