VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Harrison · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 5:29 am Post subject: Session cancellations

Opinions, please, on how you handle this kind of situation:

A client (in this case, a studio) initially books a session. The day before the session they say that their client may not be ready, but they ask that the time be held anyway. Then, the next morning, with the booked/held session only hours away, the official need to cancel comes through (saying the session will later be re-booked for the following week).

As this studio is a new client (we did our first session yesterday; a different project for the same client), I happily rolled with the cancellation. But, as they are a studio, I'm guessing they have their own cancellation policy and, as we all know, other professionals (doctors especially) have very strict cancellation policies: usually 24 hour notice must be given or the patient will be charged for the office visit (a local dentist has just made his cancellation policy for 48 hours notice).

Your thoughts? Thanks!
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Bruce · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 6:57 am Post subject:

I've discovered there's a difference between a "hold" and a "booking" and hopefully they made it clear which it was. With a hold you, the VO, are allowed to book that time with someone else but the original client will expect you to call them and let them know so they're aware, and maybe up the ante to keep the time (but I doubt that happens often). In practice there is no penalty owed you for the cancelling of a hold. It's just a matter of courtesy for either side to do it ASAP.

A "booking" is a firm commitment for your time. There are union rules and fees that cover a booking cancellation with less than 24 hours notice, and I've had agents charge and collect cancellation fees even on non-union projects for me. That being said, I'd never charge one myself. Much better to let your agent appear to be an a-hole than yourself.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

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

Rick Riley · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:23 am Post subject:

Bruce summed it up well. I've never charged a cancellation fee but agents on my behalf certainly have.
_________________
Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the Paramedics

www.rickrileyvoice.com

Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 8:42 am Post subject:

Same here. When I "hold" a time, I usually just let the client know that I have someone else who needs that time. If they want to solidify at that point, they can (I ask before I respond to the other client asking for the time that is held) but usually they say they "need more time" for the script or whatever. I have also never charged a cancellation fee, but have agents that have as well.

It is very rare that a client cancels last minute...but it happens. I guess that's just life. If I had booked studio time and had to pay for it, they would definitely get that bill, but I'd let them know that ahead of time.