VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

vox1 · Contributor IV Joined: 14 Nov 2004 Posts: 126

without going insane.

I would welcome a rational methodology to attempt billing a particular job,
the genesis of which is roughly as follows:

1: On a Friday, Client requests availability for a Sunday A.M.phone-patch for a spot that 'may need revised first-thing Monday AM (hence the Sunday
booking). ((sound like a Political yet?))

2: Sunday session...a few tags and wilds for a Statewide-usage short-cycle TV..
we don't know which lines will be used... Session done.

3: Monday phone patch. Same client...60 radio. Cut, recut and re-re-cut in
the course of subsequent 4 hour timeframe as agency client re-thinks and
rewrites... sometimes it's just a line...sometimes it's a few variations on
a line...surely he'll have to ultimately have to Just pick Something and RUN
with it; )

The Day is a blur but it ends with no midnight callers..this one has apparently finally been Put to Bed.

Part II.

Thursday and another booking for New Radio. Same Campaign...Same
scenario. Afternoon Session. Statewide usage.. short-cycle... Copy
is laden with alternates. Same tough decisions to be made...which lines
will make the final cut? Many alternates are included to select from...
No prob. Let's see...250....300? Sounds good-- er...what's this, they
need an alternate line read...client wants to add in a legal qualifier on
one. Cool.. Done..Sent... Oh wait, is that another email? Hmm... client
wants to take a new direction with the first line...not sure yet just which
of these he wants so just in case, there's 5 variations...just the first line...
OK. Change is good...especially in our biz. 5:30 and the VOs are uploading...
but wait -- the phone... "ah, yeah, still here... just posted the changes.."
You need....another line.... Add a word... Sure man! We are 24/7 here bro!

Bottom line....what is your favorite way to bill for pick-ups and changes and
at what point do you just charge a frickin DAY RATE for a scenario like this?

I like this agency. I don't want to come down on them too hard with the
billing - it's their client whom I'm sure they experienced the same frustration in dealing with their collective A.D.D and inability to sign-off
on an approved script by a reasonable deadline.

Happy to hear any suggestions or reference points to serve as a reasonable "formula" by which to tally the final billing for the lot.

Have a weekend!

Mike
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Mikey ... Vox-Versatiliti

Saying something since 1970-
something

Deirdre · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:01 pm Post subject:

Wow.

I need a drink just READING this.
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DBCooperVO.com

Frank F · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject:

Day rate comes after six and a half hours... yes, you are entitled to a lunch break and four 10 minute breaks a day.

Bill 'em Dano, oops - Vox1-Oh.

Or, you could charge for wild lines and clean-up with that... each new email and change would be considered a wild line... so go for the gusto...

My real suggestion, figure out how much it is worth to you. Create an invoice explaining all the variations with actual pricing. Then take the items that you need to erase to get your 'wanted amount' and insert a negative amount transaction. Show this on the invoice.

Contact the agency and let them know what you are doing and why. Then send the invoice with NO remorse.

Toodles

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1636

If it is a political ad, you already broke the first rule of billing:

CASH UP FRONT.

If the candidate doesn't get elected, you are sooo S.O.L. I was taught this in broadcasting school in '89 and I know a few VOs who have been burnt by not getting the check in hand when they left the studio.

I would go with a day rate, as well.

Hart · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject:

Having never voiced a politcal I can't comment on that Dan.

However, at EVERY radio station I've ever worked at we always had a cash upfront policy.
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Brian Hart Productions

allensco · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:56 am Post subject:

Yep, same here for radio. Cash-ola up front. My opinion....hit 'em with the day rate.

Jowillie · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:27 am Post subject:

Don't Election Laws require prepayment for any broadcast schedules? That's great if you work for a Radio or TV station.
I do quite a few political spots and it sometimes can be a bear. You really need an understanding with the agency you are working with or whoever represents the candidate.
Politicos are on a different planet when expected to follow normal media rules. You may want to set the ground rules up front.
That said however, try to understand the animal and realize that often too many committees or individuals or even volunteers are representing a candidate and it will seem that they are making changes for the sake of change. I just finished a spot that recirculated five times for a parties' slate of candidates and even the candidates themselves gave me incorrect information.
I am also still owed money from a candidate's agency from his primary campaign in May....and they have the audacity to ask me to do the spots for the general election coming up.
WE