VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Harrison · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 2:33 pm Post subject: What constitutes a "line" in VO?

We've all seen scripts that are laid out in tables, with the audio content in its own column and often broken into a series of cells, right? And we know that a table cell is a container that can hold anywhere from a single character on up to...

Has anyone ever heard of a cell referred to instead as a "line?"

A line of text is not necessarily a single sentence; it could be shorter or longer than a single sentence, but is "a horizontal row of written or printed words."

So how does a dozen or so "lines" become 1,400+ words (approx 9.5 minutes)?

Pretty damned wide pages, I think.

You?
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 5:10 pm Post subject:

A "line" or a "page" are, to me, equally meaningless. And an "hour" (an hour of my time, not a finished hour of audio) is nearly as meaningless.

I believe the only way to accurately estimate the scope (and price) of a project is by word count or by finished running time.
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melissa eX · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:00 pm Post subject:

About 15 or so years ago I got an audition from someone looking for a VO in Spanish. He said it was "just a line" and it needed to be translated and could I audition the script. So I auditioned the one line script. I booked it and he told me it paid $100.

He sent me the final script - which I was expecting to be that same line - or something very similar - after all, it was "just a line".

What I got was a full :60 PSA. When I called him and asked which line I was recording, he said:

"ALL of it."

"But you said it was just a line - this is a full 60 second spot"

"Well, if you're going to get TECHNICAL, I guess you COULD say that since it does have a couple of periods scattered about, it's technically more than a line, but the periods are only there to break the line up a bit,"

So, I guess then the definition of a line COULD technically be 100+ words. Just leave out the punctuation.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 2:08 am Post subject:

These days, they leave out the punctuation because they don't know how to use it.

And if you knew then what you know now, you could have sent an invoice for $1000 with a note saying, "If you want to get technical, it's just an extra zero." cool

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Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 2:27 am Post subject:

In VO this is a line "We're a bit tight on budget"

Another is "Do us a deal on this and there'll be a lot more work for you"

Good business for anyone trying to hire you is to ensure they pay you a little as possible. Good business for any VO is to ensure that you receive as much as possible. Negotiation means ensuring both parties are happy.

A price is based on a formula whereas a job is based on a desired outcome; go for your desired outcome.

My darkest secret - I only ever accurately price a job and explain it to the customer when I DON'T want to do the job.

My darkest secret The Sequel - I only ever say yes to a low paying job when I want to do it or when I value my time. For the latter it is genuinely more cost effective to get it done than to argue.

That'll be $9.75

Frank F · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 3:20 am Post subject:

Phillip raised his prices for that one.... But he forgot my 20%.

Never, never, ever, quote a price until you SEE the project script. Now that is a line to remember.

There is what most consider a "line" or two.

There is what a client considers a "line" or two.

There is what a VO artist' considers a "line" or two.

Choose one.

That will be $10.00 even plus 15% for Phillip.

Frank F
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melissa eX · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 9:31 am Post subject:

The line I gave that guy after the conversation was "sorry buddy, find someone else - this isn't good for my bottom line"

Bruce · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:00 am Post subject:

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 11:25 am Post subject:

Foog · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2014 12:54 am Post subject:

Alternatively, if you have mastered the overwrought actorly pause, a line can be one. Single. Word. Long.

(think I'll start charging by the line. I mean... By. The. Line!)
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