VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[jrodriguez315]

I have a quote request from a client who may want me to travel to Korea to do the recordings. What do you charge for travel time not spent actually recording for your client?

Here is what they are asking me:

[Philip Banks]

Do a currency conversion. Session fee for the job on an hourly rate. Travel expenses should include Business Class air fare. I included a nominal £250 per day travel time as you can't record in an aeroplane.

[bobsouer]

Joe,

No doubt there are several studios where you might work. I know Liz de Nesnera is there in New Jersey and has ISDN at her place. You might want to check with her on price and availability?
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[Bruce]

Something tells me the travel to Korea thing is pie in the sky. When they see the difference in costs they are likely to choose a less expensive option. However, a 3-day turnaround to Korea and back will likely take a few days for you to recover from once you're back home, so I'd allow for some additional down time post-session. I'd want at least $700 per travel day (they're taking you away from other possible work), plus, plus, plus.

Good luck!!

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

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

[Lee Gordon]

This may be a stupid question, but is this an existing client, a new client for whom you made the initial contact, or someone who approached you?

If choice #1 or #2 it is most likely legit; if choice #3, proceed with extreme caution.
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[jrodriguez315]

[ccpetersen]

I can speak to the extreme caution thing: had a client last year that wanted me to come to Southeast Asia for a project plus to teach a class in science communication. I sent them my projected costs (including per diem for the days of travel, business class air fare, lodging at the nearby Marriott, etc.) and that I required a downpayment to cover my up-front costs (i.e. the plane fare). They okayed it, sent a signed agreement back, and told me to make airline reservations. I wrote back saying that I would make the plane reservations when the down payment was in hand. The folks wrote back and said, "No problem. We will send you a bank draft."

I waited for two weeks, no bank draft. I wrote them again, got a response saying, "It's been delayed." I wrote back and said, "Let me know when it's on the way and I'll instruct my bank to keep an eye out."

Wait two more weeks, no draft. I write again. The reply was essentially, "Just make the reservation, we'll pay you back when the proposal is okayed."

I wrote back, "You already okayed the proposed budget, I have it in writing. You agreed to send a draft. You approved my requirement for an upfront payment. I insist that you follow what we agreed on."

Reply: "Well, our finance ministry has changed and they want to change the rules. They say you should buy the ticket, get the hotel, and we'll pay you after you finish the work."

My response: "This is not what we agreed to."

Their response "We'll buy you an economy ticket on el Cheapo airlines and put you up at a hostel."

My response: "Sorry. this is not what you signed in the agreement. Nice talkin' to ya. Write when you get your finance ministry schooled on honoring a signed agreement." (We had a signed agreement...)

That was the last I ever heard from them.

Moral of the story: get it in writing, no matter what. Don't agree to pay ANYTHING out of your pocket, no matter how honest they say they are. They may well BE honest, but there's always an invisible person up the food chain who pulls the strings.

For what it's worth, our company deals with Korean producers quite a bit and the ones we've worked with have been scrupulously honest; but still, we get everything in writing.
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[ballenberg]

Well, CC, that is certainly a cautionary tell if I ever heard one. And you're a smart and total pro to handle it the way you did.

I say charge at least a 1000 US per travel day--payable in advance. And Philip has the right idea about flights and accommodations. You want to have all tickets and confirmations firmly in hand well before you go (even though they're e-tickets). And having traveled extensively, don't forget hidden costs, all ground transportation including in the US--take a car service to/from Newark Airport or especially JFK, which is a schlep from Central NJ, all meals, gratutities. You will be surprised how much all this can cost. And Bruce is right: You will return weary from the journey. Make sure you get paid for that.

Pie in the sky, as Bruce says, is likeliest (Do they have pie in Korea? Kimchee pie?)

As far as ISDN in Central NJ--don't spend your time searching. NYC is so close and there are a gazillion places--just go to digifon.com and check Dave Immer's directory, organized by state. Or call Nutmeg, right in midtown (not too far from some good Korean food, too)

Good luck, sounds like it could be a good gig.

[Lee Gordon]

The caution is, it just smells like it could be a scam. If a job can be done via ISDN or phone patch, what would be the point of having you travel all the way to Korea? That's a ton of needless extra delay and expense for the client.

There are all sorts of variations on the old "Nigerian Prince" game involving a potential windfall from a total stranger. On the woodworking forums I visit, I have heard similar stories of people from foreign countries ordering custom furniture pieces that need to be shipped overseas, and the buyer is to send a bank check but has some reason for overpaying, and the seller is supposed to rebate the overage, but the bank check turns out to be bogus.

I have also heard of people responding to Craigslist ads in a similar manner.

I hope, for your sake, that this is a totally legitimate transaction but keep your eyes open and do not spend a nickel of your own money to make it happen.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

[jrodriguez315]

Thank you all for the advice, I will tread carefully and thanks for the studio leads as well.
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Joe Rodriguez, Bilingual Voice Actor | The Voiceover Thespian Blog

[jrodriguez315]

I got an update from my potential client. They still haven't selected me but it is starting to feel like a real job now. They sent me a script. Here are the details:

[Drew]

Yeah, Joe. It's starting to smell less like Kimchi and more like real dollars--or in this case won. Whatever you quote 'em, I'd insist on half up front along with all ISDN/studio fees.
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[Mike Sommer]

It would not hurt to ask what it is going to be used for.

As for the studios. Shop around and get the pricing on 3 or 4, this way you can have backup studios in your pocket in case there are booking problems. Let them know of the pricing options. (This is normally the work agency would be doing, the "Foot Work"-- do not underestimate the value of your time doing this. Though this maybe just a gimme, on your part, but it is you time.)

Get everything in writing; no detail too small. Half upfront and the full amount for the studios estimated time. The last thing you want to do, is owe a studio money. If you are responsible for paying the studio make sure you get a receipt for your tax records.

Since there will be the interplay of three languages during the session, there is the chance of misunderstand and interpretation. So, it might be best to overestimate studio time.
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