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TC · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject: Rates for video game work?

A producer has contacted me about voicing about 10 minutes worth of dialogue for what he has cryptically referred to as an "audio program." He's asked me to provide a rate quote and has stipulated that it's an all-non-union project. I'd be recording the lines in my studio and sending them to him.

A quick Google search on the company and his name reveals that he does a lot of work in video games, so I'll assume it's that kind of work.

What would you charge?

Thanks.

Tony

Frank F · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject:

Not to be trite - but my answer is: "as much as I can talk you out of...".

You need ask a few questions prior to quoting any figure. Here are some of them:

A) Is this for resale?
cool

Is it a commerical "game", how is going to be distributed?
C) Is this Union or Non-Union?
D) Is this a buy-out?
E) How many units will be sold in the first-run publication?

All of the above are concerned with "gaming" type modules... so, you need to know if it is a "game" or if its just a pre-release hype for a game, etc... either way, there are a lot more questions to ask before signing on the doted line.

Toodles,

Frank F
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TC · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:56 pm Post subject:

Of course, that all makes sense. Common sense dictates that I just tell the producer I need more information and ask questions like these instead of pussyfooting around and trying to guess what will sound good. I'll do that.

I'll be really glad when I'm not so new to all of this.

Thanks, Frank.

Deirdre · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:42 am Post subject:

TC--

Figure your rate for a session, or for ten minutes of finished audio and double that number.
It's called "Usage" or "Buyuout".
A non-union gig rarely pays residuals and videogames are all buyouts-- even UNION vox for games just get the game session fees.

Session+buyout is the thing to keep in mind for website presentations, games, or anything where your work will be heard and heard and heard.
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Bruce · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:49 am Post subject:

I've only done a few video games, but in most cases they just quoted a rate up front...$300, $400, whatever, for under an hour's work. I did a video arcade game not too long ago that I bid and got at $500. The producer worked me hard for an hour, but as always, what a way to make a living!

Definitely get them to tell you what kind of product it is so you can make some kind of reasoned decision as to whether the rate is fair or not. If they're trying to be secretive, offer to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

B
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Deirdre · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:55 am Post subject:

Bruce is right. Sometimes you get the job offer with a budget attached!

Having to parse out your own rates is a stinker though-- until you get used to it.
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Travis · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:54 am Post subject:

Hi Deirdre...

bobsouer · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 10:54 am Post subject:

Joniv · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:27 am Post subject: VO Rates

I recently read in an artcle that non-union VO artists should charge about 25% less than the union rates. Does that sound right to you?

Joni
www.jonilambert.com
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Joni Lambert
www.jonilambert.com

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:02 am Post subject: Re: VO Rates

Frank F · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:10 am Post subject:

Joni,

I gotta say that sounds like it's a comment from a Producer who uses V12345678...

Many and I mean many non-union folks charge far above the going Union rate...
Although I am Union, I charge more than the minimums - a lot more.

My comment on that topic (and this goes for the topic at hand also): - charge what you can reasonably expect to get. Make as much as you are worth. And finally, remember: There are three different types of value - Market Value - what you can expect to pay within a given market for a prodcut or service, Actual Value - what something is really worth, and, Perceived Value - the amount you can convince others a product or service is worth.

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

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 12:50 pm Post subject:

FWIW. that 25% figure comes from an approximation of the "Add-ons" to union scale fees:
Health and retirement contibutions, paymaster fees, taxes, etc.

All of those are added ON to the talent fee-- not deducted FROM.
So if a union gig pays $225, you can reasonably expect the client to lay out that fee for the talent plus another $60 or so bucks to cover taxes and the other stuff.
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