VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

kitstern · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:01 pm Post subject: Studio Center.

I've received a package welcoming me to Studio Center's talent roster and since there were questions awhile back about their exclusivity policy I thought I'd better get that clarified before I signed the paperwork.
Here's the word from their talent director:

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:35 pm Post subject:

I do not believe you can also be a member of ProComm.
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ballenberg · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 2:21 pm Post subject:

Run away as fast as you can. That's a very bad deal.

Unless they're guaranteeing you gobs of money (and they can't), I'd avoid this like the plague.

This is of course, only my two cents, and others may think I'm dead wrong.

I'm not.

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

I agree with Bill.

Although they are recognized online, they most likely will not be able to provide you with enough work to either make a living exclusively from it or to make up for work lost from dropping other means of exposure.

Finally, check for "out" clauses - for example, if they don't provide you with a specified amount of work within a specified amount of time (say maybe 3 months), you have the right to terminate the agreement.

-Anthony

mcm · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject:

I agree with Bill and Anthony.

You know, one of several things I would not like about it, if they do business the way I imagine they do, is that SC would be your broker, in effect, and you would not get to interact with the client. The clients themselves are more than half the fun in this business. I like them and like doing business with them directly, whether they are producers, ad agencies or the end client themselves. I don't want a middleman.

Just my opinion.

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject:

I believe we have at least one current member of Studio Center and one former member. Maybe they can explain how wonderful it is to belong...if they really work hard to get all their members lots of work.

Bruce

mcm · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:52 pm Post subject:

kitstern · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:10 pm Post subject:

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:04 pm Post subject:

CWToo · Guest

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:00 am Post subject:

Is this a "I want my cake and eat it problem". I regularly read postings about the Union/Non- Union issue and it would appear that most voices want to do non- union work at union rates but not exclude themselves from union work by belonging to the union whilst not be a member except when they are, or not.

Decision time. In this instance it's run with Studio Center or not. If you run with them then you work together for your mutual benefit. Not only do they get you work (hopefully) but you continue to serve your existing clients through them. It could be made to work but it would require commitment and trust on both sides.

kitstern · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:33 am Post subject: Studio Center.

I just had another chat with their talent director and re-read the contract. It appears that because they're expanding so fast and because of the nature of the Internet, they're being more stringent with their talent about being up on other marketing sites. There was a disconnect for me because several of their voices are up at V123, and I wondered what that was about.

I have no problem giving up V123, as long as I can still market myself in other ways, keep my agent and still do work outside of SC. And, per Chris's advice (thank you again) I'll have an attorney look at the contract.

Thank you so much to the members who offered their opinion. I'll let you know what I decide.
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imaginator · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:05 pm Post subject:

i got all the way up to signing the contract, but hit the same wall you did.

in order to be a part of studio center's talent list, i could not be listed as an available talent anywhere else. for me, that meant procomm and sunspots specifically (where i'm somewhat established and do a fair amount of regular work), and some other places that have offered free listings. ...not enough to buy houses with, but still a lot more than i could throw away while rebuilding a financial base.

politely acknowledging studio center could not be expected to offer any guarantees, i stated i'd need to replace a minium dollar amount to give up what i've already established, and i apologised for wasting their time.

unless someone's going to provide a salary, it's very hard to pledge such loyalty upfront and still have any hope of paying the bills.

i'll be interested to know how it goes with anyone else.
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kitstern · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:01 pm Post subject:

At this point the only thing I'll be giving up is V123 (where my subscription is almost u Hobo Happy

, Commercial Voices.com (ditto) and Interactive Voices (where I've just joined). Jobs gotten from those sources don't account for much of my income, except for the clients I've done work for and are now officially "mine". If I was getting regular work from ProComm or Sunspots that would be a different story.

When I hear from my lawyer about the contract I'll let y'all know what he says.
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Enjoy life, this is not a rehearsal.

http://www.kitziestern.com/