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Ed Fisher · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 3:39 pm Post subject: National Radio Spot - Say what?

I received this email today:

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I am in the market for a voice over talent for a few radio commercials. We are needing a narrator for one -60sec, two- 30sec, and two- 15sec spots. Plans are to record in Atlanta (midtown) on either December 23 or December 30, and it will take around 1-2 hours. These ads will run nationally for about a year. If you are interested, would you please provide me with an estimated quote for your services.

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Here's the thing...

I haven't a CLUE what to quote on this.

A little help? Suggestions? (The sooner the better)

Thanks.
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Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 3:44 pm Post subject:

Ah, just forward it my way. I live in Atlanta. Wink

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Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

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Ed Fisher · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 5:10 pm Post subject:

bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

I'm not understanding why you'd go in that much under union rates? It sounds like they're being quite upfront on usage and are probably expecting a reasonably hefty fee. Being non-union, you can go in at union rates and still be cheaper than union folks as the client won't have to pay the additional health and retirement costs.

They must like your sound or they wouldn't even be asking so don't sell yourself short.
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Bob Ransom
"I really need a pithy quote here."

Ed Fisher · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 6:25 pm Post subject:

Hey...I'm with you.

I just throwing it out there.

Did I happen to mention....that I have NO IDEA what I am doing?
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Kristin Lennox · Flight Attendant Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 858

I agree with Bob -- don't sell yourself short. Union scale is just the MINIMUM rate that can be charged, you could go much higher... cool

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Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

Ask em what the budget is. That's always a good starting point.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 7:33 pm Post subject:

First thing to do is go to www.producershandydandy.com and figure out what the union rate is. Then, if you can't get them to throw a number on the table first (always the best option), hit them with whatever you've come up with. If they gag, you can always come down to a rate you're still comfortable with. But once you throw your own number on the table, you can't raise it up. This ain't poker. Except it is.
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bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

Lee, I hate to say it but I've been doing this a long time and still can't figure out a union rate. When I used to sit on the other side of the glass, years ago, I'd have to call a paymaster just figure out what the actual final number would be, so I could give the client an honest number. Even the talent agents never seemed to get it right. The whole "adding up the units" thing just made (and makes) my eyes cross.

So in truth I have no idea what a union rate for a national radio spot is. I'd have to call somebody to do the math.
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Bob Ransom
"I really need a pithy quote here."

ballenberg · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 7:55 pm Post subject:

Ed Fisher · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:33 pm Post subject:

Ed Fisher · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:22 am Post subject:

In case there is any doubt, I am very grateful for the input here on this subject. One question for those "in the know" when it comes to union rates that I can't seem to find anything on is...

IS there a different rate between a :60 or :30 (or :15 for that matter) when it comes to talent fees? My mind tells me that there SHOULD be...BUT even the Hobo Laughing

F rate card from the SAG-AFTRA website makes no such distinction.

(Am I having a "senior" moment?)
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"I reserve the right to be completely wrong."

Lee Gordon · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:05 am Post subject:

A spot is a spot. A :10 pays as much as a :60.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

Ed Fisher · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:22 am Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 3:42 pm Post subject:

In a few rare cases I have, or my agent has, made a deal for 2 :15's for the price of a single spot when there are several spots in a package.

But when it comes to :60's and :30's there's about the same amount of work that goes into voicing either, if you know what I mean, so the pay should be the same.

B
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