Business Cents

    The forums have been busy lately with great discussions…not the least of which was a thread that went back and forth on the finer points of contracts.  ‘Questions about their legality, when to change them, how to change them, IF you can change them, and if so, when.  All that.

     This is on the Yahoo VO Group, which you can join for nothing if you have a Yahoo mail address (also free).  I get notices in my e-mail, and usually read the posts that way, so you never really have to actually visit the forum unless you want to.

    Of course, my very favorite forum in all the world is the VO-BB (Voice Over Bulletin Board).  Don’t forget the dash in the middle, or you’ll end up at Verot Oaks Building Blocks.

BTW, I sponsor my own VO group under Google’s banner.  Here’s the link:  http://groups.google.com/group/voice-actors.  We’re more than 50 strong.  Join us!

    Voice actor Michael Valentin added his very sensible thoughts on the whole thing about contracts, which somehow just seemed to sum it up for me.  He’s given me permission to re-print it below, followed by his contact information to the NY Voiceover Academy.

Thanks, Michael.

CourvO

I have a professional services business as well as my voiceover business. I
treat the latter the same as the former in that I create a statement of work
/ quote outlining terms and conditions. Once this is signed and faxed back
to me, I start working. I include language that allows for changes thru
AA’s (or author alterations) that are billable on a per AA basis. Other
changes to process, expectations, etc. are documented and signed off on. At
the end of this process, I include a detailed invoice for the work
performed. Please note, this is regardless of whether or not I receive
payment in advance or on Net terms.
My $0.02 :-)
Best,
Michael.
___________________________________________
Michael Valentin
Owner, Coach, Voiceover Artist
New York Voiceover Academy
31 Merrick Ave, Suite 150
Merrick, NY 11566
T: 516.208.5480
C: 516.250.2842
F: 516.977.4441
E: [email protected]
W: http://www.NewYorkVoiceoverAcademy.com