Dave Courvoisier's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘voice’

October of last year, I launched into a series of blogs about synthetic voices.  It got a lot of responses, and landed on John Florian’s VoiceOverXtra site, too.

The idea that a machine can even BEGIN to affect the subtle nuances of a human voice for interpreting copy is an outrage to many.  But those are audiophiles.  What about someone with an iPad or a Kindle, who just wants to plow through some required reading?  Would THAT take a Grover Gardner or an Alan Sklar?

Plus…synthesized voices are getting better and better.  Maybe you should refresh your memory with a listen to some of the voices I link to on that previous article ” ‘TOUCHED A (SYNTHETIC?) NERVE!”

In the last few days, a couple of emails from VO friends prompts me to obring up the subject again, ’cause, believe me folks, this is the VO Issue that won’t go away.

See my friend Chris Wagner’s blog “Computers are Stupid” for a look at not only voice, but synthetic image technology that doesn’t require you to have an intimate friend who works for PIXAR.  Chris asks a similar question:  Is this the beginning of the end for actors?

Then, not to ignore the legal/ethical issues that tend to crop-up around (but always lag far behind) these innovations…my VO friend Steve Hammill pointed me to THIS SITE where authors are crying foul on the argument of copyright violations.

Don’t even get me started on the subject of Steven Jobs STEALING the term “voice  over” for his own convenience.  It’s ruined many a Google search for me.

CourVO

….More fallout from my blogs on setting rates.

A Las Vegas friend who has a burgeoning podcasting business, but whose true genius is in marketing/selling, responded to my blog with a fine suggestion.

Scott Whitney is a big fan of Tom Freese’s series of books base on the idea of QUESTION-BASED SELLING (QBS).

You can visit Freese’s website on QBS –  HERE.

But, getting specifically at the point Whitney is making about “the Humble Disclaimer”…you may want to visit directly to THIS QBS page.

It’s a quick read, and true to Whitney’s astute observation, it fits right into the discussion of setting rates.

Thanks, Scott

CourVO

This is Part-3 of a loosely-told story from Dave’s real-world experience in setting rates for a voice job.

Part one is HERE.
Part two is HERE.

You’ll remember, I’d hoped for permission from my anonymous (but quite real) female VO pro to excerpt an extremely well-stated philosophy for setting rates.  She’s now granted that permission.

She sent me the explanation as part of an on-going communication we had over a mutual client.  That client had at one point shared MY rate-sheet with HER as a means of negotiating a fair rate with her after hiring me for a job (he later apologized).

The rub was that HER rate was obviously and significantly higher than MINE; a point she made to me not out of malevolence, but to shake out my own awareness of value.  She was telling me nicely that I was probably not charging enough (a conclusion my own client also later admitted to me).

The compensation policy she’s devised is well-articulated in the comments you’ll find BELOW.  Her arguments are reasoned and powerful.

The whole experience for me has been tangible.  It’s prompted a timely and crucial adjustment in my sense of fair pricing — an issue most voice actors wrestle with endlessly.

Voice coach/actor Bettye Zoller also reacted to my rate-setting blogs with the following comment: “Pricing is the hardest subject to teach others because it’s a very personal experience depending on so many variables. Very complex. You’re brave to put it out there. But no one person can tell another how to price. It’s too dependent on too many circumstances including whether the talent needs the job or won’t work under a certain fee and more.”

I couldn’t agree more, Bettye.

Please take the time to read the measured words below, of  who I would say is now my unsuspecting “VO Rate Mentor”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Conference-calling is a burgeoning business these days, it seems.

Many people use it for communal conversation, and voice actors are no different.

I’ve tried FreeConferencing.com many times over the past few months.  It is free, and it is a no-brainer.  No scheduling is needed, and your conference call number stays the same always.

Now, FreeConferencing is touting a new service called FreeSee.  I’ve only just signed up, and haven’t gotten my confirmation yet, but I can only imagine they’ve added video functionality to go along with their already-reliable product.

See their notice below, including the link to sign up for the FreeSee Beta.

CourVO

Read the rest of this entry »

Thinking back…I’d have to say I get the most spirited reaction to blogs about setting freelance VO rates…and I’ve done a few of those blogs, ’cause the issue keeps coming back for me.

I wasn’t overwhelmed with a response to yesterday’s blog: SETTING VO RATES, but the few who chimed in added much to the conversation.

Perhaps the best post-script to yesterday’s tale was the response from my client.  I’ll save that for last.

If you read the comments to the blog, you’ll see that VO talent Jeffrey Kafer cautioned me to NEVER share my rate sheet with clients.

The dean of VO blogging — Bob Souer — reminded me that it’s great to have a spine about these issues, but reminded me that a spine is flexible, else we would never be able to tie our shoes.

I liked the response that came from a follower on Google Buzz:  “…sounds like a tough thing to gauge, I would imagine though that your work speaks for itself (literally) and that the client would find value in your service. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to mention on your rate sheet that these are introductory prices and you are building a business so take advantage of these low rates as they are lower than industry standard. I also like the idea of asking for more but that comes with lots of experience and rock solid reputation…”

Voice actor Justin Barrett responded that, “I kinda like the approach of telling the client you’re building a business. However, could that not easily backfire if the client interprets “building a business” as “not yet a working professional”?

The female voice talent mentioned in my tale responded with a wonderfully eloquent and involved email explaining her rationale for not really HAVING a rate sheet.  The response was so reasoned and savvy that I’ve asked her permission to reprint excerpts here so we may all benefit.  If she acquiesces, I’ll post that very soon (tomorrow?).

But here’s the response from my client that I promised above: He called me today apologizing for sending the rate sheet to the female VO talent, saying as soon as he hit the “send” button, he regretted it.  I believe him.  I told him that the whole experience has sharpened my ideas about setting rates, and made me re-evaluate my worth as a developing voice actor.  The conversation ended with a much better understanding of the process for each of us.

But here’s the real kicker:  The client (God bless ‘im) told me in the course of the conversation that “…Dave, I would’ve paid you more for your services…”

Wow!  See?  I left money on the table.  I didn’t ask what I was worth.  My product is undervalued.  I’m not respecting enough myself OR my work.  I’m selling short.

Lesson learned.  A valuable lesson.  I’ve already augmented my rate sheet, and am promising myself to remember to say to future clients:  “Tell me how much you’ve budgeted for this project.”….or….”What is the most you’re willing to pay me, and still feel like you’re getting a fair deal?”

Check back here over the weekend, when I hope to have the sage advice from the seasoned female voice talent who was willing to generously share her thoughts on this issue.

CourVO

So many variables go into the setting of rates for freelance entrepreneurs.  That’s my opinion.  Others differ.

The arguments can get quite philosophical — wrapped up in value judgements of self-worth, market conditions, and even personal relationships.

I’ve heard ‘em all.  I especially love the hard ‘n’ fast rules that always seem to come from the highly successful long-time voice actors who typically will say something like:  “….I never even turn on my mic for less than $450…”

Well that’s just all fine and good.  Did you start with that?

Those of us still struggling to keep a daily flow of work…who are developing a full stable of clients…who are ever seeking the threshold of fair pay for hard work… THOSE kind of hard ‘n’ fast rules are elusive.   At least they are for me.

Let me relate a story that just happened to me:

The call came out of nowhere.  A local producer wanted to hire me to be the voice of a conference being held in Vegas…I quoted directly from my rate sheet, and he seemed happy with that, AND my work.  All good all around.

Then he asked if I could refer him to a voice actor of the female gender.  He had another project, and needed a certain type of voice.

I returned to him a couple of names and contact information.

One of the referrals — a seasoned voice actor with a sterling reputation — returned a thank you, and continued to keep me in the loop with communications back and forth.

Then came the e-mail today.   She quoted him a price for the project they were negotiating, and then he returned to her an email ATTACHING MY RATE SHEET. She then very nicely mentioned in an email to me that she hoped she hadn’t scared-off my client because her rate was “…significantly higher than mine.”

OUCH!

Reactions:

– The client faux pas’d by sharing my rate sheet in the first place (I told him so)

– I launch into a gut-wrenching rationalization of my rate sheet

– I also launch into a soul-searching re-evaluation of what I’m worth and what I charge

On the VO-BB some time ago, the notion of “SPINE” became popular.  Rightly so.  The idea being that only those Voice actors with spine will stand up and ask for the price they truly think they’re worth.  Raise the bar.  Take charge.  Have chutzpah.

Great!…but there’s just this one caveat….

CourVO

You hear me talk about this publication every month….but have you actually flipped through it’s amazing online pages?  And by “flip” I mean it literally.  This is one of the coolest online magazine formats I’ve ever seen.

EQ mag is for musicians, studio geeks, audiophiles, engineers, and studio techs, but so much of what you’ll find on these pages is helpful to voice actors.  Tons!

For instance, an article this month entitled “Why settle for tracks that sound good when they can sound great?”  is packed with tips on audio editing, including use of plug-ins, equalization, and mixing.

And like I always say, the ads alone are worth checking out, just to keep current.

Click HERE or on the pic above.

CourVO

Most twittered comment about the female VoiceOver for the Oscars Sunday night:

“She just said ‘pitcher’ again, instead of ‘picture’.”

Second most twittered comment about the female VoiceOver for the Oscars Sunday night:

“Did she really say ‘Barber’ Streisand?” (she did)

That female voiceover for the Oscars, BTW is Gina Tuttle.  I had not heard of her, but thought she did a pretty good job with nice energy.

HERE is a link with more about Gina.

And didja hear about the SNAFU Jeff Bridges got himself into with one of his best voiceover clients?  Hyundai was all set to run a rash of spots on the Oscars, but was turned-down for a conflict-of-interest.  Read HERE and HERE all the details.  Hyundai ran the ads anyway, but used several other celebs as substitutes for Bridges.  Hey, Hyundai…how ’bout trying out some PROFESSIONAL voice-actors???  Hmmm?

Finally, did you notice for the first time in over 20 years presenters were allowed to say: “…and the WINNER is…” instead of that contrived phrase: “…the Oscar goes to…”

I’m so glad they made that change.  If you happened to have missed the Oscars, what’s the first question you ask. Uh-huh….”Who WON”?

CourVO

Why am I such a sucker for this stuff?

It just FINDS me.

Simple, harmless, helpful FREE.  ‘Takes minutes to set-up.

Check out FLAVORS.ME.  It aggregates all your social networking sites into a sublimely plain, customizable interface on an easy-to-find page.

To see mine, just click on the pic above.CourVO

Make no mistake, many things are going on in the background big-time as preparations build for the only major conference for VoiceActors known to mankind.

VOICE2010.  You know…that thing happening in Los Angeles in June of this year.

The early-bird pricing specials are over, but James Alburger and Penny Abshire have plenty of surprises that may benefit you as a registrant between now and then, so keep your eyes open for specials.   Those of you who are SaVoa members will be seeing a promotion distinctly tailored for you as well.  If you haven’t seen it or heard of it already, contact your SaVoa Advisory Board member for more.

Actually, I’ll be IN Los Angeles this weekend as a sort of advancer.  The reasons I’m there vary from pure R ‘n’ R to professional…don’t ask…but call me if you wanna get together with me.  I’m there by noon Friday, and leaving about the same time Sunday.

You truly need to be there if:

1) you like to see, talk to, and learn from all your VO peers
2) you’re a seasoned professional
3) you’re a learning professional
4) you want to meet any and everyone in this biz who has connections
5) you want to learn the latest in gadgets, methods, technology & techniques
6) you like to see how crazy VO’s get after-hours.

Me and Terry at VOICE 2008

But all this is not what I REALLY wanted to get to in this blog article…what I really want to know is what YOU want to know about applying Social Networking to your VO Biz.  Terry Daniel and I will be doing the General Session Saturday morning, and it should be worth your while.  Got questions?  Let us know now.   Seriously.  Call me at 702-610-6288 or email me at courvo@courvo.com with your thoughts.  Make a comment below. We want to make this something you can take to the bank.

CourvO