A Comparison of Castings Between Two Voice Over Website Rates for the Same Jobs
Voice over rates are always a hot topic. Especially now that many jobs are being cast online and more often than not recorded in a voice talent’s professional home studio.
Most voice actors have minimum rates, which are expected and show professionalism. But how low is too low?
Debate continues to rage about which casting websites give you the best bang for your buck. Many still complain that they should not be charged to be listed on these sites, and of course everyone is welcome to voice their opinion. Many look at being listed on these sites as exposure and write it off through tax as marketing spend.
We decided to do a random check today and put The Voice Realm head to head with some real castings done on a competitor’s website.
What would they pay elsewhere, and what would they pay if cast through The Voice Realm?
These castings were selected randomly, written down and then we went through The Voice Realm set voice over rate card and wrote down the comparisons. For full disclosure TVR does take at 15% commission on each job and a $99 yearly listing fee, compared to up to $395 elsewhere.
THE RESULTS ARE IN:
Other site:
45 second TV spot: $150
at TVR: $225
Other site:
43 second non-broadcast narration: $100
at TVR: $175
Other site:
30 second TV test spot + travel to studio in NY: $200
at TVR: $175
Other site:
100 second commercial spot: $400
at TVR: would be classed as ‘infomercial’ : $675
Other site:
30 sec TV spot(s) Vague description about how many spots will be made or where they will air: $400
at TVR: Minimum $175 if it were one spot airing locally in a small market.
If there were 2 spots airing in more than 5 states, total would be $1000. If the 2 spots were to air in a small local market, total would be $225.
CONCLUSION:
Everyone will have their own take on the results, so I’m not going to analyze them or break them down. Quite simply voice talent cannot bid against each other due to our set rate card. Invoices happen automatically, and payment is made within 72 hours of a job being closed.
Many would argue that these jobs would pay more through a traditional agent. Which is true, however there’s also no travel required with castings online, no callbacks, no gas, and other expenses like insurance required by some studios.
I would love your feedback and comments below on how you deal with low-budget clients.
