Rates for Video Games

[mariposa]

Hi, all

Just came across an audition where I need to provide a quote for voicing a list of words/phrases probably giving 3 variations of each line..

They haven't mentioned if this 'video' game will be available for purchase in stores or simply online or for computer...

Can anyone give a range for what is reasonable to charge per line? I'm non-union...

Many thanks!!!!:smiley:
Jen

[Bob Bergen]

I don't believe in a per line quote.

I'd quote union interactive rates. Let them counter, but since there are no residuals, even if it's union, you have nothing to lose by asking for union scale. Here's the breakdown:

SESSION FEE $737.00 Off-Camera RATE is paid for any single Interactive Platform performance of up to Three Voices during a Four Hour Day. Add $238.70 for each additional voice. The Day Performer RATE for 1 voice / 1 hour is $358.00. Voices used on any ON-LINE or NETWORK Platform or used as a ‘LIFT’ to another program, add an additional 100% of the original RATE in each case if the rights are acquired within one year of initial release and 110% after such period.

[JoeActor]

Hey Jen,

Yeah, I saw that posting as well. I didn't quote a per-line price, but instead put a note in my submission indicating that I would be willing to discuss pricing based on the full project specifications.

Bob's on the money with the Union Scale rates and not quoting per-line. I've done some gigs for more, some for less. It also depends (for me) the distribution and if it's a buy out.

Waiting for the day we get residuals from video games,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[jsgilbert]

January 1st 2008, the scale rate for interactive was increased to $759. There are no residuals paid to actors for interactive work. Also, it's probably a good thing to know that when someone (a signatory) hires an actor through a SAG or AFTRA agreement, in addition to the scale payment or scale and a half or whatever you might command, in general there is an additional 25 - 30% roughly that the employer pays for health, pension, welfare and payrolling.

Also, Scale rates for union work varies from geographical area to geographical area. San Francisco scale payments are less than Los Angeles. The scale amounts listed here are for Los Angeles. You can find phone numbers for the various SAG and AFTRA offices and ask them for current scale payment informtation.

Also realize that many producers specifically do not want to produce under a union contract in the belief that they can find adequate talent for considerably lower payments. Additionally, performing for a video game under a non-union agreement often means signing an all encompassing buy-out clause. If the client decides to lift any or all of your performance and use it on the internet, for trade shows, or even broadcast commercials, under the non-union agreement, you would generally not receive further compensation.

If you perform in a video game under a union agreement, the client can not use your perfromance for any other project without compensating you additionally for the additional use.

Non-union pay scales vary wildly from video game to video game, but most do not pay near what a video game performed under a union contract would pay. If you do agree to work without the benefit of the union contract, make sure that you limit the usage of your performance or have provisions in an agreement that allows for you to be compensated if they do use your perfomance for other purposes.

[mariposa]

Bob, Joe, jsgilbert..THANK YOU sooo very much for chiming in on this topic!! Even with the VORG, all kinds of projects come up and I'm always wondering what's the route to take. So I'll definitely keep all your tips in mind.

--Jen