A question about v.com budget listing vs client's budget

[voicy1stef]

Hi guys!

I've just got a quick question. Sometimes I notice on the voices.com audition listings that a job will be listed as "Job budget": $1000-$5000.

Then, in the script and details section the client's description of the job could read something like 'budget is US$1200.

Just wondering why there's a disparity in the rates. And, therefore when doing a proposal, should we ignore the v.com job listing budget suggestion, and pay more attention to the fee listed in the client's description, portion of the notice?

I've noticed this in a few of the audition descriptions, so I just thought I'd better ask for some advice on this.

Thanks!

[JoeActor]

Originally Posted by voicy1stef

I've just got a quick question. Sometimes I notice on the voices.com audition listings that a job will be listed as "Job budget": $1000-$5000.

Then, in the script and details section the client's description of the job could read something like 'budget is US$1200.

Just wondering why there's a disparity in the rates. And, therefore when doing a proposal, should we ignore the v.com job listing budget suggestion, and pay more attention to the fee listed in the client's description, portion of the notice?

I believe Voices.com budgets are selected from a menu of options (100-250, 250-500, etc). They are not free-form like V123's.

I don't see a real disparity. The seeker chooses the correct range to give the talent a ball-park figure on the list of jobs, the specifies the exact amount in the posted text. As long as it's in the range, it's kosher with me... In cases like this, I quote the seeker's budget if it's an ok number.

As a programmer, I prefer the way Voices.com does pricing. It's clean and simple, and you don't end up with "to be determined" or "whatever-they-want-to-type". It would also allow Voices.com to let us filter the auditions (ie. "Don't show me any Audio Book auditions below $500") V123 can't have this because of the lack of quantifiable information in their postings. But they have SmartCast instead...

Meh - what do I know,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

[jsgilbert]

Unfotunately, for those of us who would be happy with a $500 booking, the same booking is of no interest at $250. It is a rarity to find any of these auditions where the pay rate actually seems to equate with the higher end of the payment spectrum. Therefore, if Voices.com presents an audition that says $250 - $500, many will not audition for it. While I think the folks at Voices.com are extemely nice, courteous and caring, I feel it is a device to have people believe that the posted auditions are better than the competition's.

I also generally avoid auditions postings at V123 that do not have a defined amount or range. Being known as the cheap voice actor that's adequate or being placed in any type of bidding zoo is nothing I am interested in.

As an early adopter of both sites, I find the Voices.com approach has worked itself much more in the direection of a voiceover school and one that caters to individuals newly discovering voiceover. Indeed there are exceptions, but this is a fundamental difference I see that clearly defies them vs. the other site.

[Lee Gordon]

I just naturally assume that any job posted on Voices pays closer to the low end of the stated range than the upper end. Thus, if a job actually paid $500, it would show up as $500-$1000 rather than $250-$500.
Voice123 used to have a similar selection of price ranges in the pre-SmartCast days but I think they abandoned it when they switched over. If one of their jobs is listed as "To be determined," I just name the price I would ordinarily charge.

[voicy1stef]

Thanks gang! Now I've got a clearer idea of how this system works....

[Julie Williams]

Stef,
If client gives budget amount in posting, and you would work for that, then put that as your bid. But if it's a range and no budget is posted, don't just assume it's low. Bid the high end, if low end isn't enough compensation. The worst thing that happens is you don't get the job. If you wouldn't work for the lower end, then you haven't lost anything.

If they like you and you're close, it's been my experience that they'll contact you and make an offer. You can accept it or reject it.

Bidding a little high, within the range, doesn't hurt anything on voices.com. Of course, with Smartcast on v123... it will work against you because bidding too often lowers your rating.

[bobbin beam]

Has anyone noticed an upgrade in the types of projects coming thru V123 lately? And lots of 'em?

[Julie Williams]

Yes, Bobbin.
I noticed some good jobs coming through.

One thing to watch out for in the better quality postings... I found this out from Vic at Airwave Talent. Then saw it myself a few times.

There is apparently an agent or casting person who is getting good leads from voicebank.net...and posting them on v123. But for a LOT less.

For, example, One recent lead that I got from my Houston agent paid $1400 inclusive of agent commissions.

Commissions would typically be 15% non union ($210)
10% union ($140)

But on voice123 the job was listed as paying $1000. That's almost a 30% commission!

Another one that Airwave talent sent me paid $3500 + agent commission... and the posting for it on voice123 said job paid $3000. So this person will take the commission plus $500.
I'm not saying that a $3000 gig wouldn't be good. (This one would for that!) But if you get the same copy from a couple of your agents (On this one I got it from two agents and v123) why submit on v123 when every submission is a knock against your rating...and you'll make more if you get it through an agent that cares about a long term relationship with you? And not submitting leaves a slot open for another talent who may not have been able to submit... and who may not have an agent who sends good leads!

So do the auditions, but save them for when your agents call...so you can submit through them and make more money!

BY the way... the client who is doing this (and I don't know who it is) is the one who also emphatically states that we don't slate, and apologizes that he wont' rate our auditions.