Frequently Asked Questions

·    Non-fiction Audiobooks (but also enjoy fiction books)

·    Faith-based projects

·    E-Learning narration for teaching, explainers, corporate

·    Commercials (TV-Radio-Online) 

·    Non-profit organizations

·    Documentaries, educational, inspirational

·    and any other professional Christian audio needs …

FOR AUDIOBOOKS?

• Audiobook narration usually requires an agreed-upon rate between the author and the narrator for a Per Finished Hour rate.  *PFH is an hour of completed audio (not the actual time it took to create it). 
• Additionally, the two parties might agree upon a smaller one-time PFH rate and then a share of the royalties based on the audiobook sales.  

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FOR COMMERCIALS AND  NARRATION VO PROJECTS?

• Many factors can go into providing you the VO you desire.  Rates vary based on several factors: 

                   - time to produce 

                   - length and difficulty of script

                   - reach (local, regional, national)

                   - syncing, speed of delivery required 

                   - broadcast rights, retakes and other factors

• We will, of course, discuss all of these issues easily on the phone or email.  Prices charged will be a win/win for both of us.

Simple.  Email or call me directly with your project objectives and any questions you have, and we'll come to an agreement and begin. Pretty simple.  Fast turnaround as well.

Absolutely. I’ll send you a custom demo sample for your project.  My goal is to capture the read you believe will best reach your audience and communicate your message.  Your satisfaction is extremely important to me.  

For timed scripts, it is important that you first read it aloud yourself to make sure it can even be read in the allotted time.  Be realistic about content and timing.  Leave some time in the script for emotion and feel to shine through.  If it is crammed in to tightly, there is little room for emotion and genuine, real communication.  Of course, it depends on your objective. 

Here’s a typical example of the kind of direction that could be used in a script.

  - Let’s say you use the acronym "ISO."  Of course, it could be spoken as either individual letters or as a word.  If your preference is to say it as individual letters, then write it in the script as I-S-O. If you prefer it to be spoken as a word, then put quotation marks around it - “ISO” - and give a phonetic rendering such as “ICE-oh.” Capitalize the first syllable to show emphasis. For longer projects, it is best practice to develop a pronunciation guide for the narrator that can be referenced to ensure you project is correct the first time submitted.  In some cases, the words that may need clarification for the narrator can be literally recorded on my answering machine when you call me, and I'll have that audio reference during the project (this is best applied for an audiobook with lots of weird names and locations, etc).  The system works great.

Yes, of course.  In most cases (unless it is a long read), I provide two reads for your comparison in a short demo.  

Once the copy and style are agreed upon and the project is completed ... and you then want a retake because you’ve decided to alter the script, then there would likely be an additional charge. 

If a retake is because of my mistake, there is, of course, no charge.  Any billable retakes will be discussed in advance and a quote will be approved and then provided.

Really fast ... depending on the project, the time of the day it was submitted, and how long it is.  When we connect, we'll agree on a timetable for completion.  Short projects can be turned around in a few hours or less.  Longer ones may take a day or so. 

I send out PayPal invoices within 24 hours of the project's completion.  Payment by check is available for returning customers.  Payment is expected upon completion of the project unless other arrangements have approved in advance and in writing. 

• My professional 4x6 home studio www.vocalbooth.com/platinum-series-vocalbooth contains the highest quality sound treatment with industry standard professional software (Adobe Audition), microphone (Senn MKH 416, Rode NT1), processor (Scarlett 2i2), and a really comfortable chair ... etc.  
• Directed sessions available through Skype or Zoom or Facetime if you want to direct/watch and comment along the way.  There is also just a phone connection so you can hear and comment along the way.
• Finished file(s) will be delivered via We Transfer (you'll get an email with a download link), or I'll upload to your secure FTP, or share a Dropbox link for you to download.  You choose.
• I can deliver MP3, WAV or AIFF files.  

Perhaps. If you have a music bed, you'd like mixed into the final production, I can do that for you.  There will be an added charge, depending on the complexity of the project, to be determined upon request for the service. This may not be possible if there is nuanced/critical editing of the actual music bed needed. I am not a highly experienced 'music' editor, but I can easily mix and trac effectively.   Either way, you will receive a professional voice tract that is crystal clear, edited, and ready for your production department to work their music magic.  All the proper 'rights' for the music must be secured in advance.

First, make sure the script is ready and that it’s been seen and approved by everyone who needs to see it (re-records will add to the expense).  Make sure it all makes sense with no extremely long sentences.  Make sure someone on site knows and has communicated to me the proper pronunciation of terms and names in the script.  Also, many larger VO projects require separate segment files (PowerPoint presentation, Tags).  While I am fully capable and completely willing to prep your audio in individual files, you probably would find it less expensive for me to supply one complete file and then let your production team break it up into the pieces you need. 

Yes. I would not be able to continue in this VO business were it not for repeat clients.  You are my lifeblood.  So, YES.  No discount on the first job, 20% on the second, 10% on all future jobs.

Ok. I finished the demo and you approved.  I then completed the product and delivered it to you and THEN you decided that it is not a good fit.  What do we do now?  Well, if it is a short project (2 minutes or less) then we part as friends, nothing is owed.  I trust you’ll find the perfect voice for your goals elsewhere.  

1. However, if it is a longer project, I will make sure to deliver you a ‘section’ of the project early enough to give a final approval to continue finishing.  At that point, you will have the opportunity to determine if your goals are being met.  If you approve for me to continue, then you would be obligated to fulfill the contract agreement.  I don’t want you to be unhappy and I want to give you every opportunity to make sure your goals are being met.  This is NOT a loop-hole opportunity for someone to get out of an agreement they were not committed to from the beginning.  It is an honest effort for two parties to be truthful from the start and make this collaboration a win-win and one that can continue in the future.

I am an independent voice talent.

Q: Now I have paid for the recording - can I use it everywhere anytime forever?

A: No. Rights to the voiceover accrue to me unless you have paid for a buyout. For example, if a recording is bought for usage in a broadcast, your right is a standard one year of usage from the first date of broadcast, and only in the originally selected media (TV, Radio, Network, Online, in-house).  If the voice recording is intended for non-broadcast, it can, in principle, be used indefinitely, but still only for the originally selected media. Of course, you can choose a complete buyout of a voiceover (10% of agreed upon price). Then you can use it everywhere - and always forever and ever, amen.