He's baaaaaaaaaaaack --- with a question!

Matt Prather

Okay, now that I finally have the concert gig out of the way (until the end of the month, anyway --- but at least I'm the pianist for that one, so I can rest the voice a bit), I can devote some time to getting back to the important things in life, like schmoozing the forums on V123. Smile

I know this subject has been beaten to death, but I'm still wrestling with it. I got a private lead for what looks to be a really fun gig, but...... the pay is really really low, about $150 for 1-2 hours in the studio. No, it wouldn't kill me to take the subway to a local studio and pop off the script for a couple of hours. Yes, I understand it's a small startup company running really close to the bone (and I've been there!). But it really seems they're paying about 25% of what they should be paying for the IVR work they're asking for.

To take the quick-but-cheap gig, or not to take the quick-but-cheap gig, that is the question. Thoughts?

Best,
Matt

Cameron Thomas · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007, 17:59 (GMT) Post subject:

GO FOR IT! The fact you have the internal debate shows that part of you agrees. It's local, a few bucks, a little more experience, and who knows, maybe they'll need you again down the line for something bigger and better. If it ends up being a screwball production, oh well...but you can't assume that all of them will be like that.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Cheers,
Cameron

Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007, 18:02 (GMT) Post subject:

Welcome back, Matt.... you've been missed! How did the gig go?

As far as this question, only you can make that call. It depends on so many variables:
- How badly are you hurting for, or wanting, work?
- How valuable is your time?
- What dollar value do you put on your craft/talents?
- What - really - is the probability of this turning into something more, down the line, from this company?

Someone here, a while back, posted an interesting comment that some years ago they'd done a very low budget bit for a start-up company more or less as a favor. Over the years it really paid off and that company is now supplying a huge amount of work to this voice talent, paying high dollars.

We see an awful lot of these 'more work to come' promises here and personally I don't put much stock in it, so I never use that as a criteria.

I also am now to the point where I simply have a bottom limit as to what I think my time and talents are worth and there are some jobs I just won't bother answering because of that. Not due to arrogance, but due to having built up some steady work, having paid my dues, and trying to manage my time most cost-effectively.

So again, this has to be your personal call. You'll no doubt get a lot of feedback here from others saying how they'd handle it, or how they HAVE handled similar situations, but they're not you.

Matt Prather · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007, 18:27 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks, Scott -- the concert went really well, audience absolutely would not let us leave the stage. Very gratifying, but I think I'm suffering Post-Production Depression now. After working so hard for so long, it seemed kind of anticlimactic to have it all over in one night. We'll probably resurrect it in smaller forms over the next year or so, but without the 50-piece orchestra, 175-voice chorus backing us up, and the 2200 people in the audience. Still, singing the part of the villain can be loads of fun! Evil or Very Mad

I think I am going to take the gig, just because it sounds like so much fun, but I'm going to try to bump it up a little bit --- maybe "Make it $200 flat fee, and we'll call it square." Of course, that assumes local; if they want me to record at their studios (they're not local to me), then we'll need to talk about travel expenses....

Robert Jadah · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007, 19:11 (GMT) Post subject:

Good to have you back, Voice Twin of Mine.

I'd have passed, were I you. Once you start dancing for peanuts, ain't nobody gonna be tossing truffles you way.
And it's IVR. Low-paying IVR.
In my books, that's rarely a fun gig.

But hey, if you're itching to get back on the horse, I guess any old mount will do.

Metaphor On and On!

Matt Prather · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007, 19:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks, Scott -- the concert went really well, audience absolutely would not let us leave the stage. Very gratifying, but I think I'm suffering Post-Production Depression now. After working so hard for so long, it seemed kind of anticlimactic to have it all over in one night. We'll probably resurrect it in smaller forms over the next year or so, but without the 50-piece orchestra, 175-voice chorus backing us up, and the 2200 people in the audience. Still, singing the part of the villain can be loads of fun! Evil or Very Mad

I think I am going to take the gig, just because it sounds like so much fun, but I'm going to try to bump it up a little bit --- maybe "Make it $200 flat fee, and we'll call it square." Of course, that assumes local; if they want me to record at their studios (they're not local to me), then we'll need to talk about travel expenses....

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007, 16:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Matt.

As a musician, you already know that some guys won't "take it out of the case for less than $.....".

But, like everybody 'ceptin' Robert agrees: It's a personal thing.

Me? I wouldn't take it out of the case, particularly since there's also travel-time and expense. Smile