Rate question:Navigation System!

Luna Stanom Hilal

Hi there,
I hope you're all doing well.
I need your help with something, I'm an Arabic voice talent, I received an invitation today to quote for a GPS project in Arabic, here's the information I got about the projects:
10.000 copies per language. Non broadcast in Media
About 900 words (300 to 400 different and individual wav files)

I'm not sure how much I should ask for this project, most of my work is usually Documentaries, e-learning courses and commercials, so I don't want to ask too little or too much for this one.

I would really appreciate your help.

Thank you all in advance,

Regards,

Luna

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008, 16:21 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Luna ~

I wish I had some information for you but I've never done a GPS job before. You might try either calling an AFTRA office to see if they have any rates established for that type of work, or perhaps work out an hourly rate. If your voice is going to be used for a GPS system, it seems then that it would be on-going work as they probably would want to keep the voice consistent throughout the project so if that’s the case, keep that in mind as you establish your rates. Also, you could ask the client what the budget is that they've established for the job, before you quote your rate. It might be much higher than what you were going to quote, (and would also give you a starting point.)

You could also perhaps try emailing voice-over agents in the States, voice-over coaches, or also posting your question on VO-BB and see if anyone might be able to help.

Best of luck, (and congratulations!)

Maxine

Luna Stanom Hilal · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008, 16:32 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Maxine.
Thanks for your reply.
I'm gonna try an AFTRA office as you suggested, maybe they could help, the client needs a quote asap, and he didn't give me a clear answer on the budget: Budget: Non defined!!!!So I have no starting point!!!

Thanks again Maxine.

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008, 16:52 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Luna ~

I just tried Googling "voice over narration GPS" and a bunch of things came up. voice-over artists that do GPS and also this website, http://www.perfectvoices.com I don't know anything about them but on their home page they say that they record GPS systems.

Perhaps you could give them a call or email them and just explain your situation and ask for their help in ball-parking a rate? I've found when I genuinely need help and call a company to ask for their expertise on a subject, people are really happy to help!

Good luck!

Maxine

Luna Stanom Hilal · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008, 17:03 (GMT) Post subject:

I called my local AFTRA office, I couldn't get hold of anyone, I guess I'll try later.
I'm sending an email now to the website you mentioned, I hope this works.

Thank you soooo much, I'll let you know the answer once I get one.

Claire Dodin · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008, 10:32 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm on a GPS system, but I recorded in a London studio at my normal studio rate for non broadcast.
I don't know how much you need to charge because you're doing it from home, you have to edit, separate the files etc...
You need to account for this extra work.
I recorded it a long time ago, when I started, so I didn't charge a usage fee, I probably would now.

Luna Stanom Hilal · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008, 20:49 (GMT) Post subject:

Merci beaucoup Claire...
It seems like most of the work is going to be editing and saving the seperate files(about 400) !!!
So you think I should charge a usage fee???(if they chose me of course Pray

) How do you calculate this even?

Claire Dodin · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008, 23:23 (GMT) Post subject:

usage fee is usually calculated as a % of the basic recording fee (ie: not including the editing time), for a certain length of time and per country.
I was recently offered for a non broadcast job 200% for one year, 400% for 4 years, and 600% for perpetuity for France. These rates are on the high side for non broadcast and usage for France is much more expensive than some other countries. Most non broadcast jobs will not have a usage fee. You need to assess how big the company is and if they are likely to be able to afford such rates. But it is 10,000 copies of a product they will most likely sell for over $200 each.
Quoting is a difficult thing. I always try to ask what their budget is, try to talk on the phone to them if you can, it's the best way to negotiate, you can get a better sense about what they can or cannot afford.
For this type of job, 100% per 10,000 copies is probably more reasonable and they'll know that if they want more copies later, they'll have to pay the usage fee again.
Tough one! Good luck in your decision!

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008, 04:31 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Luna ~

I know there's a telephony phone prompt software that makes the saving of zillions of files easy and automated and since its purpose is to save many, many files easily, it might work well with GPS. I can't remember the name of it but I know that Connie Terwilliger mentioned it in a post last year.

I'll try to find out the name of that tomorrow and perhaps it will help. (NO ONE can save 400 separate files and still be efficient!)

Keep your chin up ~ even though this is all rather daunting right now, I'm positive you'll find all the information you need to make an informed decision for your client.

Maxine

Luna Stanom Hilal · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008, 22:38 (GMT) Post subject:

Maxine, you're the best!!! Wink

Connie Terwilliger · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008, 23:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Vox Studio is the name of the program I use to record endless prompts. It is about $400 Euros. (Thank goodness I bought it a few years ago!)

http://www.xentec.be/products/vox_studio/vox_studio.htm

Feed the right format .txt file into the prompter and record and save your files with the right file name as you go. Then one batch process at the end to convert to the right file format and automatically normalize - and most important and probably equally as time consuming as having to name each file individually - add the right amount of silence to the beginning and end of each prompt.

It isn't for editing - I use Audition if I need to edit anything I capture in Vox Studio, but for telephony, that is usually rare.

Allison Scussel · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008, 23:31 (GMT) Post subject:

Did someone day GPS? The following is just a joke, but contains strong language and humor. View at your own risk. Be prepared to laugh. Laughing

http://www.tastelesschoice.com/gps.htm

Luna Stanom Hilal · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008, 02:45 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Connie, I just downloaded the trial version which limits the length of the files to 5 seconds! but other than that it should be fully functional.
I'll give it try and see how it goes...

Allison, that's a such a funny video!I might even use some of the lines in my recordings heheheh.

Claire Dodin · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008, 09:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Allison:

That's the GPS I want in my car!