The Non-Union, Buyout Voice Over World

A vast amount of the local and non-broadcast voice over work is non-union work. And this type of work will continue to expand for two reasons. First, digital video is rapidly becoming the common medium of corporate communications. More and more companies are producing short video clips about their products for their internet sites or producing DVDs to plug their wares. But the expanding number of outlets for content is also changing the playing field. Where we once watched three networks on TV and listened to one or two local radio staions, now there are hundreds of channels of cable TV, satelite TV, satellite radio, direct access, video downloads, video games, internet shows, Hulu, YouTube, ipod broadcasts... you get the picture (yeah, on your iPhone!)

So the creation of content is in the hands of the masses and there are multiple outlets of distribution. The good news is that all that content needs voice overs. But most of this new work will be non-union, buyout work. That means you'll negotiate your own rates for your performances and the client will pay that rate and be allowed to use the material as many times as they want, forever and ever, amen.

What Happened to the Good Old Days?

Back in the day, in simpler times, the commercials you saw on the networks were from big, national companies-Proctor and Gamble, Kelloggs, Ford, IBM, etc. And the commercials were national or regional in scope. They also ran for many months or even years. So you had big companies using big advertising agencies to prodce commercials to play on big networks for a big audience. And the voice actors (and on camera performers) realized they had to have a big voice to survive in that arena so: big Unions! The unions negotiated with the ad agencies to set fair rates for the performers and they insisted on two key items. Really good pay... and residuals.
How good was the pay? Well, when you perform a commercial that is national you're getting paid for two things. You're getting paid for your labor (OK, it ain't bricklaying but you get the idea. And you're getting paid to license your performance and likeness so that they can broadcast it to the masses. SO the union deal works like this. You show up and record and you get a "SESSION FEE" for your efforts. This might be around $600 for and hours work. That's yours to keep even if they never use the recording.

Ahhh, but if they decide to broadcast the recording, then you also get a USE FEE. I won't go into the calculation details, but after determining where they're going to use it and how often and for how long they pay you a fat check based on those parameter. How fat? It can be really fat. The average national commercial is worth about $4500 every thirteen weeks. And if it plays for, say, two years... And if you have multiple commercials playing at the same time... (all of a sudden I'm having visions of the Verizon guy...)
It gets better. Even if they don't use it but intend to use it some day they pay you a HOLDING FEE. Pretty sweet.

The Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow?

No, it's not that good (although I know several performers who have bought houses with the residuals from one commercial). But, if you want the big bucks in voice overs you want to set a goal of eventually being in the unions and chasing after union work. That's the big leagues of voice over.

What are the Voice Over Unions?

There are two unions involved in the creation of Voice-Overs in the U.S. market. They are AFTRA (American Federation of Radio and Television Artists) and SAG (Screen Actors Guild).
AFTRA governs all vocal recordings, jingle singing, newscasting, radio commercials and shows, and television commercials and shows shot on video tape.

SAG governs television commercials and shows shot on film and motion pictures.
HOW DO I JOIN?
AFTRA is an open union. That means anyone can join at any time. You can join AFTRA by paying the initiation fee of $1300 plus 6 months dues of $63.90.
To join SAG you must meet one of three requirements:
1) Be a member of an affiliate union (AFTRA, AEA, AGVA, AGMA or ACTRA) for one year and work at least one part with a principal role (five lines of dialog-most commercials qualify you).
2) Employment in a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial. ( this is the famous Catch 22 -- You can't get the part because your not in the union and you can't get in the union because you don't have the part.)
3) Perform background work in at least three SAG films, videotapes, television programs or commercials.

Once you are elegible must pay an initiation fee of $2,277 (wow!), plus the first semi-annual basic dues payment of $58. Thus, the total fee to join is $2,335. Regular Dues are a minimum of $116.00 per year paid semiannually plus 1.85% of your earnings from $1 to $200,000.
You only pay the initiation fee for either union once in your lifetime. Very often the money you earn on your fist job will more than cover this.

CAN I WORK NON-UNION JOBS?

If you are a member of the union you are not allowed to work non-union jobs. Therefore you should not join the union until you are assured of continued, steady employment in union situations.
DO I NEED TO BE IN THE UNION TO GET AN AGENT?
Many agents deal only with union situations because they are far more lucrative. Therefore they only work with union performers. However, agents that are trying to establish themselves will often book union and non-union jobs.

Keep talking!
William Williams