Gentlemen’s Agreement

A Gentlemen's Agreement is an informal deal. It sets the rules for behavior in the voiceover world. Over the past five years, voiceover rates have dropped a lot. This is called the "race to the bottom."

This drop is because of Pay to Play (P2P) sites like Voices.com and Voice123. These sites don't teach hirers about normal industry rates. So, voiceover artists keep lowering their prices to get work.

New voiceover artists don't know much about the industry either. This lack of knowledge makes the rates go down even more. Also, more people want in-perpetuity buyouts, which lowers voice job rates worldwide.

The constant drop in voiceover rates isn't good for anyone. Industry experts are searching for ways to fix this problem.

The Impact of Low Voiceover Rates on Voice Actors

Voiceover rates affect how well voice actors can run their businesses. They have many costs like rent, software, marketing, and insurance. They must pay for these and their own salaries.

Many think voice acting is easy or a quick way to make money. But, it's hard work and needs a lot of skill and effort.

Technology has made working from home easier, like using Source Connect. But, voice actors should get paid fairly for their work and skills.

Being real in voice acting means more than just reading lines. It's about adding your own feelings and thoughts to the character. This makes the story more real and fun for listeners.

But, voice actors often get paid too little. Before, they used ISDN for work, which was very expensive. Calls could cost up to $5 a minute, and there were other costs too.

Now, Source Connect helps voice actors save money. It lets them work with studios far away without the high costs of ISDN.

To fix the low pay issue, everyone in the industry needs to know the real costs. By understanding the business side and the value of real acting, we can pay voice actors fairly. This keeps the quality of work high.

Addressing the Voiceover Rates Issue

Gravy For The Brain (GFTB) knows voiceover rates need to be fair. They created the GFTB Rate Guide V2 to help. This guide lists rates by genre, helping hirers and voice artists find fair prices.

GFTB also focuses on teaching the industry. They offer resources, workshops, and training. This helps voice actors learn to ask for fair pay and stand up for their worth.

GFTB is making its rate guides for different places. This means voice actors get paid fairly no matter where they are. It's all about fairness and making the industry better for everyone.

We all need to support fair voiceover rates. It's right to pay voice actors well for their work. By working together, we can make the voiceover industry strong and fair for all.

FAQ

What is a Gentlemen's Agreement in the voiceover industry?

A Gentlemen's Agreement is an informal deal. It sets the rules for ethics and behavior in the voiceover world.

How do low voiceover rates impact voice actors?

Low voiceover rates hurt voice actors a lot. They make it hard for them to keep their business going. They struggle to pay for things like rent, equipment, marketing, training, and insurance.

Why is authenticity important in voice acting?

Authenticity is key in voice acting. Actors must do more than just follow the script and tone. They need to bring realness, making their performance engaging and fun.

How is Gravy For The Brain addressing the issue of voiceover rates?

Gravy For The Brain (GFTB) is tackling low voiceover rates with their GFTB Rate Guide V2. It lists fair rates based on industry norms. They're also reaching out worldwide with local rate guides.

Why is education important in the voiceover industry?

Education is vital in the voiceover world. It teaches hirers and voice artists about production costs and the need for fair pay. This helps make the industry sustainable and ethical.

Why should Pay to Play sites and hirers value fair rates?

Pay to Play sites and hirers should care about fair rates. They should see the value in voice actors' skills and talents. This helps build a lasting and honest voiceover industry.