Well my goal is to be as easy to work with as possible keeping every thing simple and pain free so you get your perfect voice recording as soon as possible.

First things first.

An email is usually the best way to start off letting me know the basics of your voice over project - what it’s for, where you will use it, if you need a directed session and your deadline.

That way I can understand the job and provide a realistic quote. If you have a set budget or price in mind that is also handy to know.

I’ll ask you to review the quote and agree in writing (usually by return email) and this will act as our contract. I won’t share anything you don’t want me to, but I do like to use social media, and I believe in the benefits of mutual promotion where appropriate. That said, I’m happy to sign an NDA if you need me to, so now is a good time to ask.

Sample read. I’m happy to provide a short sample read of your script so you can hear your words with my voice to help with your decision if required.

How much will I charge?

Like most voiceover professionals my rates are based on a combination of two elements - the amount of work involved in the actual recording and the usage. The first part is calculated by looking at the length of the script, whether the words need to fit into a specific time or to fit to a video (time synch) and whether you need to direct me while I am recording.

The second part is the usage and this is calculated on what the recording will be used for and for how long. For example internal use within a company, on a website, as part of a You Tube advert before a video, television advertising, as an audiobook or on local radio. There are a huge variety of uses and the prices vary depending on the size of the listening audience. As I’m sure you can understand - if a recording is part of an internal training video to be listened to by a small group of employees the usage fee would be far less than if the recording is used in a global advertising campaign across all social media and broadcast platforms.

I am happy to offer a ‘buyout’ to allow indefinite use of my voice in some cases though many clients prefer to pay a license per month or year as they may not need to use the voice forever and paying for a buy out may be less economical.

To give an idea of how much your project may cost please get in touch or there is an excellent voice over rate guide at GFTB which will give you a good idea of voiceover rates

Before I Get Behind The Mic

You will need to send me the final script and if we are doing a directed session we’ll agree on a mutually acceptable time. I record most of my work in my own studio on my own but I’m happy to travel to your studio if you require. If I am recording on my own some pointers on how you imagine the tone, pacing, and any other information about the voice will be helpful eg video reference, background music, and if there are any unusual words that need me to pronounce now is the time to point them out. Once recorded I will send the files to you in which ever method and format you require.

If you have no particular preference I will send an uncompressed WAV audio file peaking at -3dB via We Transfer

And then ……..

My aim is to get it right the first time so you are happy and can get on with the rest of the project saving us both time and resulting in a hassle free experience. However if you have any tweaks that need re recording I’m happy to do that. In the case of a script rewrite I will consider how many changes have been made before letting you know if there will be an extra charge.

Finally

Once all has been approved I will send you an invoice for the agreed amount.

And I love seeing the finished project so if you are happy to share once all is finished I’d love to hear from you. I’m happy to share on social media platforms and with your permission I will add to my portfolio and promote on my own profiles

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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (SYNTHETIC VOICE) TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This section is written in clear, but more formal, language so there can be no misunderstanding. AI is impacting on the way voiceover talent like myself do our jobs, with the potential for widespread misuse, so it’s important that we set the ground rules. In the following, you are the “Client” and I am the “Talent”:

• Client expressly agrees not to utilise any portion of the recording or performance of Talent for purposes other than those specified in the initial Agreement between the parties including but not limited to creation of synthetic voices or for machine learning.

• Specifically, Client shall not utilize any recording or performance of Talent to simulate Talent’s voice or likeness, or to create any synthesized or “digital double” voice or likeness of Talent.

• Client specifically agrees not to sell or transfer ownership of all or part of any of the recordings or performance of Talent to any third party without Talent’s knowledge and consent.

• Client agrees not to enter into any agreements or contracts on behalf of Talent which utilizes all or any part of any of the recordings or performance of Talent without Talent’s knowledge and consent.

• Client agrees that any recordings or performances stored in digital format will be reasonably stored so that unauthorised third parties may not gain access to the files containing Talent’s voice or likeness, and if such files are stored in “the cloud” Client agrees to safeguard same through encryption or other “up-to date” technological means.

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