I've noticed a certain ad come up several times on here. I wont name them but it's easy to guess.
They use terms like "award winning" "critical acclaim" and "BBC" and yet despite already having a successful first series (if I've read that correctly) are advertising for voice artists to work for no pay.
NO PAY! Really?
I'm rather astonished by that. You can't really tell prospective voices that the first series received "critical acclaim" and then expect people to work for free...can you?
I'm speechless...and will stay that way until payment is offered :)
I was wondering about this ad as well! It's all male roles so I can't apply and access the 'comment on this' button but it might be worth someone querying why it's unpaid?
Part of me does think that this shouldn't be on Voices Pro. Fair enough there is an unpaid section but surely that should be for where people genuinely don't have any money to realise a project. Perhaps a bit more discrimination here, Voices Pro admin? I think you do a great job but do think you should watch out for exploiters like this.
This 'job' sounds completely exploitative, using the 'ooh look you could have the honour of working for the BBC' line to draw people in to work for no money...meanwhile how much are the production company doing it getting?
Really makes me want to swear.
I wont but aaaaargh...
think i will get my boiler fixed, not pay for it and tell the plumber that its a good promotion for him...
Its back! The same great BBC 'opportunity' to work for no money has reappeared on the opportunities section.
There is no reason given as to why there is no pay.
Thinking of applying to ask that very thing!
"Above and Below" is an independent production that is being put together by an small team on an almost non-existent budget. Although our pilot episode recently won a major BBC Audio Award...I hasten to stress that we are not in any way affiliated with the BBC, hence our lacking of funding or professional backing. However, we deeply pride ourselves on being a group of passionate amateur's driven a truly unique and groundbreaking series as a result our fearlessly professional work philosphy. Although we wish we could pay out actors, considering that we wish to release all of our episodes for free on the internet (much like the pilot), we simply cannot afford to do so throughout the production of our official first series.
Also, we're glad to know we're being talked about on these mysterious "forums"! It's lovely to know that word about the project is being spread around in professional circles!
Regardless, we hope that answer's your question Ruth. If you would still like to audition for a role on the show...please don't hesitate to let us know.
All the best Ruth!
Quite a nice message but I did then contact them to point out that they should have put this info in the brief to stop them looking like rip off merchants. They have since changed the title and have said they will change their brief info (tho not sure whether they mean for this job or future ones)
I think as VO artists we should be a bit more proactive at asking the 'whys' . I think ( and I include myself in this) sometimes we are too afraid to rock the boat so we don't let employers know what we think about jobs posted...hence in some of their minds we are just desperate wannabes not professionals.
Ruth
I have done jobs for this company before but not at this rate.
I emailed my contact there and he was very apologetic saying that the 'powers that be' have decided to cut the budget for VOs because...get this 'there is so much work coming in from all over the UK'
Eh?
Surely that means they could pay more!
Have told them we are all talking about them on the forums and saying what a rip off it is!
Ruth
Had another email from this company saying this:
"To be perfectly honest I had argued that the rate we were paying initially was a good rate for us, and my bosses agreed at the time! However it seems that there are a few prepared to work for less and that’s the parameter I’ve now got to work to."
So there it is from the horse's mouth. We are being undone by amateurs willing to work for (not so) sweet FA.
Ruth
I'm lucky I get a lot of paid work at the proper rates, so I don't mind doing some freebies if i think the scripts are good and that the team are young talent...we all were once,and were shown some kindness and support....but this bunch are none of those, it's just a shoddy way of working, and anyone who has invested their time, perhaps at least £5000, in their personal studio, studied engineering, and paying for their own electricity, and food, and rent and council tax, etc ad infinitum...and is prepared to be paid £2-1.50 a soy all in, inc buyout, is going to starve and be carted of to jail for non payment of council tax....gov radio, are as their name implies..obviously government...and i never know anyone of those, that had anyone but their own interest at heart, they should be ashamed.....that is way, way, way...below minimum wage...they should be banned from posting in the paid section....thank you for the info Ruth....we all have to stick together on these things....best wishes
Jon
Ah but Jon, we don't need to eat or pay rent! We are just so very grateful to be doing voiceovers....money? No! it's all for the love of it... And I am so glad my plumber/gardener/electrician/Binman does likewise.;-)
Seriously, I wholeheartedly agree, Jon. We really need to stick together to stop these charlatans driving down rates for everyone.
I think I will start a separate thread named Govradio to alert people to them and to name n shame too.
best,Ruth
well i did try to start a thread about Govradio but I think VoicesPro has boycotted it as it has not appeared.
why so VP. There was nothing 'libelous' in it. it was just to alert people to really bad wages
Ruth
Thank you VP for removing the current Govradio jobs to the opportunities section.
I am still in dialogue with them about their rates and hopefully they will up them.
well done ruth, i notice tonight . all of their ads for "jobs" are now in the non paid section....the dustbin would be better, but now i'm just being peter cook bitchy!!...well done ruth...it pays to stand up for yourself,and if we all do it...the standards on both sides, ours and theirs.....stay high.
best wishes
jon
Thanks Jon.
when those latest jobs appeared I sent my contact another mail basically saying that by paying such low rates they will end up with amateurs and ultimately they will end up losing money over it.
was suprised and gratified to see VP move the jobs to unpaid. its good because less people will now considering doing it.
we really need to end the' will do anything' culture that pervades both the VO industry and the acting industry
Best;
Ruth
9 years ago
14
You must login as a candidate to participate in the forum.
Please note:Messages written in the forum do not represent the views of The Mandy Network, nor have they been vetted by The Mandy Network staff.
If you read something which you believe to be offensive or defamatory, please contact us and we will take the appropriate action.
