Good morning! I’ve got to hit the road so I can start narrating “MultiReal” so I’ll be quick…
I started a thread on a VO forum asking for people’s opinions about the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX). That’s where I landed the 30 Rock, BSG, and Glenn Beck gigs. I have earned stipends and royalty-share from those and other ACX titles. The site keeps extending it’s stipend incentives and it makes me wonder if it’s part of a long-term plan or if it’s reacting to negative trends. There were some thoughtful responses by people who have used ACX and provided some wonderful insights.
Some folks have a problem with ACX as well as “Pay to Play” sites like Voice123 and Voices.com. That’s cool. And of course those who have philosophical issues with royalty-share and P2P sites voice their concerns and that’s fine, too. What’s been buggin’ me lately is that every single freakin’ week a new thread pops up on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other sites where the whole darn argument blossoms anew. I feel dumb for giving the argument another chance to rear its head. Oops!
I believe that there nothing inherently wrong with ACX and P2P sites. It’s the dumb-ass, unprofessional low-baller producers and bottom-feeding talent that are the problem and they will ALWAYS be there. Many professionals use said sites properly and in the spirit they are intended. I’ve been using them for years and have landed many gigs & long-term clients, earning rates that are commensurate with the industry standard.
Any business model that you put out there is going to be misused by a bunch of non-contributing zeros, no matter how well you set it up!
And for the record, I know that this blog entry is only continuing the conversation I’m tired of hearing. I just needed to speak my peace!
TIP OF THE WEEK: as with any business model, use it “right”. And don’t tell me you don’t know what that means!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. Mark Twain
STUFF!: “Pirate Radio”! I’ve never watched a film that had no story but was so much fun to watch! About halfway though I realized that basically nothing happened in the film but I had this big dumb smile on my face anyway.
From Tom Dheere’s apartment this is Tom Dheere, GKN News…