May 26, 2026

Rates and Contracts (VCC Ep 45)

20 minutes

Episode Summary

In this episode, Kelly and Kathryn tackle one of the most critical — and often overlooked — aspects of a voice acting career: understanding contracts and rates. They break down the difference between session fees and usage, explain how to determine fair rates for different media types, walk through what every contract should include, and flag the warning signs that could cost you dearly. They also address the growing importance of AI voice protections and how to safeguard your voice in the current landscape.

Topics Covered

Session Fee vs. Usage Fee — Why you should only count on the session fee until the spot actually airs

What Determines Your Rate — Why per-word/per-minute pricing is misleading, and how media type (TV, cable, national, streaming, digital, radio) drives the real rate

The GVAA Rate Guide — How to use it as a baseline and negotiation tool

Contracts 101 — What should always be spelled out: session length, usage, term length, exclusivity, and renewals

In Perpetuity Clauses — When to avoid them and when they may be acceptable

"All Media" Language — Why vague bundling of rights hurts voice actors and how to push back

Image & Likeness Clauses — Why these often don't belong in voiceover contracts

AI & Voice Replication — How to spot dangerous contract language and how to protect yourself

The NAVA AI Rider — A free, downloadable resource for all voice actors

The No Fakes Act — Why this legislation matters for everyone, not just voice actors

Red Flags to Watch For — Rushed signings, overly broad language, suspiciously high buyouts, and more

Advocacy & Negotiation — Why asking questions is your right, and how to push for specificity in every contract

Resources Mentioned

GVAA Rate Guide — gvaa.us/rate-guide — Industry-standard rate ranges for all voiceover categories

NAVA (National Association of Voice Actors) — navavoices.org — Includes a free AI Rider available in English and Spanish

The No Fakes Act — Federal legislation advocating for voice and likeness protections; contact your representatives to show support

Key Takeaways

Never expect to be paid the full session + usage amount until the project airs and is confirmed.

The type and breadth of media use — not word count or minute length — determines your rate.

Use the GVAA Rate Guide as a baseline, not a rule book. Negotiate from there.

Every contract should clearly define: session length, usage, term, exclusivity, and renewal terms.

Avoid "in perpetuity" clauses on commercial work unless AI protections are signed off on.

Push back on "all media" language — make clients specify exactly what they need.

Add the NAVA AI Rider to any project involving voice recordings.

Asking questions is not confrontation — it's good business.

Booking the job is step one. Protecting your voice is step two.

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