By Dimmachukwu Ndubuisi
If you are a practicing and active voice-over artist in Nigeria, by now, you should have come across a memorandum released by the Association of Voice Over Artists in Nigeria (AVOA). If you have not, I don’t know what to say to you.
But before I give my take on this matter, please note that I do not support the devaluation or exploitation of voice artists in any guise by clients or top agency executives across the country.
Nonetheless, I would love to view it from another perspective.
As much as I support voice-over artistes charging and receiving standard fees for their works, I think there’s still a lot of work to be done in creating a structure that not only protects voice talents but mandates clients and agency executives to adhere to stipulated guidelines.
I also think there should be repercussions for those persons, especially clients, who are seeking to take advantage of backdoor options to exploit unsuspecting talents by getting more for less.
While this may sound ideal, when you take a critical look at this, you would realize that it’s easier said than done. This is largely due to several factors:
- Level of experience/expertise: The recent growth of the industry has encouraged a lot of newbies to join the game, which is a good thing that has its downsides. While these newbies are hoping to one day be the next Femi Bakes, Remi Olutimayin, Voice of Steph, ChiomaBBB, or any other Pro in the industry, this craft takes time, money, and practice to master, which means you may not be able to attract premium clients at first and would have to settle for what you get. Even if it’s just to build your portfolio and grow your experience.
- Access to quality gadgets: Let’s be honest, how many entry-level talents can afford to get the least mic for a proper recording session? Or should we talk about XLR cables, pop filters, mic stand, headsets, and standard monitors? What about a laptop? This means the person must depend on finding a good recording studio, settle for whatever equipment is at their disposal, and find a way to pay for his or her session, hoping that their client likes their voice quality and work at that developing stage and compensates them duly. Make weno lie, e no easy.
- Access to intentional mentors and classes: now the talent wants to know better so they can do better, but we all know that learning is not cheap, and no one would want to give out for free or a ridiculous fee what took them years to hone and perfect. you see, another constraint is, “So where you think say the kind talent go see the money to pay for course? E go gats do work wey go give am the money even if e no be standard” rate”—especially if it’s someone who has decided to make Voice acting a full time job. Ehen! Before I proceed, dear growing voice artistes, say Tcode, Jamaldeen Voice or David Attah dey make am as full-time VO actor no mean say you def go just shook leg for wetin you never prepare for. “Look before you leap”.
In essence, we need more systemic mentorships, scholarships, and equipment giveaways, we just need a lot of charity to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots. Check am now…
- The current harsh state of the economy: Naija hard, no be lie, if na lie, ask that NYSC babe wey dey cry for price of egg and Uber. Whether consciously or unconsciously, our leaders have made sure that the current state of the economy frustrates you till you tap out – “na you no go just gree😩”. And for many voice artists, this means you may be forced to settle for less more often than not. Because man must chop.
There are still 5, 6, 7, 8, 8,9, and 10, but I’ll let you add them.
The reasons are numerous, but these for me are more pressing. This is why, as much as we want to maintain industry standards and evolve with global realities, we must first agree that there is a lot of work to be done. And I hope and pray that we get to the desired destination one day in Jesus name, Amen, 🔥 fire 🤣.
In the meantime, I listen, I agree, but I no fit judge. God no go shame us.
From just another Voice Artiste,
Dimmachukwu.
PS. You can share your side of the story in the comments, but kindly note that this is solely my personal opinion, and I do not in any way support devaluation and exploitation of voice talents. Daalụ!