Are voice actors entitled to royalties?

Question

If a voice actor is hired to record a radio ad, for example, will he/she be compensated *each* time that ad airs?  Please explain the relationship between voice actors and royalties.  

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Royalties are usually only paid on union jobs (SAG-AFTRA, ACTRA, etc.).  An initial recording fee is paid and then a residual rate is established based on the medium and number of weeks the spot/show will run.  After the initial run, a renewal fee may be paid.  During the run and afterwards, for a negotiated period, the talent may be prohibited from doing recordings for a competing product in commercial work.  Union Games and Union Anime recordings do not pay residuals.

That said, most of the jobs on this site are non-union.  They will pay a flat fee and this is considered a "buy-out," meaning they own the recording to do with as they please for as long as they like.  You are not under any obligation NOT to record for a similar product, however.  The rates on the initial recording for both Union and Non-Union can be similar, so do consult a union rate-chart if you want to know what a particular recording is worth.  

Many union jobs are procured through Agents, who take 10% of the fee paid for union actors and up to 20% for non-union.  Agents may not charge up-front fees, so anyone claiming to be an agent who wishes to charge you money to take you on is scamming you.  Managers can charge up to 20% of the total fee, but are not supposed to negotiate contracts.