Ep 38 VO Trends In 2026

Rates and Contracts (VCC Ep 45)

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 [https://www.gvaa.us/rate-guide] — Industry-standard rate ranges for all voiceover categories * NAVA (National Association of Voice Actors) — navavoices.org [https://www.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 1. Never expect to be paid the full session + usage amount until the project airs and is confirmed. 2. The type and breadth of media use — not word count or minute length — determines your rate. 3. Use the GVAA Rate Guide as a baseline, not a rule book. Negotiate from there. 4. Every contract should clearly define: session length, usage, term, exclusivity, and renewal terms. 5. Avoid "in perpetuity" clauses on commercial work unless AI protections are signed off on. 6. Push back on "all media" language — make clients specify exactly what they need. 7. Add the NAVA AI Rider to any project involving voice recordings. 8. Asking questions is not confrontation — it's good business. 9. Booking the job is step one. Protecting your voice is step two. Connect with The Voicecaster Follow @TheVoicecaster on social media | New episodes every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month

Casting Wants You to Win (VCC Ep 44)

Voice Over Casting Corner – Episode 44: Casting Wants You to Win In this episode, Kelly Moscinski and Kathryn Horan from The Voicecaster tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in the voiceover world: that casting directors are working against you. Spoiler — they're not. They're rooting for you every time they open your audition. What we cover: * The "us vs. them" myth – Why actors feel like casting is against them, and why that couldn't be further from the truth * Silence isn't rejection – With 500–1,000 submissions per project, why casting can't respond to every audition — and what that silence actually means * When you win, we win – How booking actors makes casting directors look good to their clients, creating a true win-win relationship * The long game – Why casting and agents keep submitting actors who haven't booked in a year or more, and why consistency matters more than individual bookings * Submit and release – The mindset shift that can transform how you approach every audition * Auditions as opportunities – Reframing the competitive mindset into one of possibility Key takeaways: * Not booking doesn't mean anyone disliked your audition — it just means you weren't the right fit for that specific project * Clients do remember voices they've loved over years, and that persistence pays off * Consistency is what casting directors notice and remember most * Focus on your connection to the script, trust your instincts, and let go of expectations for feedback About The Voicecaster: The country's first and oldest voiceover casting house, established in 1975. Casting thousands of voices every year across all genres. Stay connected: * Subscribe so you never miss an episode (new episodes every 2nd and 4th Tuesday) * Follow @TheVoicecaster on social media * Check out past episodes, workshops, seminars, and the Insiders Membership

Auditioning - VCC Ep 41

In this episode of Voiceover Casting Corner, we tackle the myth that more auditions automatically lead to more bookings. In reality, casting isn’t about quantity, it’s about fit. Are you right for the specs? Do you match what the project needs? And just as important, are the rates and terms worth your time as a professional voice actor?

How YOUR Branding Speaks Before You Do - VCC Ep 40

Episode 40 of "Voiceover Casting Corner" brings Kelly and Kathryn back to talk about branding and why it’s so much more than a pretty website or hex codes. From the casting side, branding is about clarity, consistency, and the emotional imprint you leave in an audition. It’s how you show up, what you’re known for, and the patterns we start to recognize in your work. If you’ve been trying to “look” branded instead of be branded, this conversation will shift your perspective and help you own what already makes you stand out.

Ep 39 How Casting Creates The Shortlist

Discover how casting directors narrow down hundreds of auditions to create the shortlist, what they're really listening for in your performance, and why professionalism and kindness matter just as much as talent in the voice-over industry.