It’s always exciting when we book an amazing gig and we can’t wait to share the news with everyone. It’s tempting to want to shout our accomplishments from our Instagram accounts or share a video of our voice on TikTok, as we jump through all kinds of impressive vocal hoops in a cartoon, or shout orders across a raging battlefield in a video game. But, if you’re new to the voice-over industry and you don’t know about Non-Disclosure Agreements (or NDAs), don’t hit that button to post your accomplishments just yet.
Shhhhh!
NDAs are very common in the world of voice-over and you definitely need to be aware of what you can or can’t talk about. In my experience, I’ve signed NDAs mostly in the areas of dubbing and video games, but that’s not to say they will or won’t exist in audiobooks, commercials, e-learning and beyond. It’s safe to assume that you can’t post or talk about a project, or even your involvement in it, until it’s released, even if you didn’t sign a non-disclosure agreement. If I’m not asked to sign anything, I always get permission from the client. I always assume, until I learn otherwise, that I can’t say a word. Not a peep. Depending on what you’re working on, breaking confidentiality can be a career-killer.
Video games are usually always highly confidential, keeping game titles, characters, storylines, and unique development details tightly under lock and key. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worked on a project and been asked what it’s called, and my response is…I don’t know. Not just because I’ve signed the NDA swearing and crossing my heart to secrecy, but because, I really don’t know. Sometimes code names are used. And there are even code names for code names. Some projects even have you sign an NDA before you audition and the audition material itself will hide any details about what the audition is for. Typically though, you’ll sign the NDA after you’re booked and when you receive the scripts or materials that you’re going to be working with. You’re now officially part of the team, and there’s nothing more exciting.
So, you’ve booked the job – yay! If you receive an NDA, or any paperwork for that matter, read it from top to bottom. Don’t just eagerly grab the pen and sign at the bottom of the page. Be business savvy and protect yourself. Know what you’re signing. If you’re emailed a document to sign, make sure to make yourself a copy and keep your agreement in a file. If you’re recording at a location and they have you sign an agreement, make sure to ask for a copy. If you have an agent, they might have you sign the paperwork for the client and return it to them, but again, make sure you have your own copy for your records. Save everything. You never know when you’ll need to go back and reference an agreement.
I’ve worked for dubbing studios on a long-term basis that had me sign an NDA to cover any and all projects dubbed for multiple clients, as well as individual NDAs for each client and each project. The one thing I learned is that signing your NDAs is linked to getting paid, so if there’s no signature, there’s no paycheck. Whenever I started dubbing a new series or telenovela and realized that I hadn’t been asked to sign an NDA for that particular project, I made it a point to go to the administration person, who usually had me sign, and point out that I hadn’t signed yet for that project. This would prevent me from looking at my check and noticing the hourly or loop pay for that project seemed to be missing.
Know that some projects, like video games, can roll on for a while. The average game can be in development and production for over two years and take as long as seven. A telenovela series can have a hundred and thirty-five episodes (if your character manages to survive that long). It’s an exciting feeling when you finally get permission to share some gameplay and character details on your social media; but until then, your confidentiality is part of the job.
Your voice-over skills, along with the ability to be a discreet and trustworthy member of the creative teams you work with, will help you to build a successful and sustained career in one of the most rewarding and entertaining industries in the world.
NDAs are a good thing. They protect the projects you’re working on, their marketing, and hopefully their success and longevity.
And, after all, the more you’re signing the more you’re working!
Robin Brooke is a voice-over actor, theatre producer, and inspirational coach based in Virginia. Connect via Instagram @babblingbrookevo
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