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VOICE OVER TODAY – March 5, 2002

Published by EDGE STUDIO
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THIS ISSUE INCLUDES:

1.)... TAXES…can you deduct training and marketing?
2.)... ARTICULATION…how clear must you be?

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1.) TAXES…CAN YOU DEDUCT TRAINING AND MARKETING?

It’s tax time again. And in case you were wondering if you can deduct voice-over Training and Marketing expenses, we asked the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and an accountant to give us a sound report.

BY SPEAKING ABOUT DIFFERENT BUSINESS TYPES, this article will help you decide how you can deduct business expenses against your income. Please read the disclaimer at the end of this article.

This article will address two points:
* Which voice-over expenses can you deduct?
* Should you incorporate yourself?

What is the right entity for my voice-over business and what about taxes?

Generally, a voice over artist can conduct his or her business in one of three ways:
• As a sole proprietorship
• As a limited liability company (LLC)
• As an S corporation
There is also a forth option- The regular C corporation which is a separate tax paying entity, where the shareholder (you) also pay tax on earnings when distributed (pay tax twice on the same net income).

The sole proprietorship has the virtue that it is simple to form and that its income is taxed once at the owners individual tax rate. Gross profit (or loss) for the year is reported on Schedule C (or schedule C-EZ if certain tests are met) of your Form 1040 and becomes part of your adjusted gross income.

Profit (or loss) is calculated by deducting all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred by your business from the income that you have received (reported on Form 1099 in box 7 as non-employee compensations) for your voice over jobs.

(A word about ordinary and necessary expenses - at the start of your voice over career, the largest single expense you probably will incur is the production of your demo, that should be deductible on Schedule C as promotional or marketing/advertising expense.

Of course, other expenses such as telephone, postage, professional publications, travel and printing of business cards are also deductible. Office space used primarily for your marketing endeavors may be deductible (for example, if your computer desk takes up 10% of your home, then 10% of your rent/mortgage may be deductible).

Items not used exclusively for your career are generally not deductible - such as nice clothing used to impress new clients, and a brand new stereo system used to listen to your demos.

You will, in addition to owing income tax, usually be liable for self-employment tax and will have to make quarterly estimated tax payments as well. The sole proprietorship is not a separate legal or taxable entity from its owner, does not require a separate transfer of assets and does not limit your personal liability for the debts of the business- your individual assets remain at risk.

An LLC is formed under the applicable state’s limited liability company statute. A one owner LLC is generally taxed as a sole proprietorship. Although the tax consequences of a single-member LLC and sole proprietorship are the same, an LLC provides its owner liability protection not available to a sole proprietorship – your assets are not at risk.

An S corporation is a business entity whose income is taxed at only the individual level and has the same advantage of limited liability as a shareholder in a regular or C corporation. Unlike an LLC there are restrictions on an S corporation’s capital structure and on who may be a member. An S corporation’s income, gain, loss and deductions pass through to its shareholders and are reported on individual tax returns.

Important information:

If you are not incorporated, and earned $600 or more from an employer, that employer must send you a 1099misc form by January 31st. If you should have received one, but did not, call that employer. Note that the employer should send a copy of the form to the IRS.

Taxes must be mailed out on or before April 15, 2002.

IRS tax help-line = 800-829-1040

IRS tax forms and distribution center = 800-829-3676

IRS on-line tax order form = http://www.irs.gov

disclaimer:
This article is intended to provide general guidelines on matters of interest to voice over artists. The application and impact of tax laws can be very complex and vary widely from case to case. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice concerning specific matters before making any decisions. The author and publisher disclaim any responsibility for positions taken by taxpayers in their individual situations. This article was written February, 2000.

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Meet and mingle with audio publishers, librarians, narrators, producers,
directors and industry professionals.

May 2, 2002: Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York City

Return to New York: Information from the heart of the industry for
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APAC Special Events:
*New this year! Audio Publishing 101 – Voice talent, producers and engineers
often ask us how to get started in the audiobook industry. Here are the
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*Luncheon Keynote Speaker: Seth Godin, author of Unleashing the Ideavirus
*2nd Annual Audiobook Heroes Awards
*Special presentations on developments in the automotive and consumer
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*Evening Cocktail party
*Full day of vendor exhibits.

You can not afford to miss this! Register by March 25, 2002 for Early Bird
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Sign-up information and a complete schedule are available on our website
www.audiopub.org or Call: 310-372-0546

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2.) ARTICUALTION..HOW CLEAR MUST YOU BE?

Mumbling… It's a popular form of speech, in fact preferred on certain words, that must be controlled to deliver voice-over copy. In this article, you'll learn when to mumble, where not to mumble, and how to control it.

Every natural conversation has a differently accepted, colloquial way of speaking - and because of it, we sound credible. In other words, depending upon the type of natural conversational, we adjust our colloquial way of speaking - sometimes we speak formally (enunciate words clearly) - and other times we speak informally (mumble).

The voice-over artist's job is to determine how formally or informally the script should be pronounced, and then deliver the script accordingly. If any words are over-enunciated or too mumbled, the listener will find the recording unlikable.

So pronounce words as they are spoken in genuine conversation, and then tailor the sound to match the formality of the script.

For example, the word "mountain" is pronounced without the "t" in most forms of standard English. Certain regionalisms, however, pronounce the "t," such as in Midwest and British English. Therefore, both pronunciations of "mountain" are colloquially correct.

So how do you know when, or which way to pronounce it? Well, if you're reading an informal commercial, such as:

"Up here in the mountains, we love Coors Beer." the "t" should not be pronounced.

Yet if reading a formal documentary, such as:

"The Clifford Mountain range stands over 4,700 feet high." then the "t' should be pronounced.

So now comes the difficult part - controlling your voice. And the most difficult part is finding the 'fine-line' between mumbling and over-articulating…without sounding affected.

In other words, when most people concentrate on articulation more clearly than their natural speech, they sound affected, constricted, and too deliberate - and that is a turn-off for producers.

It's easy to learn how to do this. To begin, listen carefully to professional voice-overs - take note when they're mumbling (it's difficult to notice, as this sounds natural and therefore doesn't stand out). Also take note when they're articulating clearly…without sounding affected.

Then, do articulation exercises. Practice reading aloud, while simultaneously feeling your mouth form the sounds that you're speaking. In other words, physically feel your mouth make the different sounds of each word. At first, you'll sound affected - but given a little practice, you'll be able to do this reflexively - and then it will sound conversational.

Begin with formal scripts, such as:

In this AT&T new employee training video, we'll discuss the Technical Service Center, and how advanced technology provides quality service. Our patented, highly sophisticated EXPERT System is an application of artificial intelligence that can diagnose troubles and recommend solutions, based on historical maintenance data. This set of software programs can identify a problem and, whenever possible, remotely clear the alarm. If dispatch of a technician is required, all the information from the EXPERT System is available, so that the right technician with the right training and the right parts is dispatched. The trouble can then be repaired on the first visit, minimizing any disruption to your system.

Then move to difficult tongue twisters:

Which wrist watches are Swiss wrist watches.

In summary, your goal is to be able to read colloquially or formally…on command…without sounding affected. Good luck. Please call with any additional questions - 888-321-edge

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The 2002 edition of the Audiobook Reference Guide, from the publisher of AudioFile magazine is worth checking out. This comprehensive sourcebook to the audiobook industry, the guide provides contact information for 600 audiobook publishers, wholesale and retail distributors, creative, manufacturing and support services.

Check out the new section on Voice Talent--and sign up for YOUR listing in the 2002 Edition.

Call 800-506-1212 or visit www.audiofilemagazine.com to order your copy now. Just $24.00 (inc. s/h). For info on the Voice Talent listings email jennifer@audiofilemagazine.com.

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ACTORS and VOICE ARTISTS

Here’s something for your resume: Work with the Sam Chwat, dialect coach for Robert Deniro, Willem Dafoe, Marcia Gaye Harden, Julia Roberts, Andie Macdowell, Jude Law, Kathleen Turner, Isabella Rossellini, Tony Danza, Jon Bon Jovi, Patrick Stewart, John Leguizamo, Roberto Benigni, James Gandolfini, and many other performers.

Accent Elimination Workshop

Ever lose a job because of an accent? Then learn Standard American English:
Thursday March 21, 7pm-9pm
$79 - gain one job and it's paid off

Accent Acquisition Class

Here’s a class sure to improve your resume:
Learn 6 accents in 6 Saturday classes in April and May
$300 - very limited seating

INTERESTED?

Call 212-868-3343 to join
Sponsored by Edge Studio/Voice Designs
www.edgestudio.com Member Better Business Bureau

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HAVE A DEMO? We're always searching for new talent. Please mail us your CD demo to: Edge Studio, 251 West 30th Street, suite 9-fm. NY, NY 10001 USA
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Voice Over Today is an Edge Studio publication
- advancing voice-over careers since 1988 -
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888-321-edge

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