French voice over rates

French voice over rate sheet

This page presents the rates I offer as a French voice actor, the different pricing scales applied, and what is included in these rates.

I work in French (from France), my mother tongue, and being bilingual I also record voice overs in English with French accent - voice over rates are the same for both languages.

You would like a customised quote? No problem, just get in touch!

Why is there such a disparity between the rates of different French voice actors ?

Voice over rates vary widely. A full-time professional French voice actor will offer you higher rates than an amateur who does it as a hobby. Expect different results! Fortunately, your ears - and those of your clients and audience - will easily tell the difference between the two.
We all know that voice over is an investment, not an expense. If you employ voice talent for projects you're working on for your clients, investing in a competent and talented professional voice talent will ensure you deliver high-quality work with added value - and that your clients will return with other projects. You can see an overview of my portfolio on this website of course, and also on my Youtube voice over channel.

Rates always depend on a number of factors

  • the type of work (TV spot and sponsorship bumpers, corporate film, web promo, network imaging, video game, documentary, cartoon, audiobook, museum audio guide, etc.)
  • usage of recording depending on type of workvoice over rates

The units used to calculate these rates also vary according to the type of work:

  • basic session fee (BSF): hourly rate that applies to any recording done in post-production studio or in my own recording studio with remote live monitoring (generally applicable to sessions for TV & web spots or billboards)
  • usage fee - they apply to all publicly broadcasted recordings (so excluding strictly internal communications). For France, they are usually calculated as a percentage of the session rate, depending on the type of broadcast medias, the duration of the broadcast and the territories covered.
  • rate per word or per finished minute for industrial films with internal use, internal e-learning, audiobooks (finished minute = 150 words on average)
  • set rate for corporate films, explainers and web promos
  • custom rates for other projects

PLEASE NOTE: ALL MY RATES ARE INCLUSIVE OF TAXES
My rates are negotiable depending on volume and, where applicable, on recurrence. They are non-binding and provided for reference only.

Basic Studio Fee (BSF - hourly rate) €300 - over 1 hour: increments of 1/2 hr (an hour is usually sufficient for 1 spot)

Usage fee: calculated as a percentage of the BSF, billable in addition to the session fee. This reference grid is a UK-based rate card, established in collaboration with Equity (the actors’ union), and covers international usage rights.
(click on the preview below to view or download the document)

usefee.tv international usage rates guide

Example: 1 year broadcast, mainland France, national TV channels: 500%, i.e. €1,500

PLEASE NOTE: the duration of a spot or the number of words doesn't matter for the calculation of the usage fee.
The rate is degressive depending on the duration of the campaign, the type of media and the territories targeted

Main usage fees applicable in addition to the session fee (calculated as a percentage of the BSF)

  • TV usage fee for mainland France, 1 year: 500% BSF, i.e. €1,500 (add 100%, i.e. €300, to include France overseas territories)
  • TV usage fee France Regional: 200% BSF, i.e. €600
  • Cinema usage fee for mainland France, 1 year: 500% BSF, i.e. €1,500 (add 100%, i.e. €300, to include France overseas territories)
  • Internet - not-paid-for web usage, also known as organic usage (no media buying):
    Client website, Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Linkedin accounts, Youtube/Vimeo client channels: from 50% to 200% of rights) depending on the size of the advertiser (low bracket for small structures, specialised sectors with a limited audience).
  • Internet usage including previous PLUS social media sponsored ads:
    Sponsored ads on social media. geotargeting France, 1 year PLUS organic web usage: 450% BSF i.e. €1350
  • YouTube preroll, geotargeting France, 1 year: 300% BSF i.e. €900

Discount for 'bulk purchase' (example: TV + cinema + internet): please contact me.
For coverage of territories not mentioned (e.g. Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec, French-speaking Africa, etc.): please contact me.

Session: 300 euros (1 hour is usually sufficient for 1 spot)
Usage fee: (also known as neighbouring rights): calculated as a percentage of the session fee, applied in addition to the session fee.

PLEASE NOTE: the duration of a spot or the number of words doesn't matter for the calculation of the usage fee.

  • Internet - not-paid-for web usage, also known as organic usage (no media buying):
    Client website, Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Linkedin/TikTok accounts, Youtube/Vimeo customer channels: from €450 (BSF plus 50% BSF in usage fee) to €900 (BSF plus 200% BSF in usage fee).
  • Internet usage including previous PLUS social media sponsored ads:
    - Geotargeting France, from €900 (BSF plus 200% BSF usage fee) to €1650 (BSF plus 450% BSF usage fee) depending on reach of advertiser
  • Usage YouTube preroll, geotargeting France, 1 year: 300% BSF i.e. €900

Rates vary according to the scope of the advertiser - low band for small structures, specialised sectors with a limited audience

850 euros

200 euros

- Rates based on volume and recurrence - please contact me.

Session: scale depending on the duration of the booking

1000 euros

425 euros

Strictly internal, with no web or offline distribution, no exhibition/trade show presentation, etc. - such as raising safety awareness in a factory, a film explaining a product's manufacturing processes to potential customers, shown at meetings or on the intranet, etc.
300 euros / 1000 words, decreasing scale (minimum: €300)

300 euros / 1000 words, decreasing scale (minimum: €300)

To be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, rate depending on volume and recurrence - please contact me

30 euros per prompt. Minimum: 200 euros

Session: 200 euros / hr
Decreasing scale according to the duration of the booking

These voice over rates include:

  • script preparation
  • voice actors
  • removal of bad takes), complete file cleaning
  • sync to pictures (if film supplied)
  • playback & quality control
  • WeTransfer the recording in the format of your choice. If none is specified, the voice over industry-standard format WAV mono 24-bit / 48000 Hz (24/48) will be sent
  • retakes (if these are the result of an error on my part)

These voice over rates do not include:

  • mix with music and SFX (on request)
  • cutting and file naming for more than 20 files (€1/file)

NOTES

  • The scripts provided to me must be the final version, validated by the Client. This prevents the need for a new session, saving you time and money. In the event of script changes after recording, pickups will be charged based on their quantity (minimum 100 euros).

IMPORTANT: If working to picture, please provide the film in .mov format if possible – no need to send a heavy 4K file, 640 x 480 is more than enough as a working copy.