Posts: 2703
Registered: 2003-7-26 Location: Burlington, ON Member is offline
Currently listening to: Dredg & God Is An Astronaut
posted on 2004-4-2 at 22:54
The Simpsons voice talent on strike
I just read that all the simpsons voice actors have gone on strike and haven't shown up for their last two recrding sessions.
It all has to do with the fact that they don't agree with their new contracts. They are currently paid $150 000 (US) to record each episode.
Before '98 they were paid significantly less. They are asking for more money again...alot more. They want $350 000 an episode now. Keep in mind,
and this is the big thing, it only takes around 6 hours for them to record their voices and they only have to do it 22 times a year. That would mean
they would make around 8 million dollars for 132 hours of work, or basically a month's work for the average human being. The Simpsons is working
on their 16th season and it sounds like we are in for a few more...plus a movie that is supposed to be in works.
Apparently, Fox has hired casting agents to possibly find new talent. I think this is just a way to try and scare the cast.
I haven't really decided what I think about all of this. Any thoughts you guys have?
Posts: 5004
Registered: 2003-5-13 Location: 'Sauga Member is offline
Currently listening to: circuit!
posted on 2004-4-2 at 23:00
I don't think new voice actors are a good idea at all..we've grown up with a certain voice to each character, it'd be hard to get
used to new ones.
you won't let me down...
armour_guitarist
Oh Dear
Posts: 3261
Registered: 2003-9-10 Location: Brooklyn Member is offline
Currently listening to: New Livid?!? Wha??????
posted on 2004-4-2 at 23:03
well if they got new ones, i bet they would just do their best to imitate the old ones, so it wouldn't be like a complete change. it would still
be a little strange though.
Some things take more than a lifetime.
SideO_JR
Oh Dear
Posts: 2324
Registered: 2003-8-25 Location: Alberta...... Member is offline
Currently listening to:
posted on 2004-4-2 at 23:08
thats 60 000$ an hour
*Jaw drops*
How do you communicate those emotions that are so intense that no physical expression or series of words can even scratch the surface?
Sin Ogaris
Über Poster
Posts: 1557
Registered: 2003-5-13 Location: Australia Member is offline
Currently listening to: Coheed and Cambria
posted on 2004-4-2 at 23:28
Fox won't replace cast members, those voices are too damn important, I mean could you imagine if Harry Shearer or Hank Azaria left? They'd
lose 90% of their voices. I believe they deserve a price hike, I mean sure, they don't work as much as say an actor on a show but if you
consider Jerry Seinfeld was offered 10 million an episode to continue Seinfeld, and the Friends starts were earning over a million an episode. I think
that a cast that has been with the show for 16 years are entitled to something more than 150k.
Reivax
Custon Status
Posts: 2703
Registered: 2003-7-26 Location: Burlington, ON Member is offline
Currently listening to: Dredg & God Is An Astronaut
posted on 2004-4-3 at 07:29
Exactly. I agree 100% with you sin. Voice talent gets treated like shit normally. It's about time that some of them get the type of money that
most TV stars get.
Posts: 407
Registered: 2003-4-20 Location: Arkansas Member is offline
Currently listening to: A Change Of Pace
posted on 2004-4-3 at 07:43
IMO, they make more damn money than they can spend already, why do they need more money. I need more money, give me 150k a year and I'd be the
happiest guy on earth. And I'll do more than talk into a mic for 132 hours, I'll even mow your grass and wash your car(s).
"What are you doing?" >.>
Reivax
Custon Status
Posts: 2703
Registered: 2003-7-26 Location: Burlington, ON Member is offline
Currently listening to: Dredg & God Is An Astronaut
posted on 2004-4-3 at 08:13
I see your point adidas, but that's just the way it is. Everyone that is in the entertainment industry, whether it be sports, acting or
musician, makes more money than they deserve. There is nothing that can be done about that. But voice acting is a talent that isn't very
lucrative. Most of them get treated like dirt because they aren't a recognizable face. If they become a problem, you can replace them. In the
Simpsons case, it's different because everyone knows the voices very well and will be able to notice a sound-alike. It's one of the rare
instances where voice talent can get away with asking for demands. If other people on TV can make a disgusting amount of money, they should too.
Posts: 813
Registered: 2003-5-21 Location: Bdot Member is offline
Currently listening to: Westpoint
posted on 2004-4-3 at 15:42
I guess the issue for them may not be how much money they themselves are making, but how much FOX is making. They realize that FOX is raking it in for
all of their work, and they want a piece of it. Like you guys have said, there wouldn't be much of a show without them. Although I could be way
off.
www.sluggy.com
Pure_Ibanez_Sound
Oh Dear
Posts: 2544
Registered: 2003-5-25 Location: Missisauga, ON Member is offline
Currently listening to: Angels and Airwaves- The Adventure
posted on 2004-4-3 at 16:59
Show a little remorse for these guys people! They only make $60,000 an hour. Geese, what does one have to do to make a decent living around here?????
one last show.
Eric
Senior Member
Posts: 426
Registered: 2004-3-5 Location: Mississauga Member is offline
Currently listening to: Owen
posted on 2004-4-3 at 17:31
I know man i think they are paid enough. I mean al they do is learn a couple lines and talk into a mic for 6 hours. I dont think they should be paided
anymore then they are now.
Posts: 129
Registered: 2003-5-5 Location: Hamilton ON Member is offline
Currently listening to: S.T.S.
posted on 2005-2-16 at 18:07
did you guys know that Harry Shearer, who does the voices for Rev. Lovejoy, Smithers, Mr Burns, Principal Skinner, was/is the bassist in the movie
Spinal Tap? awesome huh?
if you havent seen it, rent it, its the BEST rock movie ever! peace
Reivax
Custon Status
Posts: 2703
Registered: 2003-7-26 Location: Burlington, ON Member is offline
Currently listening to: Dredg & God Is An Astronaut
posted on 2005-2-16 at 18:15
Yes, I did know that. Great movie. He also did the voice, in the episode with Spinal Tap.
