Mystery actor scores $500K for game voice-over
For a time, indescribably horrific voice acting was a hallmark of video games. However, with the game industry now pulling in nearly $18 billion a year in the US alone, publishers and developers have had an easier time justifying the expenditure of a little bit extra to secure quality voice actors...
For a time, indescribably horrific voice acting was a hallmark of video games. However, with the game industry now pulling in nearly $18 billion a year in the US alone, publishers and developers have had an easier time justifying the expenditure of a little bit extra to secure quality voice actors who can deliver more than just leaden lines. Recent years have seen such renowned actors as Sir Ian McKellen, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Ron Perlman, Keith David, Lance Henriksen, Ray Liotta, Samuel L. Jackson, Chow Yun-Fat, and others deliver top-notch vocal performances.
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So how much are these actors being paid to lend their real-world pipes to virtual heroes? According to Screen Actors Guild rules, voice actors can expect to be compensated $760 for one four-hour recording session, reports the Reuters news service. For celebrity voice talent, though, that number can spike exponentially. Speaking to Reuters, Blindlight production company general manager Lev Chapelsky said that some stars have demanded $750,000 for an hour's worth of work, and one voice actor actually received $500,000 for a single session. Chapelsky told Reuters that top talent commonly receives "in the high five figures for a single session."
"It has been a problem lately," Chapelsky continued. "Agents are under the misconception that there's a ton of money to be had for their clients. In a game, the entertainment is about the gameplay. The actor's contribution isn't as important as the gameplay."
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