Those keeping up on Grand Theft Auto IV (that's all of you, right?) will remember that a few weeks ago Michael Hollick, best known as the voice of Niko Bellic in GTAIV, was covered by the New York Times in an article pointing out that the actor will receive no residuals or royalties of any kind for his performance. It's important to note that he doesn't point the finger at Rockstar but rather the Screen Actors Guild, which does not have specific rules regarding electronic performances.
While Hollick may have landed the New York Times, Jason Zumwalt, the voice of Niko's cousin Roman, has turned to YouTube. Where it could be argued that Hollick's approach to the matter had a certain degree of tact, Zumwalt's approach is a bit ... different. Essentially, he's asking gamers to "Rent Roman." It's all a little hard to explain. Maybe you should just watch the video. Find it after the break (NSFW thanks to some salty language).
Maybe I'm just out of the loop on this, but aren't the voice actors on these games unionized? If so, while a union member may ultimately share some responsibility in what he gets paid, the real issue is the union's responsibility to stand up for these guys. I can definitely seeing crap like this boil over to a strike similar to the WGA's recent strike.
All that being said, it's the creative folks and the programmers that need to be making the dough on these things. Until they are making what they should, I'm not sure these voice actors should be making anything more than they already are.
The injustice here is that BIG NAME actors who do a voice-over gig get WAYYYYY more than these guys. A good chunk of the budget on Oblivion was for Patrick Stewart's paycheck, and he did what? Ten minutes' worth of vocal work? They could have used that big wad of cash to pay for a bunch of unknown voice-actors (and then everyone in Oblivion wouldn't sound identical) but nope-- Stewart got the big payday here.
That's why the folks at Rockstar were smart with GTA IV. They didn't NEED a big name to sell the game, and they didn't try to wedge Keanu Reeves or James Earl Jones in there at the cost of other development dollars.
But if someone gets residuals for a Geico commercial or announcing "COME ON DOWN!" on The Price Is Right, then video game actors should get a little of the backend of game sales. Not much-- Just a few cents per sale-- and it would make a huge difference without hurting the company's bottom line very much.
Can you guys rent him for the fancast? Just to chime in randomly with random lines from GTA? Then, when addressing each one of you, he would always end with "my cousin". For example, "Reeechard, my cousin!".
I am so renting this guy this week if possible im calling the number now.Im gonna make him clean the shit stains from toilet 4 real and do beer runs while i drink the beer in front of him.
It's not pathetic. This game is gonna make billions. These guys should get more BUT,,,. they should have negotiated better contracts. But lets be honest they did use Ray Liotta in Vice City. Maybe that left a bad taste in their mouth. I dunno. At this point R* is in the drivers seat. Using no-name voice actors doesn't really matter to them. THere is always some desperate "good" voice actor ready to sell their soul. So this will probably never change.
Gotta love the comment system. That reply was for UNSCleric.
These guys are pathetic. It's called business, either get your own degree or hire someone to represent you. With all this whining, were I R*, I'd make damn sure I hired unknowns forever, or do it in house.
LMAO. That was good! Obviously he's just trying to get his name out there for some more gigs, but IMO he did a pretty good job. Props to him for using Youtube as the medium.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-27-2008 @ 1:50PM
Neuromancer said...
I can't feel too bad for these guys, sure we all want to make more money but a contract is a contract.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 3:05PM
Trekster_Gamer said...
Agreed!
5-27-2008 @ 5:00PM
Jomolungma said...
Maybe I'm just out of the loop on this, but aren't the voice actors on these games unionized? If so, while a union member may ultimately share some responsibility in what he gets paid, the real issue is the union's responsibility to stand up for these guys. I can definitely seeing crap like this boil over to a strike similar to the WGA's recent strike.
All that being said, it's the creative folks and the programmers that need to be making the dough on these things. Until they are making what they should, I'm not sure these voice actors should be making anything more than they already are.
5-27-2008 @ 8:14PM
ZeroCorpse said...
The injustice here is that BIG NAME actors who do a voice-over gig get WAYYYYY more than these guys. A good chunk of the budget on Oblivion was for Patrick Stewart's paycheck, and he did what? Ten minutes' worth of vocal work? They could have used that big wad of cash to pay for a bunch of unknown voice-actors (and then everyone in Oblivion wouldn't sound identical) but nope-- Stewart got the big payday here.
That's why the folks at Rockstar were smart with GTA IV. They didn't NEED a big name to sell the game, and they didn't try to wedge Keanu Reeves or James Earl Jones in there at the cost of other development dollars.
But if someone gets residuals for a Geico commercial or announcing "COME ON DOWN!" on The Price Is Right, then video game actors should get a little of the backend of game sales. Not much-- Just a few cents per sale-- and it would make a huge difference without hurting the company's bottom line very much.
5-27-2008 @ 1:52PM
ZEBRA NINER said...
Can you guys rent him for the fancast? Just to chime in randomly with random lines from GTA? Then, when addressing each one of you, he would always end with "my cousin". For example, "Reeechard, my cousin!".
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:45PM
Knight Marquise said...
NO..NO...NO..
I want to hear about those "American Teeties" :)
5-27-2008 @ 2:59PM
Adam B said...
YES! That would be amazing!
5-27-2008 @ 1:54PM
Jonah Falcon said...
As a SAG actor, I can tell you that electronic rights are a major issue in the union.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 1:55PM
SmokestormX said...
I saw this over a week ago, prehaps i should of sent in a tip.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:01PM
Link408 said...
wow, i saw this a long while ago
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:11PM
Gemini Ace said...
Next time negotiate a better contract, dumbass.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:12PM
Sunny said...
It's a joke. Get over it.
5-27-2008 @ 2:12PM
Sunny said...
Yeah, not to be one of "those" guys that points this out but this has been floating around for about a month now...
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:17PM
adam said...
I am so renting this guy this week if possible im calling the number now.Im gonna make him clean the shit stains from toilet 4 real and do beer runs while i drink the beer in front of him.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:37PM
UNSCleric said...
This is pathetic, so is Niko's voice guy.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:48PM
Juice said...
It's not pathetic. This game is gonna make billions. These guys should get more BUT,,,. they should have negotiated better contracts. But lets be honest they did use Ray Liotta in Vice City. Maybe that left a bad taste in their mouth. I dunno. At this point R* is in the drivers seat. Using no-name voice actors doesn't really matter to them. THere is always some desperate "good" voice actor ready to sell their soul. So this will probably never change.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:49PM
mcwattersm said...
Guys, the video isn't serious... you guys need to get out more.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:52PM
Knight Marquise said...
100% Agreement.
Reply
5-27-2008 @ 2:59PM
Knight Marquise said...
Gotta love the comment system. That reply was for UNSCleric.
These guys are pathetic. It's called business, either get your own degree or hire someone to represent you. With all this whining, were I R*, I'd make damn sure I hired unknowns forever, or do it in house.
5-27-2008 @ 3:22PM
Critter3 said...
LMAO. That was good! Obviously he's just trying to get his name out there for some more gigs, but IMO he did a pretty good job. Props to him for using Youtube as the medium.
Reply