Company policies & FAQs

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our policies, frequently asked questions, and tips. We make every effort in making sure you are 100% satisfied with your voice & audio production. A revision is a change in copy or voice talent. A re-read is the same talent re-reading the exact same script. Please review the important information below.

* Changes On Orders (bookings) after submitted Due to the high volume of bookings we receive through out the day, phone calls, etc. changes on scripts after submission is subject to additional billing.  We process all orders within 15 minutes of receiving them (during business hours).  In an effort to process and expedite each booking efficiently any changes on script/s, talent/s, or cancellations will most likely result in additional billing.  Please be sure you and your client approve all scripts before sending to us to avoid double billing. All bookings received are copied and pasted into our internal production orders for book keeping reasons and consistency for our voice talents.  Each Booking is then saved as a PDF as we are unable to make fast last minute changes. Once the voice talent acknowledges to our Client Relations associates they have received the booking (per our policy with our talents) it is considered too late and we cannot stop the order or billing. Thank you for your understanding as it is our goal to serve all of our clients as quickly as possible. 

* Description For the quickest turn around it helps when you give us an idea of read styles. For example: hard-sell, dramatic, sassy, etc. If you can, please include the specific clip you heard in the talents demo so we understand exactly what you need your v/o to sound like. If no descriptions are given at the time of booking, we will try our best to interpret the read tone you are seeking. We will not delay the deadline without copy descriptives. We will invoice all revisions if requested due to missing style descriptions from the original booking.

* Length (Commercials & narrative) We will gladly read what you send us, however, please keep in mind that it may be subject to additional billing. We do not edit or revise scripts. We read what you send us. We will gladly e-mail you if your script/s exceeds our suggested copy length (see below). Your deadline may be delayed as we will wait until we hear back from you. If you approve any "longer" copy you send us (ie. to be a :30 and it ends up being closer to a :36 due to too much copy) you will be invoiced as a :60. All commercials are billed out as UP TO :35 seconds or :36 to :65 seconds. Sorry we cannot take multiple tags or short scripts an bill as one. Narrative projects are rounded up to the next minute for billing. Keep in mind that abbreviated words or substituting them with numbers will not shorten the read. FYI, voice talents read slower than the average person. Please keep that in mind when copy-writing.

* Script Please do not abbreviate words unless you want it read as you write your copy. For example "in Msn, WI" should all be spelled out as "in Madison Wisconsin". Additional billing may be applied if we need to re-read any abbreviated words.

* Suggested Copy Length (Commercials)
Below is a guide that is recognized by several agencies and media outlets. While all voice talents are different, this guide will help you time out your copy with a comfortable read pace.

05 seconds = approximately 15 words
10 seconds = approximately 30 words
15 seconds = approximately 45 words
30 seconds = approximately 90 words
60 seconds = approximately 180 words
Phone #s 1 digit = 1 word

* Re-Reads As hard as we try to exceed your expectations, sometimes things just happen and we need to re-cut the voice / audio production application. Depending on the situation, we will gladly re-cut the exact same copy and deliver it to you ASAP without additional charges. Situations that will always receive additional billing (but not limited to) include copy change, talent change, read style change, or specific directions if description wasn't included in original booking. Please note after 10 days of receiving the project, any revisions of the exact same copy will be subject to full rate billing. Fully produced projects andnarrative reads subject to full rates for any revisions.

* Additional Reads The first read for commercials is based off of the rate on our rate card. There is a $10.00 talent fee for each additional requested read for commercials up to :35 seconds and $15.00 for commercials :36 to :65 seconds (based on each talent for each commercial on the exact same script at the time of the original booking).

* Billing No matter which talent you select, they are all the exact same price for standard reads (character reads, accent reads, and non English reads additional - see rate card). Each commercial is billed out based on # of talents selected, length, how it's aired (local, regional, national), and voice only or fully produced. If you book two talents for a dry :30 locally... you are invoiced for two talents. Sorry we cannot take multiple tags or short scripts an bill as one. Billing is based on per piece / tag / spot / talent. Unless a prior arrangement is set up, all invoices are net 30. A 25% late charge is applied to all past due balances after 60 days and will accrue each month. All invoices with a balance of $100.00 or more and past due is subject to service interruption until all past due invoices are paid in full. There is a $50.00 charge on all returned checks and a $25.00 charge for each declined credit card. Please note that World-Class Talents work off of a different rate card than the Spot Tracks Talents.

* Refunds Depending on the situation a refund may be applied.  Refunds may be in form of a credit to your account or partial refund. Your situation will be reviewed based on our policies listed here.  Be advised any PayPal / credit card refunds will not be a 100% refund as we are billed for the service and PayPal & the credit card companies keep a small percentage when we apply a refund to your credit card or PayPal account.  Planet Charley Productions, LLC may absorb the fees from PayPal or the credit card companies.  Unfortunately these fees will not be reimbursed in full to you.  Any credit card or PayPal fees are with-held from the companies and not Planet Charley Productions, LLC.We will not refund for talent change, copy changes, etc. Please review "RE-READS" and "BILLING" above. (We will determine if we will absorb any fees from PayPal or the credit card companies depending on the reason for the refund).

* Audio Duration We will keep your audio posted on your private ftp download page for 14 days. We suggest you save your audio immediately to your hard drive as we do not back up dry v/o's and will be billed again if we need to do a re-read. Please listen to your audio immediately as our talent schedules could change with short notice to us and any possible errors could result in a delay for a fix from that talent (or new billing from a different voice talent). Right Click the file and save target to your computer, Mac Users hold down the "Option" Key and click for download. Fully produced audio is automatically backed up and available at no additional charge if needed in the future.

* Read Copy When sending us your script(s) please only send us the text we need to read or a designated area in your copy clearly showing us what the read script is.  Please do not include graphic inserts, scratched out text changes, or anything else that may confuse us when processing your booking(s).  This includes copy that may run on to more than one page or text that does not fit fully inside of a box (if your production order is designed in such a way). Any questions will be e-mailed back to you and may result in a delay in turn around. We will follow up with a phone call within an hour if we do not hear from you.

* Pronunciations To help expedite the process and to be assured your voice & audio production is turned around to you promptly and within the set deadline... please include phonetics to any city, street, or word that we may not be familiar with. Deadlines may be delayed if we are not provided with correct pronunciations and have to contact you. If we do not connect after attempting to contact you and have pronunciation questions, we will wait for your return call. This may delay any deadlines. Feel free to send an mp3 or call us as well. If you should send us a bad phonetic or pronunciation and then need to have the project re-voiced or produced again new billing will apply. We will not adjust invoices if a deadline is delayed due to pronunciation questions. 


F.A.Q. 

Q: May I send an mp3 with the proper pronunciations?
A: Absolutely! We encourage you to mp3 us any words we may not be familiar with. This will avoid any deadline delays and allow us to say it exactly the way you need it. We do not charge for mp3 pronunciations forwarded to our talents.

Q: May I get more than one read for my commercial bookings?
A: Yes! At the time of booking, please let us know how many reads you would like the talent to provide. There is only a $10.00 talent fee for each additional read for up to :35 seconds or $15.00 talent fee for each additional read between :36 and :65 seconds. These rates do not apply after the original booking(s) have been made.  After the original booking(s) we will bill based off of the standard rate card if additional reads are requested.

Q: What is the best way to have the voice talent interpret copy?
A: You must of really liked something specifically in the voice talents demo to have picked them for your booking. Please tell us what you heard in his or her demo so they can give you the read style you are seeking. Feel free to send us a detailed scratch track mp3 with a sample read. We will gladly pass that along to our talents at no additional charge. We want you to be happy!

Q: Is there a limit to where and how long I can use the audio or voice overs?
A: No. Our commercials are a complete buy out. Use it as often as you wish. Only media retainers that expire will have 60 days to cease and desist use of the imaging voice in your market.

Q: Can I get a phone-patch with your voice talent or talk to your talent in person? 
A: No, sorry. In order to keep costs to a minimum, we do not offer phone patches or phone calls directly to talents. We will be happy to pass along all of the information you deem necessary to each talent in order to get you the high quality audio you expect.

Q: What’s the difference between your World-Class talents and Spot Tracks talents?
A: Our World-Class talents are available for full production, narrative projects, and media imaging. Also most of our World-Class talents can turn-around dry commercials within a matter of hours. Finally our World-Class talents are all very seasoned professionals. Infact many of them are nationally recognized and have prestigious awards. Spot Tracks talents are designed for dry commercials only (up to :60 seconds) and need up to 48 hours on turn-around. Usually a Spot Track talent can turn around within 24 hours or so.

Q: I need my v/o immediately. What is the best way to expedite the process?
A: Naturally we do our best to turn-around all projects as quickly as possible. We average about 4 hours on our same day World Class talents for turn-around. However, if you need something sooner for emergencies, please e-mail us the copy and information and with an eye grabbing subject header like URGENT.

Q: How can I check to see if the talent I want to use is available?
A: Just mouse over the “availability” link in front of the talents name on our World Class talent page. This will instantly display on your screen the talents turn around or if they are out and when they will return. This feature is updates instantly when we are notified of a schedule change from our talent(s).

Q: What are the specifications of the mp3’s we receive?
A: Our talents are required to send everything in a stereo mp3 at a minimum of 224kbps. The audio may take a extra few seconds to download but you will be assured a very high quality audio.

Q: Sometimes when I call I end up in voicemail, is there a better way to reach you?
A: We suggest you send the copy and information via e-mail first and then call. If you end up in voicemail please leave a detailed message. It simply means we’re on the other line or in a session. All calls are returned as soon as possible. The average wait time on a return call is less than 15 minutes.

Q: I need to get approval on the v/o from the client, how long do I have to ask for a free revision?
A: Our policy is 10 days. Anything after 10 days is subject to full billing. Please note the information above under "Re-Reads".

Q: Why can’t I send you two :15 second tags and just get billed for one :30 second commercial?
A: Time. When we receive a booking and put it on one of our internal production orders for our talents and for record keeping purposes, it takes time. Like an attorney, auto mechanic, or just about any other profession… you are paying for time and the service. It is also how we contract our voice talents. Plus every audio project from our World Class talents goes through a FREE post audio edit session before we send you the final version.

Q: One of your talents cut a spot for me, but I'm not crazy about his/her voice for this particular script. Can another talent cut the spot at no additional cost to me? 
A: Sorry, we can have the original talent re-cut it for you if you find your instructions were not followed. It's important to listen carefully to the talent demos in full. Each demo contains a variety of read styles in order for you to make a selection based on your individual needs. Keep in mind all of our talents shine bright with certain read styles. Asking one of our soft sell older talents to do a hard sell will take them out of their comfort zone and may result in a read you are not crazy about. We feature over 100 professionals and have all of the basis covered on read types.

Quick Tips 
> Think twice about adding multiple phone numbers, e-mail or web addresses to your copy. Chances are, the audience will not remember this information and it takes away valuable seconds from your commercial. People will remember your business name and your creative message. 
> Spanish reads is longer than English reads. Use the copy length above as a guide but you may want to subtract at least 10 words for a good fit. 
> Phacoemulsification. Did you say that right when you first read it? We didn't either. Its always best to give us a phonetic pronunciation on people, places, and things that may be local and obvious to you, but completely foreign to us. For instance, the above word would be pronounced like this - (FAY'-koh-ee-MUL'-sih-fuh-KAY'-shin). 
Try to use everyday words in your pronunciation. For instance, the city of Ocala contains "oh", "cal" as in California, and "uh", and is pronounced (oh-KAL'-uh). Also, don't forget to let us know which syllable is stressed. Additionally, most dictionaries have a fairly helpful pronunciation guide included in them. Phonetics can be extremely tricky, so don't hesitate to call us or send us an mp3 to confirm a word. 
> Proper Punctuation is a must. Leaving out periods, commas, and other grammatical marks will inevitably confuse the talent, and may result in a finished product that isn't quite what you were looking for. It can also be helpful to bold and underline words that you wish to have punched or emphasized. We will evaluate each situation to determine if there will be additional billing on copy errors. 
> It's important that you always include your name, phone number, and company you represent whenever you send us a script. If you're going to be away, a cell phone or pager number can also help us. This way, we can immediately alert you with any questions, problems, or concerns.