Short timing on "castings" and "contests"
Maybe I just didn't notice it before, but it seems that recently the times to complete a job that is won in a "casting" or "contest" have either shortened up dramatically or the method of timing has changed. I thought the to complete the project was like a booking where the project is offered to you and the completion clock starts when the job is accepted.
Recently however, I have had 2 jobs "time out" before I could get to them. Fortunately, i was able to submit reads and it was all worked out.
It makes me wonder though, has the timing changed?
If so, it makes it difficult for those of us who work full time to complete them on time, every time. We submit the auditions for the casting or contest in hopes that 1. we win and 2. we can make it work with our schedules.
The scenario I have run into is doing an audition, and receiving the job a day or two later. I still have 6 or more hours in the work day but the job times out in 5. The other scenario is having an international customer who approves the audition at 1am local time here and the job times out before we get up in the morning.
So, I was wondering if it is possible to either change back to what I remember as the previous system (clock starts at acceptance) or perhaps extend the completion time by about 3 hours?
I know we want to complete jobs in a timely manner for the customer, but this system needs some kinks worked out. We can't sit in our booths 24/7 waiting for the jobs to show.
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BUG CONFIRMED! Thanks so much for your detailed reporting! The engineering team is not sure how many projects were affected or how far back the bug goes, but they are currently investigating. I will work with them on correcting the stats of those affected. I sincerely apologize for this and will find out as much as I can for you.
Thanks for the question Mark. I am following up with our product team to see what is happening and if there are plans to adjust the timing. I will let you know as soon as I get a response.
Hey Tara,
In doing a little digging into previous jobs, it looks like there was some sort of unannounced policy change just after Thanksgiving. Below is a “Casting Won” announcement from Nov 24 and one from Nov 28. The time limit was 31 hours and change on the 24th and dropped to 5 hours and change on the 28th, where it has been ever since.
I don't know about other voice actors, but due to the low amount of work, I cannot be sitting around my computer all day since there aren't enough jobs to make it a full time gig. I, like many do this part time and have a full time job and family.
Now, I do understand that we want to serve the customer as quick as a bunny, but a six time reduction in work time? Really? No announcement or explanation??? Oh, I know, “If you don't think you can complete the job within the time frame given, don't accept the job.” However, we don't know when the job will be handed out and most times, it works out fine.
However, in an increasing number of cases, with the shortened time frame, it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the new demand.
Suppose a job is posted at 1am local time for the voice actor. They have until 6am to finish it or get penalized? If they have a regular day job (or even an irregular one like retail), that is nonsense.
Yes we want to serve the customer, but even with VoiceBunny, there are demands that make no sense.
Now, if the pay were scale or better, different story. But it is not.
A reasonable compromise might be in the neighborhood of 10-12 hours. But then again, there may have been updates to the promises to clients about which we are unaware.
In any case, shortening lead times by a six times is nuts. From my end, it makes no sense unless someone in the marketing/sales side decided that it was needed to make more sales. Fine and dandy. Not making any form of announcement to the voice actors? Come on. We are in the communication business. Communicate.
And please, seriously, do not point to the “don't accept the job” line unless you can control the timing of the delivery of the job to voice actor. That way we can see if delivery of the job works with our schedule. You know, TeamWork!!!
From Nov 24 2014
Awesome Mark! Our client selected you as the winner for Alianza Cloud Voice Platform:
You have 31 hours and 21 minutes to complete the project. The faster, the better.
You will earn an additional USD15 when you complete the project.
Please review the "remarks" section again, as the client may have provided some additional instructions just for you.
From Nov 28 2014
Awesome Mark! Our client selected you as the winner for Willdom:
You have 5 hours and 23 minutes to complete the project. The faster, the better.
You will earn an additional USD12 when you complete the project.
Please review the "remarks" section again, as the client may have provided some additional instructions just for you.
I am unaware of any new releases related to the time allowed. I asked the product team about it to ensure there isn't a bug here. You are the first to bring it to my attention. I will let you know what I find.