Unlocking the Mysteries of AI in Voiceover: A Candid Conversation with Robert Sciglimpaglia

We're diving deep into the world of AI in voiceover, and we've brought along the brilliant Robert Sciglimpaglia  to shed some light on this fascinating yet perplexing subject. 

The Tale of Kim and the AI Conundrum 

Picture this: Kim had a bit of a crisis not too long ago, courtesy of AI. Artificial intelligence threw her for a loop. Suddenly, what was once background noise became a real, tangible concern when a client came knocking with an AI job offer. Suddenly, she found herself facing a real dilemma when a client offered her an AI or text-to-speech (TTS) job. This job posed several challenges, and Kim felt overwhelmed and unsure about how to proceed. The specifications for the job were not promising, and Kim found herself questioning whether she should accept it or not. Feeling lost, she reached out to Robert, who swooped in to save the day with two simple words: "career suicide." Yikes, right? 

Introducing The Voiceover Pro and Legal Eagle 

Now, before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's give Robert his due credit. Not only is he a seasoned voice actor in his own right, but he's also a legal whiz. In fact, he literally wrote the book on voiceover legalities – aptly titled "Voiceover Legal." Talk about a double threat! So, who better to demystify the murky waters of AI in voiceover than the man himself? 

Decoding the Two AI Scenarios 

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. According to Robert, there are two main camps when it comes to AI in voiceover. First up, we have the "career suicide" scenario – think flat fees, zero ownership, and selling your soul to the AI devil. These companies license voices to third parties, effectively stripping voice actors of ownership and control over their recordings. Once a voice is sold to these companies, it can be used in various applications without the actor's consent or compensation.You end up competing against yourself – your AI produced voice!  Not ideal, to say the least. 

The second scenario offers a more favorable outcome for voice actors. In this case, contracts stipulated that actors retained ownership of their recordings while granting companies the right to use them for specific purposes. These contracts often included provisions for royalties or residuals if the recordings were used commercially by third parties.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of AI Contracts 

In this brave new world of AI, contracts can make or break your voiceover career. The key? Look for terms that offer residuals or royalties for commercial use by third parties. Avoid contracts that snatch away your rights and leave you competing against your own voice. Trust us, it's not a road you want to go down. 

How to Hire Robert (Spoiler: It's Easy!) 

Now, you might be wondering, how do I enlist the help of this legal voiceover guru? Well, fear not, because Robert's got you covered. Simply shoot him an email with your contract in tow, and he'll work his legal magic. Oh, and don't worry – initial inquiries won't cost you a dime. Just remember, play nice and keep it professional. 

Remember this – AI in voiceover is a double-edged sword. It can either catapult your career to new heights or send it spiraling into oblivion. The choice is yours. So, be smart, be vigilant, and most importantly, be awesome!

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