Ben and Big
Project Overview
If the video link gives you trouble, copy and paste the link below to see where we're going with it.
https://youtu.be/iRZJGIIPubI
SHORT SYNOPSIS
Madame Fetid is a supremely vain, horribly wicked witch. To retain her youth, magic requires that she eat living things... plants, insects... people. Ah, people, very good - powerful youth potion. And children, oh the very best of all, those wonderful, succulent life-giving little creatures.
Fetid drools at the thought of having young Ben, a sprightly young fellow from a nearby village, over for dinner. She conjures a plan to lure him into her dilapidated, bewitched old house. How on earth is a simple village boy to escape the clutches of Fetid's powerful magic, and her entourage of comical, but vindictive talking insects?
Well, Ben's probably done for... but then there's Big, a ferocious cave troll, also on Fetid's menu. With Ben's brain, and Big's brawn, maybe, just maybe, Fetid has bitten off more than she can chew this time... nah, she is a powerful witch, after all.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
Actors please note that this is an unpaid project, but a chance to add great work to your reel. The work will be done online, so actors must have access to an excellent microphone. It will be necessary to sign an actor's release to protect our actors and producers. It's the plan to release the film on the festival circuit this year.
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Latest Updates
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Hello, everyone. For me, these auditions have uncovered a marvelous group of actors. You guys sure didn't make it easy to cast the show. We had to go over and over your work. Thank you, one and all. For those who were not cast this time around, be sure I have your link in my database, and you will be invited to take part in our next project, should you be interested. For those who have been cast, congratulations. You'll soon receive your actor's contract to review and sign. You will also receive the "Actor's version" of the script, with director's notes. More about that in a few days. Again, thank you, one and all. Very best regards, Rowan
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Deadline has been extended.
Dear actors, there has been a wonderful response to this project. We need just a little more time to sort through the auditions and make final decisions. Thank you, one and all, for such creative submissions. -
Irish and Jamaican accents !
Hi, all, no casting has been finalized yet. Take a look at the two additions. Ire Itch, Irish accent. Cray Z, Jamaican accent. Please read for these if you can do the accents well.
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Audition closing date has changed.
All you wonderful actors out there, thanks for the great auditions. Please note that auditions will now only close at the end of Feb. Need time to finish business after I get back from Sundance. I'll be in touch. Best regards to all.
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Ben and Big: Madame Fetid
New opening. Cool guitar solo at around 3 mins.
Ben's about 13 years old. His voice could be done by a male, or an older female who sounds like a teen. He's energetic, athletic, enthusiastic, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes excitable.
You're huge. You must be seven feet tall.... Can you speak My name is Ben. What's yours?
I don't understand why she has to be so mean. Why do you stay here with her? I mean, she's awful. She treats you so badly. You're afraid of her. Right? That's what it is. You're scared.
Quickly. Go that way. I'll stay here. When she appears you need to distract her. I'll jump down and grab the orb. Go, go, go. She's coming.
Ire Itch, as in "Irish", is a fidgety little insect - well, he itches all the time. He's energetic, and in spite of being one of the "bad guys", is a pretty amusing lil' fellow. he has a distinctly Irish accent, but is still clearly intelligible.
Well, here I am, Ire Itch Orf. And dat’s all right, you can call me Ire Itch, because I am, I do.
Thing is, uh, you really should not touch the creature. It’s uh... it.. yuh, what he said... breaks the spell.
Cray Z. is a colorful insect. He's bold, confident, unafraid to speak his mind. he has a rich voice, with a distinct, bet still clearly intelligible Jamaican accent.
Hey, everybody, I’m Cray Zebediah Orf. But you call me dat and I’ll put island slammin’ on ya. Cuh Ray Zee is all for me.
Ah, don’ cha be worryin’ ‘bout da new tiny, mon. Da madame gone to fire da stones den cook his bones.
Sir Fur is another of the talking insect horde. He speaks with California surfer-dude accent.
Dude, hang back, I’m tellin’ ya. Psycho scoundrels surf this site, for real man.
So how come... she... don’t snag that dude out there... her own self? Hey, man, I’m just sayin’.
Two announcers with regional British accents spin the praises of Ben's soccer skills.
Oh, my goodness, that boy is simply unstoppable. What remarkable footwork. Oh, look at that, he's cutting through the opposition like a hot knife through butter. Here it comes. Here it comes... and... and... GOALLLL. It's a goal. Can you believe it? He's done it again. Well, I never !
Fetid is a mean, remorseless old witch. She has to eat living things in order to keep her youth.
Oh, yes, I've been waiting for you, sweet boy. (Menacing, with evil intent)
Now, now. Don't be afraid. I ain't gonna hurt you. Just one lil' bite and it'll all be over. (Syrupy sweet, with great eagerness)
A variety of lovable, sometimes confused, sometimes silly, talking insects. Actors need to do a variety of accents and character voices,
Yup, ee yup, yupitty yup. The the that's that's me.
Oh, oh. Yeah. Yeah. And now, it uh, it is my pleasure in greatness to introduce last and least... no, no wait... least is not last, but last can be, uh, leastly last, not meaning least, but last for sure...
(CRAY Z.) Hey, everybody, I’m Cray Zebediah Orf. But you call me dat and I’ll put island slammin’ on ya. Cuh Ray Zee is all for me.
(IRE ITCH) Well, here I am, Ire Itch Orf. And dat’s all right, you can call me Ire Itch, because I am, I do.
Animated character voice. He's a pompous, talking beetle. Leader of the Orc clan.
Nuh, nuh, now you all just simmer down. Ju... just, just everbody calm down and listen. Will you all JUST BE QUIET... come on now a little respect. Better. Here's the thing... we have an intruder right out there. Right out there in the , the, that ... in the ... behind that very wall. (Animated character voice of a talking beetle)
This uh um I am uh very real Orf, an’ my uh muh my name is is Ahyemah C. Lee Orf.
Yuh, yuh. I’m uh, I’m a Orf. Ahyemah C. Lee Orf. An’ you are?
Two hours, Ben. That barn needs work. And stay away from that old house. Somethin’ weird about that place.
She's a sweetheart, who came to this part of the forest with her parents.
Eyedid Morf. My dad changed our name when we arrived here. He thought we’d never make it with our old name, Schwartzenegger.
You're a Orf. Your'e a Orf ? No, no, I'm asking, you're a Orf... ? Oi... Alrighty then
Big is a huge, fierce looking, but kindly cave troll. He has a deep, breathy voice.
Aaaah.. you go ... I... witch no more here. No more. She no hurt nobody no more. I promise. Now, you go. (Raspy, deep voice)
Play with it.
Well, well... not so well. Look what we have here. Lemme give you a clue. The orb. Mine. Watch ya gonna do?