Beyond the Dark Episodes 10-14 | Original audio drama
Project Overview
Beyond the Dark is an original audio drama anthology. Each episode is a new world to explore with its own original music score. You might find yourself in the heart of a cyberpunk metropolis, a post-apocalyptic wasteland, or an alien world.
This is a gritty sci-fi series and requires serious, grounded performances. Season 1 can be found here for an idea of the overall tone.
About Episodes 10-14
These episodes are comprised of a single story told over five parts, approx. 25 minutes in length each.
Synopsis: After a virus wipes out most of human civilisation, a few scattered survivors - one of whom carries a devastating secret - attempt to stay ahead of the cannibalistic infected.
Setting: The world has fallen apart in the wake of a devastating virus outbreak. During the pandemic, ninety percent of the population died, and around one percent survived unharmed. The remaining ten percent are known as the ‘Infected’ - zombie-like humans who are incapable of rational thought. The Infected wander the streets with only one thought in mind - to find food. Due to an alteration in their sense of smell, the Infected prefer meat from those who are not carrying the disease, so they will hunt down animals and uninfected humans alike whenever possible. With the uninfected vastly outnumbered, it has become difficult for survivors to find safety in this new world.
Rules for auditioning
1. A quality recording. I can't use poor audio no matter how great your performance might be.
2. Commitment to deadlines.
3. Willingness to take direction and provide pickups if necessary.
4. Please provide at least two variations of each line.
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Kane is the protagonist and narrator of the story. He is a loner who has managed to survive without the help of others, scrounging what he can as he moves from place to place within the city. He is savvy with the routines and behaviours of the Infected but still understands how dangerous they can be. He maintains a degree of fear at the prospect of being cornered and outnumbered by Infected. Kane possesses very little in the way of resources and lives hand to mouth, usually picking off the scraps left by others who have fallen victim to the Infected. Before the outbreak he was responsible and compassionate and would never have thought twice about helping someone less fortunate than him. Now, however, he has become much more cynical in these desperate times. He is also haunted by the dying words of his father, who told Kane that the reason he was spared from the disease was because he was destined to do something great. But Kane knows this isn’t the truth - he is nothing more than a vulture, carrying out a meagre existence and waiting until the Infected eventually hunt him down.
Voice is medium to low pitch.
(Narrated, pensive as he recalls life before the outbreak. Feeling a great sense of loss) Life before the outbreak is something that doesn’t seem real to me anymore. The memories in my head feel more like dreams, fevered delusions that exist only to push back the horror of what the world has truly become. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can almost imagine I’m back there - fishing trips with my dad. Days at the park with friends. But it never lasts.
(Infected are closing in. A pair of strangers want to go back for their friends, but Kane knows this is a bad idea) “They’re dead already. Run, or you’ll die with them.”
(Talking about his father’s last moments, feeling empty because he knows he is not worthy of his father’s pride) “He spent his last breaths telling me that there was a reason I was spared, that I’d been chosen for something great. Still trying to comfort me, reassure me. Even at the end.”
Anjali has been through some very bad times since the outbreak. There are events in her past that she is very shameful about, and which she wants desperately to forget. Even so, she is determined to keep going and survive. She is optimistic and compassionate and is concerned for the safety of others around her. She has spent much of her time since the outbreak trapped in a research facility where scientists have been attempting to learn about the virus. She is somewhat out of her depth when the team is forced to leave the facility and fend for themselves in the outside world, since she has never had to contend with the Infected on a day-to-day basis. She is also carrying an injury that hampers her ability to move quickly, and she knows this makes her vulnerable.
Voice is medium to low pitch.
(Breathless, edgy as they encounter the Infected) “There’s more of them. Over there! Coming this way!”
(Recalling something terrible she’s done, full of regret) “Believe me, this is something you can’t ever forget. You can’t ever take it back. You just... carry it around with you till the end of your days."
(Sounds hopeful as she talks about escaping the Infected and finding somewhere safe) “I picture the beach. Seagulls and sunshine. Fishermen hauling baskets in from the ocean to feed the survivors. Plenty to go around.”
Dunbar is a scientist with many years of research behind him. He is dedicated and diligent and takes pride in what he does. He has a great deal of expertise in his field and speaks eloquently and with a certain degree of formality. He enunciates his words clearly. Dunbar has spent much of his time since the outbreak trapped in a research facility where scientists have been attempting to learn about the virus. He is somewhat out of his depth when the team is forced to leave the facility and fend for themselves in the outside world, since he has never had to contend with the Infected on a day-to-day basis. He is old and not well equipped physically for the rigours of life out in the open, but is nonetheless determined to survive and continue his research.
Voice is low pitch.
(Explaining about his research) “The disease causes its victims to lose higher order brain function. The Infected can’t reason, or discern right from wrong, but the lower order functions - hunger, the will to survive - are still there.”
(Witnessing something he can’t explain, full of dread) “My god... how?”
(Somewhat breathless and desperate after being chased by Infected. He has just come across a stranger and tries to convey that his friends are in dire peril and need help) “Our friends have a handgun with a few rounds in it, that’s all."
Strieber is a resourceful and hardened survivor who has been on his own for a long time. He lives in a woodland area and is adept at finding food and shelter whilst avoiding the Infected. Strieber is driven by the need to rescue his five year old son, Petey, who was captured by a clan known as the Sons of Dawn. Strieber works tirelessly toward this goal, and it influences every decision he makes. He is a loving father who was always responsible and caring, but in recent times has become increasingly desperate as his personal war with the Sons of Dawn escalates.
Voice is medium to low pitch.
(There is danger nearby. Short of breath, but still relatively calm) “No time for that now. We have to get out of here. It isn’t safe in these woods.”
(A warning as he is confronted, through gritted teeth) “Don’t move. Not another step.”
(Explaining what happened to Petey. Not tearful, but grim with an underlying sense of hatred for those who took him) "They took my son. My little boy Petey.”
Nikau is the leader of the Enforcers, a group that keeps the peace in a settlement where survivors have grouped together in an attempt to rebuild some form of society. Nikau is reasonable and tries to see the best in people; firm and authoritative, takes (his/her) job seriously, but is not overbearing. (He/she) is very loyal to the community, places it above anything else, and is willing to protect it at all costs.
Voice is medium to low pitch.
(Walks into a situation where one settler is threatening another. Voice is firm and in control) “Someone better explain what’s going on right now.”
(Laying down the rules) “Now, listen. We get a lot of refugees here, and we try to help as many as we can. But we have certain protocols that must be adhered to.”
(Breathless as danger suddenly appears) “Get down!”
Polina is a junior scientist who is smart and dedicated. Almost all of her time is devoted to the investigation of the virus. She adheres to the rules and follows protocol at all times. She is polite, friendly, and well spoken, and is genuinely concerned for the welfare of others in the community.
Voice is medium pitch.
(She has some bad news and is a little tentative as she catches up with some patients) “I’m sorry I haven’t come to see you in a while. We’ve been very busy over at the lab these last couple of weeks.”
(Somewhat breathless, keeping her voice low as she delivers a warning to some friends) “You might be in danger.”
(Recalling a memory with fondness and a hint of amusement) “Dr. Dunbar and Dr. Rhodes argued a lot - they had very different methods. But there was always a great deal of respect between them.”
Rhodes is a scientist with many years of research behind him, and is the head of a lab that is attempting to discover more about the virus. He is hard working and always follows procedure, adhering strictly to rules and regulations. He is somewhat prideful and egotistical and does not tolerate insubordination. He is well spoken and carries himself with an air of superiority.
Voice is medium to low pitch.
(Talking about some new research that’s been brought to him. He is impressed by what he’s seen) “I’ve been looking at it for the past few hours, yes. And I must say that... well, Dunbar’s methods were always radical, but... this it out there, even for him.”
(Alarmed, shouting a warning) “Get back! Get back from her!”
(Surprised, breathless as he is confronted by someone he didn’t expect to see) “Ugh... what are you doing here?”
Darsil is a tradesman who is helping out at one of the settlements that has been established as a safe haven from the Infected. He is friendly and easy going and enjoying life in the relative safety inside the walls of the settlement.
(Showing someone their new living quarters) “This is you. It looks pretty plain, now, but... give it time and you’ll come to love it, I’m sure.”
(Asking a new arrival about what life is like outside the settlement, where Infected are a constant danger) “You’ve been out there, right? What’s it like now?”
(Telling a new arrival a bit about himself) “My wife Penny and I have been here, oh... must be four months now. She works out on the trawler. Long days, as you can imagine.”
There are multiple roles available for Infected Humans.
The Infected are zombie-like humans who are incapable of rational thought. They wander the streets with only one thought in mind - to find food. Due to an alteration in their sense of smell, the Infected prefer meat from those who are not carrying the disease, so they will hunt down animals and uninfected humans alike whenever possible.
The Infected Humans are not paid roles, but successful actors will be credited in the show as being part of the cast.
(Sniffing, catching the scent of something tasty)
(Moaning, groaning, rasping while wandering the streets)
(Making vicious, hungry sounds while closing in on prey)
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