Beyond the Dark Productions - ‘The Strata’ - Chapter 7 | Original audio drama
Project Overview
The Strata is a gritty sci-fi / horror series and requires serious, grounded performances.
Format: The podcast consists of a series of interwoven stories in a persistent universe and there is an opportunity for voice actors to take on recurring roles if interested. There are over 50 episodes currently planned, broken up into chapters of around 5 episodes each. Please take a listen to previous seasons of The Strata for an idea of the overall tone at http://thestratapodcast.com/
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***Payment Structure for Returning Characters - Per Chapter (4-6 Episodes) - in USD***
Narrator (over 5000 words) : $250
Supporting Character (over 1000 words) : $50
Minor Character (less than 1000 words) : $25
Extra (less than 50 words) : Unpaid
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Setting: In a sprawling future metropolis called The Strata, society has continued to segregate between the classes. The wealthy live in Highgate City, a place full of dazzling skyscrapers and creature comforts. Organic body augmentations that allow citizens to extend their life for hundreds of years have become commonplace. At the other end of the spectrum lies Dockerton, a slum area filled with crime, drugs and poverty. Disease is rampant and basic facilities are almost non-existent. There are many checkpoints maintained by police that help to keep the city segregated, and most citizens don’t bother straying from their own neighbourhood.
Disclaimer / Content Warning: This project contains mild profanity and some portrayals of violence (gunplay, drug use).
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. You must be 18 years or older to audition
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**This is a supporting character role, but the payment has been increased since it’s a larger than normal part.
Shackton is a pump worker who has been a long time employee in the Underground, a system of watery tunnels that wind their way beneath the slum area of Dockerton. He is very knowledgeable about his branch of the tunnel system and is an indispensable member of the pump worker crew. Conditions in the Underground are harsh and dangerous and Shackton, or ‘Shack’ as he is known by friends, has suffered the effects of long term exposure. As such, his joints are not in terribly good shape and he hopes fervently that he will be able to retire one day soon.
Shack has been a long time coworker of Ximena, and together they have bonded during their time in the Underground. They especially like to engage in banter, and although they nag at each other at times, they share a strong affection for each other.
Although Shack is loyal to Ximena, his health problems have caused more and more issues of late and he is starting to explore options that might allow him to leave the Underground. He has not conveyed these feelings to Ximena since he is worried that he might upset her, but he knows the time is coming when he won’t be able to hide the truth from her.
(pronunciation of Ximena - he-MAY-nuh)
(Reassuring a coworker about the safety of the Underground tunnel system) “Hey, don’t worry about that shit. We’ve got sensors and gauges and monitors and alarms all over these damn tunnels. Just keep that comms unit on your head and you’ll be the first to know whenever something bad happens.”
(Urgent, caught up in the moment, working to prevent a disaster from happening) “We don’t have a minute. Divert, right now, or we’re going to have a tsunami rolling through downtown Dockerton.”
(A coworker dies in an unfortunate accident. Shackton calls out as the body is being taken away) “Ximena!” (continues in a moderate tone, full of regret) “Look after her, huh? See that she’s treated with... with dignity.”
Taalah is a pump worker who has just started in the Underground, a system of watery tunnels that wind their way beneath the slum area of Dockerton. She is very green and knows little about how to do her job, since she’s only in her first week on the crew. Conditions in the Underground are harsh and dangerous and Taalah is wary of getting hurt. However, she is conscientious and committed and wants to do a good job. Although this wasn’t the career she envisioned for herself, she has enjoyed meeting her fellow pump workers and is already starting to form a strong bond with them. She hopes to one day rise the ranks to a supervisor role.
(Feeling uncertain about her ability to cope with the Underground as she has a discussion with some fellow workers) “When do you think I’ll start getting the instincts for these... vibrations and noises? I mean, I don’t want to be stuck down in these tunnels with no clue that something’s about to go wrong.”
(Uneasy as a disaster starts to unfold) “Uh, guys... I can see a lot of water coming into the chamber from up here. I mean - a lot. Is that normal?”
(Breathless and excited as she works to move a piece of equipment that could help avert a disaster) “I think I’m getting it!”
Akers is a ruthless and merciless member of the Fortunato crew. He is loyal and committed but sometimes makes bad decisions, and generally lacks the polish to do a job properly. Akers will do whatever he is told and is prepared to kill anyone who gets in his way. He likes to please his superiors and despises the thought of being admonished for doing a bad job. Akers also likes carrying a gun wherever he goes and is often itching for a chance to use it.
Pronunciation of Salinger - SAL-in-jer
(Showing no compassion for prison inmates who were killed in an accident) “Don’t sweat it. Those were just scumbag convicts. Lifers from Blackhall lockup.”
(Amused - ridiculing a captive who has been shot dead) “Oh, look at that. Another corpse for the pile. I guess we’ll make it an even dozen.”
(Reporting in to his boss) “Ms. Salinger, the blastholes are done. We’re ready to put the detonators in place.”
Peters is a pump worker who has been a long time employee in the Underground, a system of watery tunnels that wind their way beneath the slum area of Dockerton. He is very knowledgeable about his branch of the tunnel system and is an indispensable member of the pump worker crew. Peters is somewhat laid back and casual, and sometimes doesn’t take things as seriously as he should. However, he has always carried out his duties safely and without incident as is considered a competent worker by his peers.
Pronunciation of Ximena - he-MAY-nuh
(Casual, responding over the radio to an emergency call) “Branch Ninety-One here. Don’t get your grease rag in a knot, Ximena.”
(Casual, not understanding about a dangerous situation in another branch) “Yeah, what the hell are you two clowns doing over there? We’re getting pressure spikes all over the place - coming from your direction.”
(Derisive as he tells a coworker about central management not carrying out their duties - a common occurrence) “Forget about those guys. A bunch of overseers didn’t show up to work. Personnel shortage. Nothing new where Central is concerned, am I right?”
Young Ximena is a strong-willed and brave young girl who is in a bad situation. She appears in a flashback scene and is the younger version of the protagonist Ximena. In this scene Ximena and her younger sister Zoe have gotten themselves in a predicament, becoming lost while exploring the network of tunnels that run beneath Dockerton. The tunnels are dark, cold and wet. Worse, the two sisters have become separated. Ximena is attempting to put on a brave face as she tries to find her way out, but underneath she is filled with fear and concern.
Her age is approximately 10-12 years old. Looking for a believable portrayal of the girl this age.
(Tentative at first, then louder) “Zoe? Zoe, can you hear me? Are you there?”
(Relieved and concerned as she stumbles across her sister huddled in one of the tunnels) “Zoe! There you are!”
(Trying to be encouraging, putting on a brave face) “Come on. I’ve got you. We’re getting out of here.”
The Mortician works at a morgue in Dockerton and is tasked with handling bodies of the recently deceased. They are calm and polite and try to do the best job they possibly can. However, things are busy in the morgue and this can result in errors now and again. The Mortician tries to maintain a professional demeanour even when the job gets tough.
(Greeting someone who has just arrived and helping to process their enquiry) “Sure, someone will be with you soon.”
(Informing an inquiring member of the public that a dead body has already been processed) “Oh, she was processed hours ago. Everything’s done. You can go.”
(Finds a member of the public in a place they shouldn’t be - brusque, but not impolite) “What are you doing in here?”
The Guard works in Blackhall prison and is responsible for keeping prisoners in check. Although he is bored much of the time, he tries his best to make sure prisoners are under control at all times.
(Casual, asking a colleague about a malfunction device in the prison) “Hey, Billy... did you check that camera in Block Two on the East Wing? It’s been out for weeks...”
The inmate is a prisoner at Blackhall prison. Although they are normally morose and ill-tempered, today is different. There is a breakout happening and the inmate is about to leave Blackhall and find freedom. They are exuberant and full of anticipation and excitement at this prospect.
(Making an escape from prison - shouting) “Yeah! Woo! Let’s get out of here!”
(Pausing to remind other prisoners to be careful as they escape - shouting) “Remember to follow the directions you’ve been given. Let’s go!”
(Suddenly screaming in pain as something goes wrong - hit by a volley of bullets)
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