Beyond the Dark Productions - ‘The Strata’ - Chapter 9 | Original audio drama
Project Overview
The Strata is a gritty sci-fi / cyberpunk 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 25 episodes released with many more planned. 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 Characters - Per Season - in USD***
Narrator / Lead (10,000+ words) : $500
Lead / Supporting (7,500 - 10,000 words) : $400
Supporting (5,000 - 7,500 words) : $250
Supporting (2,500 - 5,000 words) : $100
Supporting (1,000 - 2,500 words) : $50
Minor (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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Word Count: 4100
Role: Supporting
Payment: $100 flat rate
Tessa is a long-time inhabitant of the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. To outsiders she is tough, uncompromising, and sometimes brutal. However, those who become part of her inner circle see a different side of Tessa. She is loyal, compassionate, caring, and fiercely protective of those close to her.
She is savvy and reads people well and is generally a good judge of character.
Tessa lives in the Vault, a giant subterranean habitation encased in hard steel that protects it from not only the harsh elements of the wasteland but also from thieves and marauders who scour the surface for resources. As a ‘custodian’ of the Vault, Tessa has sworn an oath to protect the Vault from any threat that may emerge. Although originally built to house many hundreds of inhabitants, the Vault has seen its population dwindle in recent years. Now, the only ones left are Tessa and a few of her fellow custodians - a group of guardians with no one left to protect.
With the people gone, Tessa has struggled in recent years to keep up morale. She feels unfulfilled and without purpose wandering the halls of an empty Vault night after night. However, like the other custodians, she has sworn to stay and protect the Vault until her dying breath, regardless of how many people are inside, and that is what she intends to do.
- english
- female adult
(Addressing two newcomers who up until now have been held as her captives. She realises the pair may not be the enemies she thought they were. Her manner is still firm and authoritative, but also conciliatory) “I’m going to put this rifle away now. That’s not an invitation for the two of you to try something stupid. It means I’m extending you an offer of goodwill - a sliver of trust. If you try to put one over me, you can consider that offer revoked.”
(Struggling with her emotions as she describes the recent death of a fellow custodian. Trying to remain calm and strong despite the painful memories) “One of the other custodians, he, uh… he and Nnadi were on a supply run last week when they got ambushed. The poison from the tox-bomb went through Powell fast, he never stood a chance. It took him in less than a day. Nnadi absorbed a lower dose, but it’s... it’s still enough to kill him eventually. It’s just taking longer.”
(Talking to herself as she readies a defensive system during an attack. Urgent and somewhat breathless as she goes through the checklist) “Okay, okay... let’s see here... turret initiation sequence. Power level good on Turret One. Ammo dispenser max capacity. All checks complete. Up you go, baby!”
Word count: 1600
Role: Supporting
Payment: $50 flat rate
Coltrain is a long-time inhabitant of the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. He is rugged and resourceful, a survivor who is skilled in combat and weaponry. When faced by outside threats, Coltrain is brutal and uncompromising. To his friends he is known to be warm, sociable, and quick to crack a joke or one-liner whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Coltrain lives in the Vault, a giant subterranean habitation encased in hard steel that protects it from not only the harsh elements of the wasteland but also from thieves and marauders who scour the surface for resources. As a ‘custodian’ of the Vault, Coltrain has sworn an oath to protect the Vault from any threat that may emerge. Although originally built to house many hundreds of inhabitants, the Vault has seen its population dwindle in recent years. Now, the only ones left are Coltrain and a few of his fellow custodians - a group of guardians with no one left to protect.
Although Coltrain yearns for the days when the Vault was vibrant and filled with the sound of people, he maintains focus by keeping strong relationships with his fellow custodians. To him, they represent his entire world. He would lay down his life to protect his comrades if necessary.
- english
- male adult
(Pensive as he reflects on the situation within the Vault as he and the other custodians prepare for an assault that will likely kill them all) “We custodians... we’re old. We’ve seen a lot of years go by, and the world has moved on. There’s no one left here in the Vault to protect. Maybe this is the cosmos’ way of telling us that now is the moment for us to finally leave once and for all.”
(Speaking urgently to Tessa, using the nickname ‘Tee’. Coltrain has just found out that an assault on the Vault is about to begin. A ‘rattle train’ is a reference to a type of train in the Deadlands that moves quickly and rarely stops) “We just got a message on the comms relay from Dry Gully. It’s bad news, Tee. Morton just rolled through there like a rattle train. Ripped the whole outpost apart.”
(Breathless, voice raised, shouting commands in the middle of a firefight) “Get to cover, there at the back! I’ll take the ones on the right! They’re advancing their position. Fast.”
Word count: 1300
Role: Supporting
Payment: $50 flat rate
Morton is the ambitious leader of a clan of mercenaries who inhabit the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. He is intelligent, well spoken and has a keen understanding of what it takes to survive in such an inhospitable environment. He is pragmatic and even cynical at times. Although he is often quick to win strangers over with his charming demeanour, he is also known to be both methodical and calculating when he needs to be.
Under his guidance the clan has risen from a small band of desperate marauders into a large, well-organised group that rivals the most powerful clans in the Deadlands. After living hand to mouth for many years, squabbling over resources with other outcasts, Morton realised that the only sure way to survive was by strength in numbers. Using his abundant charisma, he went about recruiting outcasts from across the Deadlands. With Morton calling the shots, the clan worked tirelessly to establish an underground enclave where they could gather and store resources.
In recent times Morton has made a name for himself in the Deadlands and not everyone looks favourably upon his methods. He has adopted a hard and ruthless approach to gathering resources, oftentimes taking over smaller encampments by force. This has led to a number of violent confrontations and now the inhabitants of the Deadlands have become wary of Morton and his clan. For his part, Morton makes no apologies for these attacks - he simply understands that this is what it takes to survive.
(Calmly telling newcomers about the clan) “Us? We’re no one special. Just a community of like-minded travellers who occupy this region. We’ve banded together for our mutual benefit. Safety in numbers, I suppose you could say.”
(Upset, agitated as he addresses a subordinate who has failed to carry out a vital task) “I told you to check those units before you began the retreat! Clearly you did no such thing. They should have gone off minutes ago, and yet here we are still waiting!”
(Firm, flinty and hard-edged as he addresses the inhabitants of an encampment that he and the clan are invading) “Attention, residents of this bunker. My name is Commander Morton, and I’m in charge of the strike team that’s currently taking action against you. I’m going to keep this brief, so I suggest you listen very carefully to every word I have to say. Your facility has been found in violation of the laws laid down by myself and the clan council. As the rightful owner of these lands, the clan demands that certain obligations are met. Not only have you failed to pay tax or tithe as decreed by law, but you have also been found guilty of the assassination of clan officials on no less than fourteen separate occasions. This is a despicable transgression against the clan and must be punished to the full extent of the law.”
Word count: 850
Role:Minor
Payment: $25 flat rate
Murphy runs a small distribution centre in Midtown where he buys and sells various mechanical tools and gadgets, often on the black market. He distrusts police and other authority figures and is somewhat paranoid, often taking elaborate measures to ensure that he isn’t being followed or overheard. Despite being somewhat edgy and nervous, Murphy drives a hard bargain, and will stand his ground during a negotiation. This can lead to arguments and many traders in Midtown avoid dealing with him on this basis alone. However, Murphy has a knack for obtaining rare items and this can lead to lucrative trades for those who are prepared to work with him.
- english
- male adult
(Making a reference to a fellow trader who was attacked by thugs) “Some sicko slashed up Jimmy Three-Hands a couple of nights ago. Half of him got carted off to Midtown General, and the other half is still in an alley over by Crosstown. He’s lucky to be alive.”
(Patronising, dismissive as he addresses a courier who needs to go collect a package for him) “So... take down these coordinates, then sit your ass on that hoverbike and go get it.”
(Panicky, breathless as he suddenly realises that a visitor may be dangerous and wish him harm) “Who sent you? Who are you working for? You need to turn around and get out of here. Right now.”
Word count: 500
Role:Minor
Payment: $25 flat rate
Loren is a smart and capable member of a clan of mercenaries who inhabit the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. She is savvy and decisive. As a veteran of the wasteland, she is distrustful of outsiders and tends to be suspicious of anyone she doesn’t know. She speaks in a terse, economical manner, and doesn’t tolerate fools. She has no hesitation in putting people in their place if they step out of line.
Loren never backs away from a fight. In fact, she thrives on confrontation and is rarely intimidated, even by the most menacing of opponents. She is loyal to the clan and understands that the only way to survive is by standing firm with her clanmates against anything that comes their way.
- english
- female adult
(In a standoff with outsiders. Loren has a pistol hidden under her cloak. Tone is gritty, uncompromising) “And just so you know, this lump under my cloak is loaded. It’s also pointed right at your ugly head. You raise your voice again and I’ll revoke this little slice of hospitality you’re enjoying, fast.”
(Making preparations at the start of a new day, in the process of readying vehicles for a journey. Somewhat upbeat) “The ashfall has cleared out in the wake of the Maelstrom. Sun’s coming out. It’s going to be good weather for travel today.”
(Disdainful as she tells a couple of city dwellers that they aren’t prepared for the dangers of the Deadlands) “You don’t understand the kind of savages we have to deal with out here. They’re not like the soft-belly slugs you find back in The Strata.”
Word count: 15
Role: Extra
Unpaid
Bell is a member of a clan of mercenaries who inhabit the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. They have been tasked with the important task of planting explosives inside an enemy compound. This is a critical task that requires a high level of precision, so tension is high.
(Calling out to their clanmates after setting an explosive. Urgent, projecting their voice so that they can be heard clearly by the others as they retreat) “That’s it! All set. We’ve got three minutes to get the hell out of here. Fall back!”
Word count: 10
Role:Extra
Unpaid
Smith is a member of a clan of mercenaries who inhabit the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. They are hard working and dedicated and always do their best to help out with any duties that need to be done.
(Voice raised as they carry out their work, somewhat impatient as their fellow clan member struggles to keep up) “Get that thing unloaded, come on!”
Word count: 10
Role:Extra
Unpaid
Adams is a member of a clan of mercenaries who inhabit the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. They are hard working and dedicated and always do their best to help out with any duties that need to be done.
(Breathing hard, grunting, straining as they try to lift a heavy load) “Someone give me a hand with this!”
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