Welcome to the Big Obridged Casting Call
What is this?
This project is going to be an abridged parody of the late 90’s/Early 2000’s Noir/Mecha anime The Big O.
This parody’s goal is to take the Noir elements that help give the series its unique flavor, and jack them up to eleven in service of satirizing the genre. That means the footage will be black and white, the dialogue will be fast-paced and snarky, and music will be jazz and big band.
For those who are unaware of the series’ premise:
The Big O follows Roger Smith: Paradigm City’s top negotiator who solves cases with the help of his butler Norman Burg and Android assistant R. Dorothy Wainwright solve cases that plague the city and battles kaiju-like terrors with the mighty mecha megadeus Big O.
Project Requirements:
A Valid Discord Account: For purposes of communication and live-direction
A Good Microphone (XLR or USB): Our main concern though is audio quality more than what specific microphone you’re using.
Reliability/Good Communication Skills: We understand that life can get in the way, all that we ask is that you communicate with us and try to give us as much heads up as possible in regards to possible hurdles that may affect the project and we promise to do the same.
A Can Do Attitude: As much as this will be work, we want this to be a fun and fulling project for all participants
PLEASE DO NOT SLATE YOUR AUDITIONS
Please send your audition(s) in AABBCC format
We will contact all finalists, 2-3 days after the deadline.
Sincerely
EchelonEcho and UnforgivenRonin
Project Lead(s)
Thank you to Everyone that submitted auditions, we can't wait to tell Big O, It's Show Time, but we need to hold out, for these last 3 roles, that needs to fit a little bit better. If you have already submitted for these roles, feel free to audition again. We will be messaging those who auditioned, with feedback and those that got the role, we will message you through CCC to join our discord.
Roger Smith:
Our main character, a private dick with a prejudice of androids, an inability to remember his butler’s name, and a giant robot that to an extent has more of a personality than he does. This version will be more snarky and Archer-esque starting out, but eventually heads down the path of becoming a decent human being.
In terms of the voice, you can use the dub of Big O for inspiration, although we’d also want you to be able to Noir it up as well.
(Noir Narration) They call her the City of Amnesia, A place where memory meets entropy. Despite that less than stellar reputation, Paradigm is good to her people, and for a select few there are exclusive benefits… and as a recipient of those benefits I have to attest that they are…
(annoyed & upset) Excuses! And what do you and the rest of the cast of Barney Miller do; saddle me with the “alleged” criminal. By the way, when is she going to be out of my hair; it's been… hard to bring around company with that washing machine skulking around the place.
(sarcastic) I don’t know get a restraining order against him, perhaps rethink my stance on the 2nd Amendment.
R. Dorothy Wayneright:
Dorothy will be our resident girl Friday, who deals with Roger’s BS with the same cold deadpan expression of a veteran customer service worker.
For inspiration think Aubrey Plaza, but if she were an android.
My name is Dorothy.
Your concern is appreciated Detective
(robotic & confused) Oh hello detective, where am I?
Dan Datsun:
Datsun will be portrayed in a similar manner to how he is in the original show, but with a bit more of a comedic edge as he juggles keeping Smith in line and leading a police force that is fairly liberal with its explosive ordinance.
For this character, we will be looking for a deep, gruff male voice. Please feel free to use the Big O dub for inspiration, but we are not looking for a 1 to 1 imitation.Datsun: Damn it, only firing two rockets at the same time isn’t working. (Cop: Sir, why don't you use some of the heavier stuff?) Datsun: Can’t use all of it last week, that baby meth dealer never stood a chance.
(Angry & Yelling) That was a cancer research center Smith!
(Ordering His Men) Men! Please remind Mr. Smith that one does not simply walk away from an active crime scene.
Angel:
Angel is our series’ resident femme fatale.
We will be going for a deconstruction of the femme fatale trope, as she tries and fails to play her part in seducing Roger Smith.
We’ll be looking for an actor who can play the Femme Fatale Archetype to a T, but also show the cracks forming as she has to deal with the lead’s absurdity.
(professional and business like) Angel TBD, and unfortunately for you this visit is solely about business. You see I am with Dove, Noodle, Schnieder, and Dong representing one Dorothy R. Wainwright; who claims that you have been discriminating against her for her artificial origins.
(seductive) What’ll it be Mr. Smith; Litigation or Investigation?
(annoyed & angry) Hey do you mind telling me why we’re running towards whatever the fuck that is?
Jason Beck:
Jason Beck will be the comedy villain of the series.
Imagine Lupin the Third, but without the skill, class, or prestige. He wants to be the best thief and criminal Paradigm City has ever seen, but no one cares to recognize him.
For this character, we’re looking for a 1930s/1940s American voice.
(coy) Well(x3) if it isn’t the Big O, what you gonna try to play- Oh boy
(angry & Indignant) Are you fucking serious? You know what, I have tried to be a professional criminal, I engaged you in witty banter, I disarmed you, but didn’t kill you, and you have the gall to not only not give credit for the multiple felonies I’ve committed by awarding them to a redheaded roomba. No you have wronged me and I demand compensation!
(Frustrated Grumble)Nevermind all you need to know is that I’m taking the girl, and if you try any funny business the old man will pay for your mistake.
Norman Burg :
Norman Burg is Roger's butler/babysitter, as well as a man of many nicknames (mainly because Roger can never get his right).
So he is essentially going to play the same role as he did in the original series, but with just a bit more fatigue after dealing his man-child of a master for such a lengthy period of time.
For a Refence of the voice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4S1oykAY6Y&pp=ygUXYWxmcmVkIHBlbm55d29ydGggdm9pY2U%3D\
Yes sir, she agreed to testify against her co-conspirators in order to receive a lighter sentence, and Mr. Datsun has asked us to "keep an eye on her" until the trial.
(Describing Dorothy) Sir, she’s pure porcelain.
Schwarzwald:
Schwarzwald is going to be our most outrageous character
While in the original he was a reporter who was fighting against censorship by his employers; Our version will be going fully off the wall, acting as our series’ equivalent of the Joker, as he attempts to give all of Paradigm city a painful dose of self-awareness.
We will be looking for a flamboyantly german voice for the character and hamminess will be a requirement.
Here is a refence clip for how we want the voice to sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlmM7yoq59E
"I've lived my life as a newspaper reporter. I uncover the truth and write my articles. But then I learned, all too well, that a mere reporter like myself can't ever get to the truth in this city... it's nearly impossible. And it's unsure! No one here is even interested in learning the truth - a truth that must be known. But I want to know! I want to learn what must be known!"
(Monologuing To The Hero) They are, it's those damn (censor). Curses those fucking (censor) are trying to keep their identities a secret; the cowards. You hear me (censor), I’m onto you, this con; this binary barter of reality will not go through. I will lift this grey fog from the eyes of the people; I will purge your virus from the system to keep it from spreading any further! Mr. Smith, do you know how one keeps a virus from spreading? You erect a FIREWALL!
(Calling His Megadues) "Big Duo! It is now... SHOWTIME!"
Rosewater:
Mr. Rosewater will be our series’ main antagonist
Although for the time being he will be more of a side character due to lack of screentime.
We will be looking for an actor who can project a deep and powerful voice that can intimidate his enemies, yet still be humorous to the viewer.
For the voice looking for deep and commanding voice like the dub, but if you own take that you like to try, feel free.
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2WwK44GaqY
(Calling in his Mega Dues) "Big Fau! Showtime!"
(Shouting to his opponent) "This world has a New Order now! It has a new God!"
Basically Sterling Archer from the show Archer
This will be a bit part, similar to how he is portrayed in his series, acting as an internal (slightly less combatic) voice in Roger’s head.
We will be looking for an actor who can provide a well performed impression of H. John Benjamin’s Archer and have good comedic timing.
For reference for the lines:
(Line 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeaGXjD_iDY&pp=ygUZYXJjaGVyIGJsb29keSBtYXJ5IHByYXllcg%3D%3D
(Line 2) Season 3 Episode 13: Space Race Part 2 - Time Code: 11:10
(Line 3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqq5w0YBfb4&pp=ygULQXJjaGVyIHJ1c2U%3D
(Hung Over) "For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry god; Bloody Mary, full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen.
(Annoyed & indignant) "No it isn’t Lana. It’s an allegorical novella, about Stalinism, by George Orwell and spoiler alert: IT SUCKS!!!"
(1930s phone operator) A Ruse...?! Ring Ring -Hello? -Hi, it's the 1930s. Can we have our words and clothes, and shitty airplane back? -Call you back 1930s. -And hey, watch out for that Adolf Hitler, he's a bad egg!"
Sean Connery James Bond:
This will be a bit part, parodying Sean Connery’s portrayal of James Bond who will be acting as an internal (often combatic) voice in Roger’s head alongside Sterling Archer.
We will be looking for an actor who can provide a well performed impression of Mr. Connery and have good comedic timing.
"I admit I'm being paid well, but it's no more than I deserve. After all, I've been screwed more times than a hooker.'
"World domination. That same old dream. Our asylums are full of people who think they're Napoleon or God."
"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and %#$ the prom queen"
