Countdown to silence (Kinetic Novel)
Project Overview
Project Overview:
Countdown to Silence is a somewhat short kinetic novel (11,000 words) which for the most part is already completed and we're now moving on to everything sound based including voice acting, music, and sound effects. Those cast to the project will be provided with a copy of the current version of the kinetic novel and a voice acting script that is already prepared, reading the kinetic novel is optional but it may help you get a better understanding of the story, emotions, and where and how your lines will be used.
Upon completion I currently plan to release this project for free on Itch.io, that said they do allow for people to voluntarily donate some money for free projects there, I do not expect or plan on such a thing but given the possibility I'd like people to understand and agree that they're doing this on a volunteer basis, this is not a commercial project by nature.
If we do not have enough or the auditions we get are in some way unusable or ill-fitting we will move the deadline back by 2 weeks, and then again by 3 weeks again if we still don't have enough, After that I'll close auditions from casting call club seeing what I can do contacting people I already know and will cancel the voice acting component if after all of that it doesn't work out
The story:
"Young people have started to develop ability to kind of supernaturally "see" more information than they should, our protagonist Josh sees digital timers above everyone's head counting down to the next time someone speaks near him. After the numbers above the head of his friend Kyle disappear and he's soon after seen being taken to hospital. Rumors about school say that Logan, one of the bad boys from another class may be responsible for Kyle being found injured at the bottom of the stairs, Josh tries to get to the bottom of what happened...
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Latest Updates
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Thank you everyone for all your wonderful auditions for this project, I had to make quite a few tough decisions about who ultimately got some of the parts in the end and I'm confident that this project will be voiced by some very talented people well suited to their roles. As for music contributors it might take a little while before I can get to you since I have a bit to set up with the voice actors first. Thank you for your interest in the project and for reading this update, I'm not quite sure yet how long it will take to finish the audio part of this kinetic novel but if you hang around itch.io maybe you'd like to keep an eye out for this project in a few weeks or months and read the finished version when it's done? :)
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Minor roles need more attention
Due to a lack of applicants for some of the minor roles I have moved all the roles with less than 3 auditions to the top to enhance visibility Also I'm not sure where people got the idea from but the science teacher isn't necessarily Irish, you can keep doing irish auditions if you wish, but if it's not your natural accent please include an audition for it in your regular voice too It's necessary to fill these minor roles to get everything in the story voiced, but given how many of the roles have applicants I could cast in the roles I will only be pushing back the casting deadline by one week instead of 2, if you know anyone who might be able to fill the roles of Josh's Mother, and Kyle/Sasha's parent it would help if you could suggest the part to them Looking forward to working with you all Plotline_Progenitor
These are her only 2 lines in the story, you need do no further work in this role than make your audition
(Worried/alarmed) Josh, thank God you picked up! Are you okay? I heard something terrible happened to one of the students at your school!
(Saddened/shocked) That's awful! Sweetie come home from school early okay? We'll drive down to the hospital right away to see him!
The story is currently written with this Being Kyle and Sasha's mother, but I don't see a reason why this couldn't be their father instead.
Given it's currently written as their mother a slight bias will be shown in favour of female applicants but men can still apply
(Worked up worried, little outburst of anger as a result) Josh! Why did it take you so long to answer?
(Panicked worry) I can't reach Sasha do you know what's happened to her!?
(Calm, explaining) We've already sorted things out with the principal for you to come with us, I'll talk to you more when we get there
These are their only 3 lines in the story, so you need do no further work than making your application
(Casually, pleased with their work) You can turn in your worksheets in the tray set up there on the left side of the table and that should be all for today, thank you, you've done well
(Shocked, angry, enforcing the rules) LOGAN! Vandalism of school property is a serious offence!
(Worked up and a bit angry trying to deal with a rulebreaking student who's not listening) Hold it young man! Stop! ... YOU'RE PAYING FOR THAT WINDOW!
The nurse is currently written into the story as a man so some bias will be shown in favor of male auditions, but women can still apply
(Somber but professional) His injuries are pretty severe... He had serious bruises and he's not breathing well. The doctor has done everything she can but it's too early to tell how this will end
(As if trying to protect someone from a very sad sight) I wouldn't recommend going through that door to see him right now
(Empathy/attempted comfort) Take all the time you need
Mister Baxton is a bit more huffy and stern of a teacher concerned with getting through the work on time.
These are his only 3 lines in the story, so you need do no further work than making your application
(No nonsense serious voice) Alright class, return to your seats
(Lightly scolding) Open your textbooks to page twenty eight, we've got to speed through this to make up for your slow pace yesterday. Luckily today is mostly revision of two weeks ago so I expect the best out of you
(Business like) And that just about wraps everything up for today, remember that homework is due on Friday.
While I don't plan to have any music individually made for the project I will probably go searching for creative commons and or "free with attribution/crediting music".
If you are a composer with already completed tracks of music you'd like to share or to try and promote your work through inclusion in the kinetic novel feel free to post some links through auditions to this role and I'll give them a listen, if they suit what I'm going for in a scene I'll contact you about using them.
Say something you think would fit
Kind of a loser, and a closet fan of magical girl anime despite being a teenage boy in high school, a little introverted and submissive, but very determined and unyielding when it seems as though someone has hurt his friend
Josh is the main character of this story and has quite a lot of lines since he also reads a lot of the narration, if you're able to edit your lines in such a way that there's a bit of an echo or something to make it sound like he's thinking rather than speaking in some of his lines this would help your audition stand out.
The role of Josh will be a reasonably big role to play and you "will" have to record a lot of lines, please bear this in mind while applying because this isn't a role you should apply to halfheartedly and you will need to turn everything in to finish
(Friendly and helpful but kind of doubting) Well I mean... I can help you look around here in case it fell out of his pocket or something but beyond that I don't think there's a lot either of us can really do
(Upbeat sarcasm) Hi! You might not know it yet but you're going to talk to me at 8:30 tonight! Any idea what that's gonna be about?
(Sadly) I don't know... I was looking for Kyle the rest of that day hoping I could find out but now... Now I just don't know anymore... I thought having an I/O would make me know more not less...
Josh's popular best friend and classmate who still teases him a bit now and then, he can see dialogue options when talking to people just like in a video game, friendly and cool, and a good big brother to Sasha
While not as significant as with Josh if you're able to edit your lines in such a way that there's a bit of an echo or something to make it sound like he's thinking rather than speaking in some of his lines this would help your audition stand out. As there is a brief section of the story where Kyle is the one narrating events
Character Image by annako
(Being "too" supportive in a way that it's teasing) Hey you like what you like man, you do you! Stand boldly against the crowd and announce proudly: "I have girly taste in anime shows!"
(Dark simmering anger he's barely contained to talk to his friend) Sorry man, I don't have time to talk now, something really urgent came up and I have to go check something out right the hell now!
(Kind of depressed and gloomy, a bit apologetic) I promised Sasha I wouldn't tell anyone about it but.. I really thought with enough time she'd at least tell you about it. I kept hoping but it never happened... And I'm sorry you've had to go this long without knowing anything...
Kyle's little sister who's become kind of skittish and timid after something that happened recently involving the discovery of her ability to "see" a certain kind of information, used to be close friends with Josh but now kinda avoids everyone as though afraid, used to be a lot more bold and confident trading jabs with Josh over who the best character in various magical girl shows was
Character Image by Konett
(Meekly) Well I ordered a bag of chips but the machine won't give them to me...
(Brash/argumentative) Oh please, you know next time we see Haru he's going to be a villain!
(Teary/upset almost afraid to ask the question) Do you think someone really pushed Kyle down those stairs?
The rough and tough bad boy character who is basically the "suspect" in the story, talks a big game threatening people and sounding aggressive but turns out to have a soft side
Character image by WaffleMeido
(threatening rumble in his voice like a bad boy) Hey! No one talks to me that way! You gonna apologize or do I have to "teach you some manners"?
(Initially annoyed but slowly coming to the scared realization that he seriously injured someone) Dude, get up... Dude? Hey... come on seriously this isn't funny... Oh.... oh crap... Oh crap, crap, crap, crap, crapcrapcrap!
(Frustrated/confused rage as if you're trying to threaten someone into making some sense) WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND!?
A bubbly weird, impulsive girl with a bit too much energy, has the ability to see where and when things she considers "exciting" are going to happen, appears basically out of nowhere at one point startling Josh and absolutely insisting on following him on his investigation "because it's so cool! Like a spy movie!
Maddie is a very energetic character and several of her lines throughout the story are spoken with very different emotions
Character image by Mugかぶり
(Cheerfully) Watch'a doin'?
(Excited) My IO is awesome! It lets me see where and when exciting stuff is gonna go down like timed quest markers in a videogame!
(Pouting sulky voice) Awwwww... I was looking forward to this all week and it's over already?
Note: This is not a mistake on part of the casting director it's part of the story that Josh is struggling to remember this guys name the whole time
A friendly and chill guy from the "gadget club", somewhat annoyed that a special watch with a recording device in it went missing after Kyle's injury
Character Image by Konett
(Relieved/pleased, calling out in greeting) Hey! You're Kyle's friend Josh right?
(Annoyed disapproval) *Sigh* I bet Logan took it, he's got a bit of a reputation for stealing things
(Alarmed, objecting/refusing) Wait you can't just do that! He'll just beat you up and steal the watch again!
The friendly English teacher has a few lines toward the start of the game
(Satisfied, formally) And that concludes this chapter
(Musing) Let's see... How long is left in this period? Hmm... And the next chapter is this many pages?
(Friendly, like he's letting the students off easy on work with a wink) Tell you what we'll start the next chapter tomorrow.
This part consists only of this one line, just by auditioning you'll have finished everything you'd need to do playing this character
(Startled/intimidated) No Paul didn't show up, I think he's skipping today
These are the only lines the doctor has in this story, you need do no further work than to make your audition
The doctor is currently written into the story as a woman so some bias will be shown in favor of female auditions, but men can still apply
(Satisfied to have tied up all the loose ends) That should just about cover everything you need to know, you can head out and see your friends now, they're waiting for you.
(Concerned mumble, but not quietly) Hopefully they'll be able to handle the bad news
(Professional/businesslike/serious) I still have a few things to discuss with your mother about your care, and I need you to abide by them once you get home okay? So listen to her, it's for the sake of your health.
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