DEVIL'S DUE
Project Overview
NOTE RE: SUBMISSIONS
Thank you to everyone who submitted!! We appreciate it. We'll be making decisions over the next few days and will be in touch with those chosen.
Devil's Due is the first of many projects, large and small, that we have planned, so even if you aren't hired for this project, we hope that you'll consider submitting in the future.
Also, there's a possibility that we re-open one or two of the roles with updated direction. And, we have several roles that weren't listed for parts in later episodes. We plan to cast a few of those from the submissions already received...but, may open those up for auditions in the next few weeks. So, keep an eye open!
--Best, Paul--Crooked Stories Theater
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Devil’s Due is a supernatural Western, scripted drama, featuring eight 10- to 12-minute, audio-only episodes scheduled for release over a seven-week period. The podcast premieres in October as Crooked Stories Production’s launch project.
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The story contains light horror elements as well as some light language, but is designed to be enjoyed by all but the youngest of listeners.
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Set in 1870s Kansas, our story follows aging professional gambler, Walt, as he travels from town to town with his new, young protege, Nathan. Walt’s past is about to catch up with him as he soon realizes that powerful forces are pressing from multiple directions.
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It’s a twisting story of betrayal and regret, family and loss, told in an unfolding style that builds to an exciting finale.
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Crooked Stories Productions is excited to partner with the amazing talent found on CastingCallClub. Our goal is to create opportunities for fellow creatives interested in top-quality storytelling. If you don’t see a role for you, please check back for future projects as Crooked Stories aims to tell stories of all types. (Our next two scheduled projects are an 8-episode quirky dramedy and an 8-episode sitcom.) Please read our company profile for more information about our company plans and goals. Also, please note our current pay policy. We value your time and talent, and look forward to building something together.
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60s, male, and 30s male in flashbacks. Traveling Wild West-era professional gambler. Tired. A bit crusty. Good guy with a tough past. He’s made choices. Now he’s paying for them. (227 lines) (Lead character)
We've always heard this character as a bit of the cliche man of the West. Raspy. Looks as rough as he sounds. But, we're open to other interpretations. Remember, though, he's worn out. And, he never was the gunslinger type. In fact, he carries a gun...but, it's not loaded. So...lean more fatherly than cowboy. Also...at this point in his life...his regrets are coming front and center. He's questioning himself more than ever.
- english
- male senior
- texan
- american (midwest)
- male adult
- general american (midwest)
- radio drama
(Confronting a pair of bandits.) You boys strike me as the something- for-nothing type. Just the type I’m looking for. That preacher--converting the town’s guilt into money--it’s a shakedown, plain and simple, but it’s a good one. Very lucrative. I need you boys to help me nip that big bag of shame he carries.
(Upon waking from being overcome with snake venom.) WALT: (GASPS) Holy hell! (COUGHS) Did you see that? Did you-- That damn snake wanted to kill me. Like it was personal. Yes, the snake. What do you think we’re talking about here? Damn thing bit me at least five times. Don’t you think if I was gonna die, I’d a done it already? No. Gather up the money. You take half, I’ll take half.
(At the site of his brother's death. 30+ years of guilt, shame. Walt's big emotional moment.) I’m sorry, brother. I tried. I tried to do the right thing. I tried to give you peace. I tried to be a father to your beautiful little daughter. I tried. I tried to give her a good home when I couldn’t. I tried to watch over her. Protect her. I just--failed.
50s/60s, male. The devil in human form. Literally. Cocksure master manipulator. He's actively manipulating every character in the story. Here to capture souls. (72 lines) Fun part. We're excited to see an actor's take on this ominous character. Don't be afraid to experiment. We're not married to any particular view of him. Is he quiet? Bold? An accent? One note, if you want to play with it...he's a snake of a man. (The story plays just a bit on snake themes.)
- english
- male senior
- american (midwest)
- radio drama
- male adult
- general american (midwest)
- texan
- surprise us
(The Preacher's introduction. He's working his way around the saloon, basically blackmailing the sinners to give him money.)The treacherous and the lecherous shall go to hell, ‘less they be saved first. For deeds done, or about to be done. Such a...productive table. (Whispering to lead character) There are them that give, them that take. But the devil always gets his due.
(One of his manipulative moments...convincing a young man to do his dirty work.) She's gone, Nathan. Her hour has passed. Yes. Be angry. Let it free. Your mother was wronged by this ugly world. If she would have had the life she deserved... And how did the world repay her? With a cold hard hand. A dark cabin and barren land. She deserved better.
If only...he...hadn’t taken it all. And now, he laughs, while he takes someone else’s money--someone else’s life--in a dirty, sin-filled saloon in Emporia.
Mid 30s/early 40s, female. Mother. Strong character out for revenge. Mature. (39 lines)
She's lived a tough life. Saw her father murdered when she was 4. Slowly learned to stick up for herself. She's equally driven by rage and the love for her son. A Kansas prairie mother in the Wild West era.
- english
- general american (midwest)
- radio drama
- american (midwest)
- texan
- female adult
- Determined
(As she's dying...about her son.) Where is he? (SOLOMON: He went to fetch the doctor.) RACHEL: It won’t make a difference. Go. Stop him. (SOLOMON: You’ll die alone.) RACHEL: Please. I don’t want him here. (SOLOMON: Rachel, he deserves--) RACHEL: I don’t want him here! (she calms,) A child shouldn’t watch their parent die. (SOLOMON: Alright. Before I go--I--I want you to know. I did the best I could.) RACHEL: I’ve never questioned. (SOLOMON It wasn’t enough, I know.) RACHEL: Not nearly.
(The lead character sees her in a vision/dream.) They’re going to betray you. Like you did me. Can you see it? What’s about to happen? They’ll take what’s yours. You’ll get what you deserve.
60s, male and 30s, male. Midwest farmer with a dark secret. Simple man. A bit gritty. (69 lines)
He's tried in his own always-failing way.
- english
- american (midwest)
- radio drama
- male adult
- male senior
- midwestern
(Younger Solomon, as he plays poker. He's got a plan, but he's playing casual.)So, Walt, been a year now. You gonna settle down anytime soon? Don’t seem right taking that girl all around. Tell that to my wife. I swear, she’s fixin’ to leave me. Prolly true. Still, it’d be nice. You know. To have a kid.
(Older Solomon. As his secret is being revealed. Off the line: What's he talking about? Still fighting to cover.) I don’t--I don’t know, Walt. Don’t listen to him! Shut up! Shut up! Please, Walt. He’s lying. You can’t trust him.)
30s/40s male. Not bright. Barely getting by. False confidence. Trouble-maker. (12 lines) A 2-bit bandit who cheats at cards and can't see that everyone knows it.
- male adult
- radio drama
- general american (midwest)
- american (midwest)
I got me wings and a halo, Marv. S’pose we should hit that chucklehead again tomorrow? Maybe win that ring back?
No, sir. We’ll be there.
(As he's robbing a stagecoach.) Ain’t no reason to make so much noise. It’s just a robbin’.
30s/40s male. Dirk’s brighter partner, but not by much. Wants respect he’ll never get. (23 lines) 2-bit bandit.
- english
- midwest american
- texan
- male adult
- american (midwest)
- radio drama
Surely you got more in you tonight, old man? I don’t have me an apprentice, or nothin’ . But, I don’t mind helping out with your money.
(His money's in jeopardy from a powerful scoundrel.) No, sir. I mean, I got this small stack here, but, that’s everything I have really. A man’s gotta eat.
Oh, what momma’s gonna think of me when I come home with a fancy pocket watch and a new ring.
Adult male. Aggressive. Confident. Here to do a job. (13 lines)
- english
- american (midwest)
- radio drama
- texan
- male adult
I know you’re in there. I see your horses. I’m here to execute the arrest of a young man, name unknown, for the murder of James Gillium, pastor of the Heavenly Blessings Baptist Church of Great Bend.
I’ll give you a minute to come to grips with your predicament. But, know this, I’m prepared to burn this cabin down if it’ll make you come out.
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