I would like to animate a few clips of characters from Dostoevsky's novel, the Idiot. This is a classic work of Russian literature with very amusing and distinct characters who speak in long philosophical blocks of dialogue/ monologue.
The text I have included for the auditions is all I need for the Insta reels I hope to put out over the next several months. Just a few (relatively) short clips for each character.
This is a personal project that is not monetized.
I apologize for not posting any new animation clips lately. I had a big move and started a Blender modeling class that’s turning out to be pretty intensive. However, I haven’t forgotten about the Dostoevsky project or the great performances the voice actors provided, and I look forward to finishing up the next clip (Ferdeshenko) as soon as I get time. Thank you for your patience!
I tried out some new techniques, and it was a learning curve, but so much fun!
You can see the full size version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3-GYKE4hR7w?si=-NuprBK-V4G6cjM8
Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions for the next ones!
With gratitude,
Macrina
This character has a challenging mix of personality traits! She is alluring but unhinged.
Nastasia is a 25 year old woman with a voice that can range from soft and sincere to intense and commanding to maniacal. Educated and poised, with an edge of pain and resentment. Ideally with a slight Slavic accent.
You thought I should accept this good child’s invitation to ruin him, did you? That’s Totski’s way, not mine. He’s fond of children. Come along, Rogojin, get your money ready! We won’t talk about marrying just at this moment, but let’s see the money at all events. Come!
I am a bit of a dreamer myself, and I used to dream of you once. Very often during those five years down at his estate I used to dream and think, and I always imagined just such a good, honest, foolish fellow as you, one who should come and say to me: ‘You are an innocent woman, Nastasia Philipovna, and I adore you.’
I shall so much admire you if you put your hands into the fire for my money. All here present may be witnesses that the whole packet of money is yours if you get it out. If you don’t get it out, it shall burn. I will let no one else come; away—get away, all of you—it’s my money! Rogojin has bought me with it. Is it my money, Rogojin?
Aristocratic, self absorbed, insincere and patronizing. Slight Russian accent is preferable. Includes a French phrase.
Totsky is feigning concern for a woman he has taking advantage of, but his real concern is that she's causing him trouble. He considers himself cultured, well-respected and magnanimous, and would never imagine he could be to blame.
At that time Dumas-fils’ beautiful work, La Dame aux Camélias—a novel which I consider imperishable—had just come into fashion. In the provinces all the ladies were in raptures over it... at least those who had read it. Everyone inquired for camelias; everybody wanted them. I ask you: how many camelias can you get hold of when they're in demand for every ball?
But—recollect, Nastasia Philipovna, you gave a promise, quite a free one, and—and you might have spared us this. I am confused and bewildered, I know; but, in a word, at such a moment, and before company, and all so-so-irregular, finishing off a game with a serious matter like this, a matter of honour, and of heart, and—
What might not have been made of such a character combined with such beauty! Yet in spite of all efforts—in spite of all education, even—all those gifts are wasted! She is an uncut diamond.... I have often said so. (sigh)
This is a court jester type character. Comedic, goofy, over-the top, cringe. Slight Russian accent is preferable.
You see, excellency, all the world is witty and clever except myself. I am neither. As a kind of compensation I am allowed to tell the truth, for it is a well-known fact that only stupid people tell ‘the truth.’ Added to this, I am a spiteful man, just because I am not clever. If I am offended or injured I bear it quite patiently until the man injuring me meets with some misfortune. Then I remember, and take my revenge.
What is the matter, excellency? I know how to keep my place. When I said just now that we, you and I, were the lion and the ass of Kryloff’s fable, of course it is understood that I take the role of the ass. Your excellency is the lion of which the fable remarks: ‘A mighty lion, terror of the woods, Was shorn of his great prowess by old age.’
I have no wit, Nastasia Philipovna, and therefore I talk too much, perhaps. Were I as witty, now, as Mr. Totski or the general, I should probably have sat silent all the evening, as they have. Now, prince, what do you think?—are there not far more thieves than honest men in this world? Don’t you think we may say there does not exist a single person so honest that he has never stolen anything whatever in his life?
A 27 year old Russian merchant. He's a bit rough around the edges. I imagine him with a rather gruff voice, full of anger and bitterness. Slight Russian accent is preferable.
I was walking about the Nefsky one fine day, prince, in my father’s old coat, when she suddenly came out of a shop and stepped into her carriage. I swear I was all of a blaze at once. Then I met Zaleshoff—looking like a hair-dresser’s assistant, got up as fine as I don’t know who, while I looked like a tinker.
‘Don’t flatter yourself, my boy,’ said he; ‘she’s not for such as you; she’s a princess, she is, and her name is Nastasia Philipovna Barashkoff, and she lives with Totski, who wishes to get rid of her because he’s growing rather old—fifty-five or so—and wants to marry a certain beauty, the loveliest woman in all Petersburg.’
I’d buy him off for a hundred roubles, any day pfu! Give him a thousand, or three if he likes, poor devil, and he’d cut and run the day before his wedding, and leave his bride to me! Wouldn’t you, Gania, you blackguard? You’d take three thousand, wouldn’t you? Here’s the money!
