Hey, everyone! I'm Joe Bozlinski, AKA ValiantShadow. I've been a voice actor off and on for over fifteen years now, recently started trying to go pro. But the Sims Machinima community is where I first got my start, all those years ago, and this is my attempt at making a show of my own!
Dreamshaper is a very intense, contemporary sci-fi project, with characters created in The Sims 4, then rendered out in Blender. It follows the once-renowned novelist Trenton Westalke, returning to his hometown for the first time in over sixteen years, after recovering from a brutal, public breakdown. Against his better judgement, he quickly becomes entrenched in the lives and struggles of his students. All the while, the machinations of his high school sweeheart turned evil, scheming CEO, Arcadia LaVelle, draw him inexorably into a growing conspiracy, as the queen of the city's underworld, Mallory Quinn, takes an unhealthy interest in him as well.
What's the connection between him and Arcadia's daughter, Chloe? Who are these weird men in suits, following him everywhere? Is Mallory actually a witch? What's going on with his therapist? Why are so many people threatening his life? What isn't his boss telling him? What the hell is Arcadia really up to? Will Trent ever find safety and stability again? Will he even make it out of this city alive?
This is my first time doing something like this, and I'm really excited bout it. I'm hoping this is my chance to bring something unique and fun to a community that helped get me my start, practically a lifetime ago.
Just a couple of things to note!
-This project is very intense
We're tackling a number of mature themes here. Drug abuse, stalking, sex and sexuality, domestic violence, mental illness, human experimentation, child abandonment-- just to name a few. I'm not planning on anything explicit, but I do expect things will still get heavy, so please keep that in mind! I always do my best to accommodate my actors where I can, so if you're brought on board and something really doesn't sit well with you-- talk to me about it, and we'll see what we can do! But I just want everyone to know what kind of show this is before they audition!
-18+
As stated above, we're going to some dark places with this one. So I'm not looking to involve minors. People younger than 18 will not be considered. I wish you the best of luck on other projects!
-You've gotta be able to roll with swearing
I curse like a sailor, and so do my characters. If foul language offends you, no hard feelings, but this project probably won't be to your taste. Just a heads up! You've gotta be willing to drop some f-bombs and sexual references at this particular party!
-Clean mics, please!
I'm not expecting miracles! This is unpaid, and a lot of us are just here to have fun and make cool stuff. Hell yeah, right on. Just please try to keep background noise to a minimum, and make sure I can hear you.
-As many takes as you like
I'm not a stickler about multiple takes. When you're auditioning, if you wanna give me one, I'm cool with it. If you're cast, and you just want to do one-- that works for me too. I just might chase you down and ask you to redo some stuff in that case-- but I promise to be a gentleman about it!
-Discord!
I'll be making a Discord server for this project. If you don't have a Discord account, make sure you get one before you audition! I'll be linking the server to everyone using CCC's messaging system, once everyone is cast. So keep an eye out!
-Don't slate, please!
Don't. Slate. Pleaaaaaaaaase. I love you. It just wastes time, so please don't do it! If you slate, I'm gonna assume you didn't read the instructions, and your audition's getting a big ol' yeet. Don't do that to me or to yourself! I appreciate you.
I think that's it! Best of luck, everyone! If you want to reach out to me, feel free to message me on here, or hit me up on Discord-- you can find me under ValiantShadow.
Can't wait to hear from you!
Hey, everyone! Thanks for all the great auditions so far!
We've got some solid options already, but I decided to extend the deadline early, to maximize the opportunity for people to get in here and submit. I NEVER cast early, so rest assured, you'll have until Halloween now to get your reads in!
I'm really excited to hear what else people come up with! And please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. My Discord is ValiantShadow.
Best of luck!
Arcadia LaVelle, powerful science and tech mogul. She's the main antagonist of the series, and she is up to some crazy, trippy, nefarious things that we'll learn more about as the show progresses.
She's also Chloe's mother, though her parenting leaves a great deal to be desired. She's very cold and distant towards her daughter, and usually when she speaks to her, it's to complain that she's not the daughter she wishes Chloe were. She holds both great resentment and suppressed longing for Trent, as well. Happy to see him again, but still filled with hurt over how they left things when they were young lovers.
Truth be told, Arcadia is a monster, obsessed with pursuing her goals at any costs. Whether or not there's any hope of redemption for her is one of the key questions of the series.
I know you won't understand this, Aria. I know this hurts. I can't imagine the pain you must be in. But trust me when I tell you... your suffering is the key to a better world for us all.
[Distant, dethatched] Hello, sweetheart. How was school?
[In physical pain, after a seizure-like event, and speaking in quiet anger]No dreams without sacrifice. Isn't that right, Trent?
Mallory Quinn rules the city's underworld. She's vicious, unpredictable, and utterly terrifying. Her fascination with the occult has lead some to speculate that her rise to power over the last several years is the work of her colluding with demonic forces. Mallory has always insisted that's silly-- but always with a little grin. She speaks in a very theatrical way, presenting herself as being far more reckless and erratic than she actually is. It's a very carefully constructed character, meant to keep those around her in line. And in truth, it's very lonely and exhausting for her. The person who plays her will have to be able to do the wild and crazy, but also tired, vulnerable, and mundane.
She has her fingers in many different pies, as it were: drugs, guns, prostitution. But she is very particular about not involving "innocents"-- people outside of the criminal sphere. She cares deeply for her people, but isn't above reprimanding them harshly, should the need arise.
She becomes involved with Trent through Chloe, and she starts to pursue him rather relentlessly. (Imagine if goth yandere Al Capone were your stalker.) But perhaps there's more to her than first appears. When put up against Arcadia LaVelle, there's a question of just who the greater evil might be.
[Lightly threatening / tormenting Chloe] Is that the kind of woman your mother raised, Chloe, dear? The type who blames others for her failures? I have to say, I always thought much more... highly of you.
[Trying to convince Trent to leave the room, so that her and her associates can... deal... with Chloe.] If I were to have Ainsley here dispose of the young lady's leverage on you... what would you do then?
[Trying to unbalance Trent. Really playing up the crazy act.] I like you, Trenton. You smell... absolutely insane.
A mysterious woman who's been Trent's constant companion for a few years now, ever since he left the Brookside Institute. He's the only one who can see and hear her, and the only other person who knows about her existence is his therapist, Corrine. She can move freely through physical barriers, fade in and out of sight, and she can change the appearance of her clothing seemingly at will.
Lydia is incredibly loyal to Trent, always ready to encourage and advise him-- though her advice is sometimes, perhaps, not the wisest to follow through on. Lydia is very neurotic, sarcastic, and bold. Often telling Trent things he doesn't want to hear, but that she thinks he should.
As the series progresses, Lydia struggles more with her origins, unsure as to who or what she is-- whether or not she's some sort of spirit, otherworldly being, or a manifestation of Trent's troubled psyche. She longs to have a life for herself, and to be able to physically experience the world around her.
She shows occasional jealousy when it comes to other women in Trent's life, though whether that's down to romantic feelings on her part, or simply fear of losing the only human she can seemingly interact with-- who can say? She also does not like Chloe very much.
[Trent's just asked her why she's appearing to him in a rather revealing outfit.] Moral support! First day, new job--! I would've gone with the cheerleader look, but considering the circumstances, I thought that might've been a little... well, you know... poor taste.
[Exploding with rage at Mallory, after she threatens to hurt Trent-- though she can't hear her] Hey. I'll kill you, you cray bitch. Do you hear me? You touch him and I'll tear your soul right the fuck out of you and I will show it to you while you fade away. Don't you fucking dare.
[Trying to comfort Trent in a precarious situation] A little perseverance, some fast-talk, and a shit-eating grin! Isn't that how you normally accomplish things?
One of Mallory's most loyal employees. Loves her more than anything. Would absolutely die for her without hesitation. As the series goes on, Ainsley's arc involves her finding a purpose in her life outside of being Mallory's fixer. But make no mistake, she's a ruthless woman who will do terrible things without hesitation, if it's what Mallory needs from her. Though she does have a soft spot for children, and for those suffering from serious mental illness. Echoes, perhaps, of her youth.
[Speaking to Trent. Very cold and short.] Ms. Quinn likes you. I don't.
[Threatening Chloe] My job isn't to ask questions. My job is to fix problems. Are you a problem, Ms. LaVelle?
[A little humor on her part. Still very stern, but maybe with a touch of warmth] I had fun once. Hated it.
Mysterious identical men under Arcadia's employ. They seem seem impossibly strong and all but impervious to harm. Lately, they've been following Trent around, for reasons he doesn't understand.
The Watchers are seemingly without emotion, only thinking of carrying out the orders given to them by Arcadia. Play the cool, unflappable, but not monotone. Think more like the Observers from Fringe, if you want a point of comparison! But do your own thing! Show me what you've got.
[Giving a status report to Arcadia] She made contact. The bridge works as intended. We should be all set to move on to phase two.
Trent's therapist. Secretly a very troubled woman herself, Corrine's biggest passion in life is helping others-- even though she seems powerless to help herself sometimes. She's currently struggling with addiction, and trying to stay clear of a dangerous stalker from her past. Even so, she's always ready to put on a brave face for her clients and her loved ones-- perhaps to a fault.
Trent's got a bit of a crush on her, and they're both aware of it, though Trent's doing his best to put it out of his head. Meanwhile, early on in the series, Mallory leverages Corrine's drug problem to get her to give up Trent's files. It's a dark moment for her, and it becomes a heavy secret between the two of them.
[Gently, during a therapy session] It's all right to fall apart sometimes, you know? I think... when you look at the world we're living in... shit, it's almost like, what the hell else are you supposed to do? I get it. Really. But the important thing is pulling ourselves back together when the dust settles. Sometimes we need some help, to make that happen. And you know what? That's totally okay.
[Nervous, having found Ainsley sitting in her office, unannounced, trying to reclaim control of the situation] Miss, I'm... I'm sorry, but you'll have to make an appointment. You can't be here.
[Coming unglued. Yelling so her nearby stalker can hear.] I'm done fucking around, do you hear me? You either kill me right fucking now, or you go away and you leave me alone! I'm done humoring you, jackass! I'm not playing with you anymore!
The principal at the local high school. Trent's boss, and old friend from back when they were teenagers. She went out on a limb for him, trying to help him get back on his feet after his big breakdown, by getting him a job at her school. She ends up covering for him a lot, as things get crazier over the course of the series, much to her eternal frustration, though she cares for him a great deal.
Having recently come out as bisexual, extricating herself from a doomed marriage, Des is rediscovering herself, trying to resist despair over a sense of "wasted time" in her life. She's a very no-nonsense, take charge kind of woman, who knows what she wants, and isn't going to hold back on going after it anymore.
This character was envisioned as black, so I'd strongly prefer black VAs for this role. Please keep that in mind!
Trent, seriously-- why do you hate me? Why are you so utterly determined to complicate my life?
You left school, with a student in tow, before the last bell even rang. People saw the two of you, Trent. I'm sure you weren't up to anything-- I don't know, fucking deplorable-- but I'm sure it was incredibly stupid, and I'm equally sure it's going to be a big fucking problem for me. Am I wrong? Because holy shit, I would love to be wrong.
Arcadia's not the hippie-dippie-peace-and-love-and-unshaven-armpits warrior poet pothead she was when we were kids, okay? She's fucking evil incarnate. Stay clear of her, Trent, she'll fucking eat you. And I mean you, specifically. She fucking hates you.
Trent's aggressive, uncouth agent. A very well to do career woman and patron of the arts, Julia's an earnest fan of Trent's work, and wants nothing more than to see him return to the writing world. Her morals are questionable, and her manners are... heh. She's vain, crass, and over the top. Have fun with her, give it 100 percent, then give it more. Think like... femme Tarantino, or Joseph Farris, if you follow video game culture.
Dude, you're slumming it. You're totally slumming it. You're an English teacher now? God, this is a fucking travesty. Write, you fucker! WRITE!
Listen. Dude. I believed in you, right? When nobody else did. And I still fucking do. So you need to pull your head out of your ass, crawl back out of that godforsaken nostalgia pit, and give me some goddamn pages that I can wave at the big three like a piece of delectable artisan cheese.
[Leaving a voicemail] Patterson has my fucking number, okay? Yeah. That's right. THAT Patterson. Me and Jimmy? we're like THIS. But I don't want Jimmy. Okay? Are you listening to me, Trent? I want *you*. So stop fucking playing schoolteacher and come make us both a truly disgusting amount of money, please,, please, PLEASE. Right, thanks, good talk, byyyyyye!
Faraday is Arcadia's chief scientist on her ultimate project. Arcadia may be a monster, but he's something else entirely. After fleeing his home country to avoid charges for his truly abhorrent experiments on unwitting test subjects, Arcadia took him in-- specifically for his interest and expertise in human cloning.
Faraday lives in a world all his own. He's rash, completely devoid of social cues, and rapidly loses his composure if he's interrupted while in thought. Rumor has it that lab assistants who irritate him tend to suffer grave... accidents. He has a sick fascination with Chloe and her "potential". While Arcadia's working on her master plan, it seems that Faraday has an agenda all his own.
Faraday is excitable, often tripping over his words and stammering profusely. But he's also very quick to anger, and outbursts mid-sentence are not uncommon for him.
[Speaking of one of his scientific rivals back in his homeland] Please. Why would I trouble myself with the opinions of such an amoeba of a man? No, no, no, no, no. My mistake, I'm sorry, I'm sorry-- that would be a horrible insult. To amoeba, that is.
[He's talking about dissecting Chloe, just... so you know.] Madam LaVelle-- if I may. Perhaps if you were to let me extract more material... straight from the source, as it were... we could... expedite the process.
[Raging at some hapless assistants after being scolded by Arcadia, compensating for feeling small] And what is it you think you're looking at, hmm? Get back to work, you useless drones! Or I'll have your children turned into protoplasmic goop and have them fed to you like little fucking cups of Jello. I'm partial to the green ones, myself. If anyone cares.
One of the students in Trent's creative writing class. She's a gossip hound, and a member of the school paper, with her eyes set on becoming a journalist-- until her career as a novelist takes off, of course. Big fan of Trent's work. Secretly dealing with a lot back at home.
You didn't hear? He's the new English teacher.
Chloe, Promethean Heart was pure art, okay? Bite your tongue. Besides. He's cute...
Another one of Trent's students. Chloe's best friend, insomuch as she has one. Bit of a pothead, dethatched from a lot of her peers. I'm picturing someone perpetually exhausted-- physically and mentally-- who never quite sounds present. A little bit of vocal fry, maybe. But as ever, make it your own, do your thing!
What's the point of it all, anyway? Brooke's got goals. Your mom's got more money than god. The fuck am I gonna do, Chloe? I'm never getting outta here.
All right, that's cool, you and the weirdo teacher go back to... running around doing secret shit, or whatever. I'm going back to bed. 'Night.
A shy, quiet, troubled kid in Trent's class. Currently dealing with bullies. Bit of an outcast. Trent and the rest of the class help him find his voice over the course of the series.
Aren't you supposed to be a famous writer or something?
I shouldn't even be here, man. I can't write for shit. My mom wanted me to take this class.
A very smart but very angry kid in Trent's class. Very little patience for other people. Thinks he's got it all figured out. He has a real talent for writing, but his arrogance and his aversion to opening up to others robs him of vital experiences.
My dad says your books are terrible.
It's not real literature. It's trash. Why do I even care?
Oh, please, go back to your silly YA novels, romanticizing abuse and propping up vapid female protagonists with heterochromia and no other personality besides being a bitch.
![higurashi: when they cry fandub [episode 1 & 2]](https://d1m9vqlvl3fy94.cloudfront.net/project/attachment/330201/default_1127198Thumbnail.png)
