ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Welcome to the Brass Eagle is an original fantasy podcast series currently in development starring Mike LeBeau, E.R. Hollands, Maddi Albregts, and Connor Bushoven.
Episode 1 is in production and will be released in the first quarter of 2024. It will serve as the pilot and will launch alongside a crowdfunding campaign to secure funding for the rest of the series.
The series will have 10 episodes ranging from 30-90 minutes each. Most episodes will be self-contained while serving to progress the main narrative.
A series of teasers and mini-episodes ranging 8-12 minutes long are being developed, and will be released once a week leading up to the first episode. This casting call is for characters that only appear in those mini-episodes.
STORY
The Brass Eagle Tavern is a magical and ancient place--its walls echo with the stories of many travelers. The building gets its name from the eagle statue affixed to a clock above the central fireplace. When the clock strikes midnight, the entire tavern is whisked away and reappears somewhere new.
These mini-episodes feature a smaller cast and scope than the main series, and will serve to help generate interest in the project while expanding the lore. They will be released on all the show socials (@brasseaglepod) and official feed. The events of the mini-episodes are canonical and have larger implications for the story as a whole.
Please note that this is a non-union production. The pilot and mini-episodes are being produced on a set budget, with each actor receiving a flat rate for their participation in this episode. Payment will be via Paypal. All amounts are in USD.
The long-term goal is to raise enough to produce the entire series at a broadcast-quality level.
If the funding goals aren't reached, then the pilot will be shopped around to different podcast networks in an effort to secure funding.
NOTE: This project makes no use of generative AI, nor will actor voices be fed to AI at any point. Contracts will stipulate this as well.
ABOUT THE CREATOR
Hi! I’m Connor, a professional 3D modeler and voice actor. Welcome to the Brass Eagle is a project I’ve been developing since late 2021. I’ve worked on feature films, animated series, and advertising. You can find my full credits on my IMDb page, as well as some of my past work on my website.
ABOUT THIS CASTING CALL
While this project isn't going to be NSFW, certain episodes deal with elements of personal trauma, abuse, violence, and more. If you're considering applying, please be aware of this. For lack of a better description, we’re aiming for a PG-13 rating.
This project is LGBTQ+ friendly and contains characters of many different identities. Unless otherwise specified, actors of any identity or accent are welcome to apply to any role.
These characters are all open casting, so feel free to audition for any you feel may be a good fit. The only one with established pronouns is the fisherman, who goes by he/him; regardless, anyone is welcome to audition.
Other characters will be rewritten to better fit an actor’s preferred identity. The goal is to find actors that can embody the characters convincingly, with the details following suit!
Primary communication will be via Discord, with live directed sessions hosted over Zoom around late January/early February 2024. We anticipate that only one session will be needed per character, falling between 2-3 hours.
TO AUDITION
Please submit each audition as a .mp3.
Before uploading please title the files as YOURNAME_CHARACTERNAME_AUDITION.mp3
E.g. CONNORBUSHOVEN_FISHERMAN_AUDITION.mp3
You can do up to a maximum of 3 takes in ABCABC format. Please read the lines as written on the first take. Natural accents are generally preferred; I'm much less concerned with accents than I am with making sure the performance is believable. Since it's a fantasy setting we have a bit of flexibility in this regard. Feel free to include adlibs, accents, etc on subsequent takes.
Slating is not required. Please include contact information with your audition (email and/or discord).
You are welcome to audition for multiple characters.
Audio quality is very important to this production. High-quality USB/XLR mics are strongly preferred. Please ensure you're in a noise-free environment. We ask that you submit your auditions with no cleanup so we can get a sense of your recording environment.
Auditions close for these roles January 15, 2024 at 12 AM EST.
Hey all! Thanks so much for the huge show of interest with over 400+ auditions! It means the world that you're all so eager about the project. This casting call is officially closed. Selected actors will be contacted in the next day or so about next steps.
If you're interested in keeping up to date with the project, please follow us on social media @brasseaglepod! We'll be sharing updates and future casting calls there.
Thanks again and happy 2024!
Hey folks! Thanks so much for the amazing turnout, 50+ auditions in under a day is astounding!
I wanted to amend the original audition specifications. Based on what I've been hearing, I've decided that it would be ideal to hear the first take with your natural speaking accent. Feel free to explore with variations in takes 2/3 if you're providing those.
I'm much less concerned with the accents being consistent than I am with believable performances; since it's a fantasy setting, we have a bit of leeway in that regard.
In my own experience it's easier to get a believable performance when I'm not doing an accent, so that's the main reason I wanted to send out this update. No changes are needed from existing auditions, but actors are welcome to resubmit if they would like.
The project description has been updated accordingly. Thanks and happy auditioning!
(he/him) (Open Casting) // $25 USD
The Fisherman is a grizzled sailor, someone who has spent his entire life on the open ocean. One day, while checking his nets far out at sea, he comes across an unexpected interloper. He tends to “tell it like it is”, and is quick to point out when something feels amiss. While he may be grizzled, he isn't decrepit; I'm imagining a voice that can convey his experience on the ocean without sounding too old or frail.
FISHERMAN, to himself: Let’s see what we have here… Tsch. Just a couple flounders. I should be pulling them out by the dozen. What coulda scared them off…?
FISHERMAN, calling out to shore: You’re FINE? We’re a dozen miles from the mainland and this is the first time I’ve seen anyone out this far! Do you need a ride back to shore? // CASTAWAY: Nope, I’ve already told you I’m fine! Thank you! // FISHERMAN: …You know you’re the only one on this island, right?!
FISHERMAN, exasperated (to themself): By the gods, he’s doomed. (calling out) …That’s a hermit crab! It ain’t edible. // CASTAWAY: …I’ll be fine! // FISHERMAN: You’re gonna starve to death if you can’t catch anything!
(Open Casting) // $25 USD
The Bookseller is a traveler with a cart filled with merchandise they’ve been looking to unload. They’ve spent a lot of time on the open road looking over their shoulder, and come across a peculiar inn one night as the sun sets
BOOKSELLER, reading: “Brass Eagle Inn. Food and board. Travelers, inquire within.” Huh. Odd place. A drink would be welcome, though. // [BOOKSELLER steps down from the wagon and ties up the horse. They pat her side.] // BOOKSELLER: Sit tight, girl. I won’t be long.
BOOKSELLER: It’s probably too rich for my taste. How much for a glass? // BARTENDER, flippant: Eh, two silver a bottle. // BOOKSELLER, aghast: That’s…at that price, you’re letting me rob you. You know how hard that stuff is to get?!
BOOKSELLER: I run–well, ran–a book shop. Sold lots of arcana: tomes, scrolls, spellbooks, esoterica. With all the stuff recently being said about witches, magic, etc etc, I was getting a lot of nasty looks thrown my way. No one would buy my stock, and I couldn’t bear to see them burned. My options were limited back home, y’know? Now, I’m looking for greener pastures. More…enlightened ones.
(Open Casting) // $25 USD
The Blacksmith is accompanying their old friend the Bard to a strange new bar that seems to have popped up overnight. They’re mildly interested in the place, if perhaps a bit unnerved–but are really just there because their friend promised to pay. The Blacksmith is a bit more skeptical/wary of their surroundings the Bard is, but not to an extent that would be grating. They're much more content to keep their head down and take in the sights.
BLACKSMITH, looking around: Have to say, I did not think this place was real. // BARD: What, you didn’t believe me? // BLACKSMITH: Not really, no. I was mostly humoring you because you said you were buying drinks.
BLACKSMITH, shrugging: I mean, yeah, it’s interesting, sure. Very weird, but…interesting. By the way–guy at the bar looks like he’s making the rounds now. Want me to flag him down so we can order?
BARTENDER, obviously uncomfortable: I…ah…hm. // BLACKSMITH, trying to save face: You…don’t have to answer that. Sorry about my friend, they’re a…bit excited about this place. // BARD: Hey, come on—
(Open Casting) // $25 USD
The Bard is a starry-eyed person who has dragged their old friend the Blacksmith along to a peculiar new bar that seems to have popped up overnight in their hometown. They’re enthusiastic to be here, as it is a place they’ve heard all manner of stories about. The Bard is extroverted and sometimes a bit theatrical, but ultimately their performance should be grounded and believable.
BARD, feigning hurt: I’m hurt. Taking advantage of me like that. // BLACKSMITH: Well, you have to admit–the whole story was pretty unbelievable. // BARD: I’ll give you that. I spent years looking for it, you know?
BARD: I’m sorry, you don’t think it’s fascinating that this place only ever shows up somewhere for one day? And hardly ever twice in the same location!
BARD (to Bartender): Nah, ignore them. They have no taste! Behind the bar…did I spy a cask of Eastern March blackberry? I’ve heard excellent things about that.
