Nine-year-old twins Gwen and Gwyneth are the ultimate survivors of Motown’s streets — A futuristic giant in the middle of dystopian Michigan. Under the protection of Roxanne, an android posing as the sisters’ guardian after their biological parents disappeared, the three scrape by across the city, waiting for a chance to leave it behind.
During a routine supply run, Gwen discovers an abandoned campervan and secretly takes a handgun and some money, hoping to make herself useful to her family. What seems like a harmless discovery soon draws unwanted attention to the fugitives.
Essence of Humanity is an upcoming 2D animated episodic series about a cast of different characters surviving living in a not-so-great high-tech future, right in the middle of the android era — An artificial, biomechanical replicants of human beings.
The narrative opens with a pilot episode — “Welcome to Motown”, which will tell the story through the lives of two siblings and an android, who were unfortunate enough to be stuck in this city for over 2 years.
Filth of the cyberpunk streets, warm, family moments in a world that is destroying itself, and the question of the connection’s essence — Can machine and a human form a bond? And what meaning does it hold then, if one does not have a soul?
Although independently produced and unfunded, the project maintains a serious and professional approach to its production. We are seeking a small, long-term remote team of dedicated creatives and voice actors. Please read all the information below before submitting your audition.
Right now, the positions remain voluntary due to the lack of financing and the complete independence of the series. Although the goals are ambitious and the pilot is extensive, the marketing team will do its best to promote the project; Ultimately, we may secure donations and additional funding for the series trough Kickstarter.
If the pilot generates enough revenue to cover its costs, each team member will receive a predetermined percentage of the profit (based on the role). Every role will have a set maximum amount, and payments will continue until the agreed-upon sum is reached.
Full payment cannot be guaranteed, and everything will depend on what the future holds for the pilot — Something we, unfortunately, cannot know for certain at this point.
The production timeline for the series may range from one to several years. Accordingly, we seek individuals who are prepared to dedicate substantial time to the project and recognize that this is an ongoing production rather than a single-task assignment.
The ideal candidates are people who are looking for experience, portfolio development, and who are genuinely passionate about this field.
To participate in the creation of the project's pilot, you must be at least 18 years old.
We are not asking for perfect English, but at least a basic knowledge of the language is required to avoid communication issues during production.
First and foremost, we are looking for voice actors for the characters, with priority given to the three main heroines — Gwen, Gwyneth, and Roxanne, followed by the secondary characters. All the necessary information can be found in the role descriptions, so if you are a voice actor, you can head there directly.
Aside from voice-over, we are also looking for people for the visual department, audio department, and media department, specifically:
Marketing/Promotion Team (HIGHEST DEMAND)
2D Rough Animators
3D Environment Artists & 2D/3D Hybrid Background Animators (HIGH DEMAND)
2D Environment Illustrators (HIGH DEMAND)
2D Compositors (HIGH DEMAND)
2D Animation Colorists
SFX Designers
All information and requirements are provided in the descriptions of the respective roles. Please make sure to check the criteria before submitting your application!
The casting for Voice Actors will remain open for 2 to 3 months — First and foremost, we will be prioritizing VO auditions due to the high need for voice actors in order to move the production forward.
For all other roles, submissions will remain open for 6 months or longer, depending on how quickly we find all the people we need, though you will not be waiting months to get an answer — Auditions will be reviewed as soon as possible, and the answer will come just a few days later.
For your convenience, we also have the option to fill out a Google Form — https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdp6thcAJLgGi79rCNrkKiTtqGLfOFE2MLfIRFkWvd1GnMaJg/viewform?usp=header .
Please read the sections carefully, and don't forget to leave a way for us to contact you!
GOT QUESTIONS?
For any questions, you can contact the project’s director:
Email: [redacted]
Discord: kirastepanchuk
You can also leave a comment under this casting call and you will receive a response.
Want to see more Essence of Humanity related content? You can visit our website: https://essenceofhumanity.carrd.co/
Thank you to everyone who has submitted an application for the Narrator , as well as to those who continue and/or plan to apply!
Due to the high number of applications and production needs, we will be making our decision within the next week. This role will officially close for applications on October 7th.
This deadline does NOT apply to the other roles.
Have a wonderful day!
Voice Actor
A rocket-launcher worthy kid — Gwen is incredibly outgoing, friendly, and, on top of that, absolutely hyperactive; Probably the worst combination a child hiding from the public could possibly have. Loud in her expressions and terrifyingly confident, Gwen very often finds herself in the middle of an unwanted adventure, with a 100% chance of dragging her sister into it as well. Despite all of this, she never means any harm, and, at her age, she follows a rather noble idea — Protecting the small family that means the world to her.
Requirements & DirectivesThe ability to realistically portray a child's voice without making it unnecessarily squeaky or overacted. We are looking for an immersive approach to the animation's voice acting, which also means being able to perform very emotionally heavy scenes, including screaming and crying.
Gwen's voice is very expressive, matching many of her lines, and should be able to easily convey the full range of emotions she may experience. At times, her voice also has a tendency to crack slightly. You can listen to a voice claim here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/4/folders/1nKd5cWD0QCxdbe9ahFheutLXUd90hcZY (We are NOT looking for a 1:1 match or for someone to replicate the claim. The link is provided to give you a better idea of the character vision we have in mind. Your voice doesn’t need to sound similar; Focus mainly on the attitude).
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Your DEMO reel(preferably); Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC; Your social platforms, if any; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: 9-10 years old
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Egyptian.
Accent: General American or slight Arabic.
But that’s dumb! Why can they do that and I can’t!? What, am I, quote-unquote, “too young”? [The opening lines are loud and frustrated, gradually shifting into a deliberately drawn-out, mocking delivery. On “quote-unquote” and “too young,” she imitates someone else’s words with exaggeratedly low pitch and a deliberately pathetic, teasing tone]
Well, I like ’em. I think they’re funny. [Casual, conversational delivery, with a small laugh on “I think they’re funny”. Natural and understated]
NOO! Ah-Dang it! Now why would you do that, Gwyneth!? That thing was perfectly fine! Tsk… No way… [A mix of genuine surprise and disappointment. The opening is an immediate, emotional reaction, then her frustration settles into quiet, dissatisfied muttering]
Voice Actor
The “older” child in the family, seeing this role as an unbreakable duty; Even if she is only a couple of minutes older.
Unlike her outgoing, troublemaking sister, Gwyneth is reserved, cautious, and skeptical. For such a young kid, she is remarkably clever and will never miss a chance to prove it.
All the changes they’ve gone through and the forced shift from a comfortable life to semi-street survival have done little to make Gwyneth accept their new circumstances, instead making her more of a closed-off scare-cat.
Her only solace in this unfair world is her “younger” sister, around whom she seems much more alive.
The ability to realistically portray a child's voice without making it unnecessarily squeaky or overacted. We are looking for an immersive approach to the animation's voice acting, which also means being able to perform very emotionally heavy scenes, including screaming and crying.
Gwyneth’s voice is soft and relatively high-pitched. Unlike her sister, her emotional expression is much more restrained and awkward, though she is still capable of being expressive in certain moments. You can listen to a voice claim here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/4/folders/1G76RQJJZihUSTz55tsfSA6zmvI6b3V1S (We are NOT looking for a 1:1 match or for someone to replicate the claim. The link is provided to give you a better idea of the character vision we have in mind. Your voice doesn’t need to sound similar; Focus mainly on the attitude).
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Your DEMO reel(preferably); Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC; Your social platforms, if any; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: 9-10 years old
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Egyptian.
Accent: General American or slight Arabic.
“Oh my God, look, look! It’s a real bird! I’ve never seen one! [Excited and happy, her expression gradually breaks into a smile]
No, I think it's stupid, let's take a different path. I am not being a nerd, I am being smart. [Neutral, calm delivery. A little smug / know-it-all].
No-no-no Gwen please! Please let's just go, let's go. [Loud and pleading, with genuine distress; on the verge of tears].
Voice Actor
A mother by design, a mother by choice — It seems. Roxanne was originally created to care for children, and even after gaining autonomy, she still carries many of those qualities with her: She is patient, attentive, caring, and remarkably composed. Warm and charismatic, Roxanne is the kind of person who can make almost anyone feel comfortable around her.
Though not particularly soft-spoken or timid; Roxanne does not need to raise her voice to make it clear that she means business. The constant state of danger had shaped her in a certain way.
Yet, for all the choices she has made, Roxanne has never been entirely certain where her programming ends and she begins.
Ability to portray realistic emotional expression without overplaying or cartoonish exaggeration, as well as perform intense emotions, loud lines, and convey a strong sense of the “moment” when needed.
Despite the softness that seems almost inherent to it, Roxanne’s voice remains firm and assured. Her tone sits in the mid-to-low range, with natural depth. You can listen to a voice claim here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/4/folders/1iekHpsa01scD8JE_fBQzCC3UIThvkRL9 (We are NOT looking for a 1:1 match or for someone to replicate the claim. The link is provided to give you a better idea of the character vision we have in mind. Your voice doesn’t need to sound similar; Focus mainly on the attitude).
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Your DEMO reel(preferably); Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC; Your social platforms, if any; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: N/A. Intended appearance: Early 30s.
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: N/A. Southeast Asian appearance.
Accent: Any American.
Yeah? Y-Yeah, that’s me. Is there a problem? I’m sure we can work it out. [Initially slightly caught off guard, with a very brief, almost imperceptible hesitation on “Y-Yeah.” She quickly regains her composure, becoming clear and confident — Firm without sounding threatening or overly gentle]
Hey, girls. Girls. Girls! Eyes on me when I’m talking to you, would we? [Begins in a completely calm, composed tone. Her voice suddenly rises on “Girls!”, not quite a shout, but loud enough to immediately command someone's attention. She then returns to a softer tone, with a slight hint of disappointment on “would we?”. The delivery should remain fluid, with no noticeable stumbles or prolonged pauses].
Oh, that’s so nice of you. I’m sure the world never saw that invention coming… That’s great, though. Keep it up. [A slight hint of sarcasm at first. She laughs briefly, then deliberately and smoothly cuts herself off(after “coming”). Her tone shifts into one of genuine approval and satisfaction, becoming noticeably softer]
Voice Actor
No face. No personality. Just a Narrator doing his job.
Requirements & Directives
We are looking for an acting style similar to old documentaries, or anything featuring a soulless narrator voice: clear speech, deliberate emphasis on every line, and a “perfect” voice.
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Your DEMO reel(preferably); Your social platforms, if any; Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: N/A
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: N/A
Accent: Any.
Life — Not exactly a predictable or convenient phenomenon, but an incredibly sought-after and intimate one nonetheless. There’s something almost beautiful about that contrast. It catches the eye.
Voice Actor
Somewhere on the outskirts of Motown, where the industrial and technological structures gradually begin to thin out, a tiny market stands on a vast stretch of empty land — Unsponsored by anyone, built entirely through the initiative of ordinary residents of the suburban areas.
The Vendor does not disclose his name, yet he has long been known among the Market’s regular visitors as an attentive and fair man who consistently supplies goods that none of those around him could afford to obtain from the city’s shopping centers.
Requirements & Directives
Ability to portray realistic emotional expression without overplaying or cartoonish exaggeration.
Vendor’s voice is calm and composed, with occasional remarks delivered with clear emphasis.
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Your DEMO reel(preferably); Your social platforms, if any; Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: Late 40s.
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: American-Brazilian.
Accent: Any Portuguese.
And the drones are the same as always. Patrolling, herding people away from the city borders like cattle… Can’t cheer yourself up with good news this spring. Would you like a bag? [Serious and matter-of-fact, with a slight hint of sarcasm at first(more of a defensive reaction to the reality he is describing than genuine amusement). After the brief remark the tone naturally settles back into something ordinary ]
Voice Actor
Want to resolve a credit issue, report a case of fraud, or open your own account?
At the “safest” bank in the country, Bettera, you’ll be answered by the latest model of operator android, Unit OSVI0 — With a voice so calm, sincere, and friendly that the falseness begins to be felt on your very own tongue.
Requirements & Directives
The ability to integrate a “robotic speech” into an emotional performance, creating a sense of dissonance for anyone listening. Natural emotional delivery without unnecessary overacting.
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Your DEMO reel(preferably); Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC; Your social platforms, if any; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: N/A
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: N/A
Accent: Any.
Good evening! Bettera Bank, the Best Bank in the United States, on the line. You are being connected to Unit OSVI0. For your convenience, you may give me any name you wish. To do so, say, “Name. Give”
Voice Actor
A gruff man who owns a run-down motel in West Motown. Running a business here is clearly not for the faint of heart, and the owner’s personality is very much a reflection of his surroundings.
Requirements & Directives
A rough, loud voice with a sharp, abrasive delivery with a low range. Talking to him should feel like walking through a minefield. Around here, that’s how things work.
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Your DEMO reel(preferably); Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC; Your social platforms, if any; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: 50s
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Irish American.
Accent: General American.
Ma’am, don’t give me the runaround. Are you taking the number or not? …F#cking hell, that’s twice this week. It’s not like the pictures on the website are that f#cking different. [Disrespectful and openly irritated, with a dismissive attitude. After “Are you taking the number or not?”, there is a brief pause, as though he has stopped addressing the client. From “F*cking hell…” onward, he seems to be speaking to someone else nearby].
Voice Actor
A paranoid but otherwise ordinary middle-aged man who runs and lives out of an RV. Years of living in a dangerous, decaying city have made him deeply suspicious of the people around him.
Requirements & Directives
The voice should always carry a subtle sense of tension, as though he is constantly on edge. Occasional nervous chuckles and brief slips into his native language. Despite his uneasiness and paranoia, he should never sound unhinged.
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Your DEMO reel(preferably); Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC;Your social platforms, if any; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: 40s
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Latino-Mexican.
Accent: Any Spanish.
I’ve been telling you, man, someone’s up to something near my house. Cameras, man. Cameras see everything, right? Eh? Might as well lean into that stuff, get one… [Nervous and slightly tense, but trying to maintain a calm and serious demeanor]
Voice Actor
Here you can leave your voice demo or samples if none of the listed roles fit your skills or preferences.
During the production of the pilot, we may need voices for background or minor characters that only have one to few lines. In that case, we’ll review the submissions here and reach out to people whose voices may be a good fit.
Requirements
Upon auditioning, please include following information: Your age; Timezone you’re in; A way to contact you outside of the CCC; Your social platforms, if any; Any notes that you would like us to read through.
Character Profile
Age: Any
Gender: Any
Ethnicity: Any
Accent: Any
Just your Demo reel or any other examples.
Agent
We are looking for people with a strong understanding of marketing and promotion of such projects to help Essence of Humanity grow its audience and give it a chance to continue beyond the Pilot Episode.
The role involves developing a promotion strategy for the project, identifying what kind of content could attract and engage an audience, and finding opportunities to get the project in front of more people. This may include social media content, promotional campaigns, collaborations, community outreach, festival opportunities, relevant media and platforms, and other forms of exposure.
We are looking for someone who can understand the project's identity and target audience, keep up with trends in the indie animation space, and find opportunities for promotion. This is not necessarily an SMM position: Market/Promo team will work closely with the social media manager.
REQUIREMENTSUnderstanding of animation and the indie animation scene/Industry Awareness: Familiarity with how independent animation projects are developed, promoted, and presented to audiences. Knowledge of animation communities, platforms, events, creators, media outlets, and other spaces where an indie animation project could be promoted.
Marketing and promotion skills: Ability to develop promotional ideas, identify suitable platforms and audiences, and find opportunities for advertising, collaborations, features, festivals, showcases, and other forms of exposure.
Content strategy: Ability to determine what kind of content should be created to attract an audience and maintain interest in the project throughout its development.
Creativity, initiative, and being open to communication. We are looking for someone who can actively suggest and pursue new promotional opportunities rather than simply follow assigned tasks. This position is especially tied to being able to communicate with the directors and team.
Upon auditioning, please provide examples of previous marketing, promotional, community, or content-related work. Showcase of the experience promoting animation, games, films, or other independent creative projects is especially welcome.
Along with your work samples, please also provide the following: Your age; Your timezone; A way to contact you outside of CCC; Your working hours/availability; Your social media platforms, if you wish to share them; Your resume; Anything else you would like us to take into consideration.
*Say something you think would fit*
Animator
We are looking for 2D frame-by-frame animators to create rough animation shots — Unpolished animation consisting of keyframes and in-betweens.
All animators will work under the direction of our Lead Animator, creating animation in the visual style established in the pilot.
All work will be done most likely in Clip Studio Paint EX.
Experience with the software is preferred but not required.
If you are not familiar with this program, you still can audition — We will look forward to different production methods, especially regarding the rough animation.
!See the style examples: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/4/folders/1q_GKQkAHPK7HPAzmhldCfd0_YUKEkz-N
REQUIREMENTSExperience with frame-by-frame 2D animation. We are not looking for professionals with huge portfolios; However, your skills should be strong enough to comfortably meet the project’s visual style and animation requirements, as well as work with different types of shot composition.
Upon auditioning, please provide examples of your recent or current 2D frame-by-frame animations that best demonstrate your skills in this area. The examples do not necessarily have to be clean or finished, but they should show how you work with movement and character dynamics.
Along with your work samples, please also provide the following: Your age; Your timezone; A way to contact you outside of CCC; Your working hours/availability; Your social media platforms, if you wish to share them; Anything else you would like us to take into consideration.
*Say something you think would fit*
Animator
We are looking for 2D color animators to cleanly apply colors to animated characters and other elements while following the established color-keys.
Colorists will work with clean-up animation, applying base colors, details, and sometimes shadows/highlights.
All work will be done most likely in Clip Studio Paint EX.
Experience with the software is preferred but not required.
If you are not familiar with this program, you still can audition — We will look forward to different production methods.
!See the style examples: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/4/folders/1q_GKQkAHPK7HPAzmhldCfd0_YUKEkz-N
Experience with coloring 2D frame-by-frame animation and attention to details.
Upon auditioning, please provide examples of your colored 2D animation. It can be done in whatever style, all that matters is how you work with color.
Along with your work samples, please also provide the following: Your age; Your timezone; A way to contact you outside of CCC; Your working hours/availability; Your social media platforms, if you wish to share them; Anything else you would like us to take into consideration.
*Say something you think would fit*
Video Editor
We are looking for a 2D compositors to finalize animated shots and integrate the animation with the backgrounds.
The compositor will primarily work with: Color grading and overall color adjustments; Blur and depth effects where needed; Shadows on characters and shadows cast by characters; Glow and light effects; Small visual and atmospheric effects to enhance the scene.
Compositing software is flexible; Experience with After Effects, Nuke, or similar software is welcome.
Experience in animation compositing and a computer/workstation with sufficient hardware capabilities to handle the project. This is necessary to ensure high-quality exports that can later be passed on to other team members. Please note that exported files may be several gigabytes in size, so keep this in mind when considering the technical requirements.
Upon auditioning, please provide examples of your recent or current animation compositing work, showcasing how you handle color grading and shadow compositing. An example that also demonstrates your ability to work with visual effects would be a great addition. A before/after version is not required, but would be greatly appreciated.
Along with your work samples, please also provide the following: Your age; Your timezone; A way to contact you outside of CCC; Your working hours/availability; Your social media platforms, if you wish to share them; Software you will be working with; Anything else you would like us to take into consideration.
*Say something you think would fit*
Artist
We are looking for 2D artists to create backgrounds for the pilot.
Environment Illustrators will work under a clear direction to create environments matching the established visual style. Depending on the shot, this may include locations, interiors, exteriors, props, and background elements used behind animated characters.
!See the style examples: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kiYvpLBAwtn61njKAF6dB6PO4NqyE63XGJurWRX9i54/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.8menyu3m9s5r
Experience with 2D environment and background illustration. Ability to work within an established visual style. We are looking for artists who are comfortable with more realistic visual design rather than heavily stylized.
Upon auditioning, please provide examples of your recent or current environment and background artwork. Finished pieces are preferred, but work-in-progress examples are also applicable, if they go along with at least 1 finished artwork.
Along with your work samples, please also provide the following: Your age; Your timezone; A way to contact you outside of CCC; Your working hours/availability; Your social media platforms, if you wish to share them; Software you will be working with; Anything else you would like us to take into consideration.
*Say something you think would fit*
Artist
We are looking for artists who can create simple 3D environments and stylize them with 2D textures and paintovers for use in animated shots(will not be responsible for the texture creation).
The role primarily involves building simple 3D environments that can serve as a flexible foundation for backgrounds, particularly in action-heavy scenes where perspective, camera movement, and complex staging would make fully hand-drawn backgrounds more time-consuming.
REQUIREMENTS
Experience with basic 3D environment creation and modeling. We are not looking for industry-standard modelers, but we need someone who has a basic understanding of perspective, composition, and camera placement.
Upon auditioning, please provide examples of your 3D environments, stylized 3D work, 2D/3D hybrid pieces, or relevant background art. Work-in-progress examples are also welcome.
Along with your work samples, please also provide the following: Your age; Your timezone; A way to contact you outside of CCC; Your working hours/availability; Your social media platforms, if you wish to share them; Software you will be working with; Anything else you would like us to take into consideration.
*Say something you think would fit*
Audio Engineer
We are looking for SFX designers to create and/or edit sound effects for the pilot.
The role involves creating sounds for character actions, environments, movement, impacts, machinery, weapons, creatures, and other elements of the project. SFX may be created from scratch, recorded, or built by processing and combining existing sounds.
Experience creating or designing sound effects for animation, games, film, or other media. Good understanding of timing and synchronization with visual actions, and ability to create both realistic and stylized sounds depending on the scene. Familiarity with audio editing and sound processing software.
Upon auditioning, please provide examples of your SFX work, preferably including several different types of sounds or a short sound design reel.
Along with your work samples, please also provide the following: Your age; Your timezone; A way to contact you outside of CCC; Your working hours/availability; Your social media platforms, if you wish to share them; Software you will be working with; Anything else you would like us to take into consideration.
*Say something you think would fit*
