Forbidden Pages - short film
Project Overview
Forbidden Pages is a 3D animated short film that takes place in the fae realm. The Scribes are a halfling race of fae who keep the vast archives for the fae realm. Nib will be giving voiceover narration of the events, as well as engaging in dialogue with the other characters. Steele is a Changeling, which is a darker, more dangerous race of fae. The story has a mysterious overtone, and a bit of a twist ending.
Although this is ‘animated’, the tone should be realistic and serious. Think of fantasies like The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, or Carnaval Row. The characters need to feel real and believable, always.
The fae realm in our fictional universe is closely linked with the British Isles, so a light accent that suggests that is desired. It could be Irish, Scottish, or British for any other these characters, since the fae wouldn’t specifically be tied to one location. However, the accent should be light enough that it colors the voice without being so thick as to be distracting.
Requirements: A high quality recording is essential, so no USB microphones. Adjust the gain as needed to keep the whispers decently loud, and keep the shouts from peeking. The background should be free of noise naturally. WAV files are preferred, with bit rate at 24 and sample rate 48 or 88.2, but the higher the quality the better.
We will use Skype for the recording session, and use the video of the voice actors’ facial movements to assist the character animators. With this in mind, a webcam that isn’t blurry or lagging during the performance is needed. If schedules allow, having a group recording session will be preferable so the actors can react to each other more naturally.
Save your files as CharacterName_UserName_Audition.wav
We hope to move quickly once we have selected the cast, so be sure to check your messages on here regularly.
A Paypal account is preferred for payment. Payment will be after the files are received and quality checked, likely within 24 hours.
A few final notes: While this is a short film, we plan to revisit these characters in the future and would like to keep the same cast, if possible. As we build our studio more opportunities will open up for voice actors we’ve successfully worked with before, so if you are cast we would love to discuss this further at that time.
Feel free to message me with any questions. Multiple takes are allowed, if you think you have more than one interpretation for the performance. Auditioning for multiple roles is ok, as long as your voice sounds natural for the part without straining.
Text in RED isn’t meant to be spoken, but rather to give you some direction on the performance we are looking for.
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Nib is an apprentice Scribe who narrates his experience as well as having dialogue. He is well read and articulate. The twist in the story is that he is a conspirator with Steele, but that isn’t revealed until the end. He’s never done anything nefarious before, and his nerves and fear are still genuine when the danger starts. He is a ‘good guy’ in most respects, and usually as innocent as he seems. He just really, really desires the book he is forbidden to read. Capturing his nuances will be important. Use these three lines to reflect the range for this character’s performance.
And in all said imaginings, I don’t believe I ever summoned the vision of myself doing anything particularly heroic. I am just a simple Scribe, after all. (This is voiceover narration, and should sound like he is recounting the story to a friend)
Yea… Yea… Yes. And the translation amulet, too? (Too frightened to speak at first, and then recalling the amulet before realizing he probably shouldn’t have mentioned it.)
The Gnomic Tome... The very book I’d conspired with Steele to acquire, for I never could have absconded with it on my own. I am just a simple Scribe, after all. (Voiceover again, as he warmly thinks how perfectly this theft had gone. The first time revealing he was actually involved, and not a victim.)
Steele is a Changeling, and mercenary by nature. This kind of heist is small time, but he has his own reasons for taking the job. He always feels like he is in control, and can intimidate without needing to shout. He shouts when he needs to, but when he whispers that is when he is the most frightening. Sounding genuinely wicked and intimidating is the key for him, but he should never come off as psychotic or cartoony.
Don’t faint on me now, Scribe. Your Master’s life depends on you doing precisely what I tell you. (Almost pleasant, but still dark and intimidating.)
And you... put the book in the satchel! I won’t tell you again! (Like a bank robber, shouting because Nib is too frightened to move.)
Clever that... Switching the cover. (Pause) You owe me. (He is holding a knife to Nib’s throat, and speaking against his ear. He goes from darkly impressed in the first sentence to absolutely threatening in the second)
The fae are ageless, but even still Master Emrick has lived a long life. He is used to a fairly sheltered life and managing many younger Scribes. He isn’t unkind, but a bit gruff, giving the impression that Nib is one of his less stellar apprentices. There are only a few lines, but some vocalizing gasps and squawks will also be needed for when he is being roughly handled by Steele.
Why are you studying that preface yet once more? Have you not memorized its every word? (Exasperated)
The Grimoire! (In surprised relief)
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