Full Steam Ahead! [ANIMATED PILOT]
Project Overview
ABOUT THE PILOT:
A new engine called Alex moves to Raildale to start a new life, but is made fun of by Malcolm for his strange appearance. Alex wants to prove his worth to Malcolm and gets his chance to race to the rescue when news spreads of the big engine becoming a runaway train.
ABOUT THE SERIES:
Full Steam Ahead is a 2D animated indie web series that follows the daily life and adventures of seven steam locomotives, Alex, Ruby, Benny, Milo, Pipsqueak, Malcolm, and Cardigan. Together, the traintastic team known as the Track Pack all work in the fictional town of Raildale where they learn to help each other out, solve problems, and learn what it means to work as a team.
REQUIREMENTS:
Commitment to a project
Clear mic audio with little to no background noise
Sending audio files as MP3
Willing to do retakes
General knowledge about trains and railroad practices
Railway region accuracy
Using art and animation software
If you wish to volunteer, then fill out the form below so you can get access to the staff server!
If you'd like to stay updated on the series, then head on over to the Discord server!
https://discord.gg/xVvwKzSucN
Deadline is on January 1st, 2029 at 12:00 P.M. (CDT). Anything later will not be accepted until after the pilot is completed.
THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNPAID.
The pilot will be available to watch on my YouTube channel in 2030, so stayed choo-tuned!
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Character Overview:
Alex is a young, peppy, and friendly engine. He is very eager and is always willing to do a job that’s needed. However, his young behavior can sometimes get him off-track, but with the help of his friends, Alex is able to get things back on track.
Character Voice Notes
His voice should sound young, something like season one Marshall from Paw Patrol. But as long as it’s within the age range of 8-13, anything works.
- english
- male child
- american
- animation/character
Full Steam Ahead!
Abso-tootly!
Well, if there's one thing something I've learned, it's that if you think you can, you will.
Character Overview:
Benny is one of Alex’s best friends and is the jokester of the Track Pack. He loves telling a good joke or two to his friends to help brighten up their day. As well as being a comedian, he also has a bit of a “bet-it-all” personality, as well as being competitive from time to time. Thankfully he knows not to make life-changing bets, make rude jokes, or let a game get the better of him since he knows that 9 times out of 10, the result won’t be pretty.
Character Voice Notes:
His voice should sound young. But as long as it’s within the age range of 9-13, anything works.
- english
- male teen
- american
- animation/character
I bet that'll be fun!
You betcha!
Aw c'mon Ruby! Have I ever steered you wrong? *sheepishly laughing* Okay, maybe I have...
Character Overview:
Ruby is a red tender engine and is the brainiac of the Track Pack. She has a knack for reading and loves a good adventure here and there. She's the oldest of the five young small engines and usually looks after them all, so she knows what's best and is most mature. Or so you might think, cause sometimes, even smart engines need help and like to have fun.
Character Voice Notes:
Her voice should sound young, something like Amy Anteater from Elliot Moose. But as long as it’s within the age range of 9-13, anything works.
- english
- female teen
- american
- animation/character
Ruby-rific!
Sounds like you need some Alex-aided advice. Let's see if the books have anything to say.
Character Overview:
Milo is a yellow tender engine and is the goofball of the Track Pack. He's very young at heart and is quite playful and imaginative. As being silly and loving to make new friends, he has a strong admiration for Malcolm for he tries his best to be just like him some day.
Character Voice Notes:
Milo's voice should sound something similar to this.
- english
- male child
- american
- animation/character
*giggling* Hey, stop! That tickles! *sighing of relief* Ahhh, thank goodness.
*in awe* Malcolm's such a cool engine. I wanna be just like him someday!
Come on, Pipsqueak. All he does is go fast and tell everyone to get out of his way. I can do that too! How bad could it be?
Character Overview:
Pipsqueak is a purple tender engine and is the smallest and youngest member of the Track Pack. She mainly works as a shunter arranging trains for the engines but is allowed to help out on other jobs outside the yard. She loves shunting and wouldn't trade it for any other job in the world.
Character Voice Notes:
Her voice should sound something like Blanky from The Brave Little Toaster (later films) or Mouse from Animal Mechanicals, but as long as it’s within the age range of 7-10, anything works.
- english
- american
- animation/character
- female child
*slightly quick* Peep peep! Watch your wheelsets, coming through!
*giggling* That was fun! Let's do it again!
Sorry, where did you say you wanted these cars again? Got it, sir!
Character Overview:
Malcolm is a green tender engine and is the biggest member of the Track Pack. He can sometimes get a bit grumpy or boastful in the boiler at times, but at his core he’s a kind engine at heart and will use his superior strength to help those in need.
Character Voice Notes:
His character is similar to Gordon from Thomas & Friends and Harrison from Chuggington.
He should also sound Trailmon Worm from Digimon Frontier but less gruff and with a Canadian accent. But as long as it’s within the age range of 20-40, anything works.
- english
- male adult
- american
- animation/character
Set that signal to green because it's time to make some steam!
Make way for Mighty Malcolm!
*proud* Nothing to it for a big strong engine like me.
Character Overview:
Cardigan is an orange tender engine and is the oldest member of the Track Pack and is their leader. He’s a very wise and sensible engine with expertise who’s lived on the railroad longer than anyone else on the team. He's essentially a father figure towards everyone in the roster; always looking out for them, keeping them in order, and giving them good sensible advice.
Character Voice Notes:
His voice should sound like a mix between Gordon from Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go and Porter from The Adventures of Chuck and Friends, but as long as it’s within the age range of 30-50, anything works.
- english
- male adult
- animation/character
- american
Morning team! Ready to start the day?
*alarmed* What in the name of Richard Trevithick happened here?!
Better watch what you wish for, cause it'll come and bite you in the backhead.
Character Overview:
Lionel is the controller and boss of the railway. He’s a figure that all the engines in town look up to. Lionel is very caring at times but won’t shy away from scolding those who cause trouble. Some may see this as harsh, but at the end of the day, Lionel just wishes the best of his engines and the safety of them as well as those around.
Character Voice Notes:
He requires a good adult voice. I'd imagine Lionel's voice being somewhat similar to Professor Utonium from the Powerpuff Girls.
- english
- animation/character
- male adult
- american
Hello there and welcome to Raildale! My name is Lionel, the controller of the railway.
I’m proud to have you part of not only our railroad, but also our family.
Character Overview:
Debbie is an electronic computer announcer who works alongside Lionel. As the railway's dispatcher, she gives the engines their work for the day as well as all sorts of announcements all over Raildale.
Character Voice Notes:
Debbie's voice should sound warm and motherly like Lenore Zann. (See her work as Island Owl from Animal Mechanicals, Captain Star from Salty's Lighthouse, and Wendy Waters from Rescue Heroes.)
But as long as it's in the age range of 20-30, anything works.
- american
- animation/character
- female adult
Hello there! I'm Debbie Dispatch. But you can call me Debbie for short.
Character Overview:
Bernie is an old Saint Bernard who works as a conductor.
Character Voice Notes:
His voice should sound mildly gruff but as long as he sounds 50-60, anything works.
- male adult
- animation/character
- american
Say Ali, the platform's never been this clean before! (chuckling) It's almost like it was just built yesterday!
(reassuring) Not even your morning cup of coffee?
(chuckling) That's what I like to hear. Keep up the good work.
Character Overview:
Alicia is a white cat who works as a station mistress.
Character Voice Notes:
Her voice should sound motherly but as long as it's in the age range of 20-40, anything works.
- american
- female adult
- animation/character
Thanks! There's nothing that I like more in the world than a nice clean station.
(giggling) Okay, that and a clean station.
Got it, Bernie.
Character Overview:
Paul is a blue cat who is Alex's engineer and is the best friend of Daniel.
Character Voice Notes:
Despite being 18 years old, Paul's voice is pretty young-sounding, so as long as he sounds like a kid, anything works.
- male adult
- animation/character
- american
Are you sure you're ready for this Alex?
Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!
(eager) I'm never washing this paw again!
Character Overview:
Daniel is a brown dog who is Alex's fireman and the best friend of Paul.
Character Voice Notes:
Just like with Paul, Daniel's voice is pretty young-sounding, despite being 18 years old. His voice should sound like Percy from All Engines Go.
- male child
- american
- animation/character
Yeah! Cause once you cross the border, there's no going back.
(beat) Fair point.
(in awe) Me neither!
- canadian
- animation/character
- american
- male adult
Ready to highball!
Easy now, Malcolm! You'll jump the next curve at this speed!
Phew! Right on time! As usual.
- animation/character
- male adult
- canadian
- american
Pressure's up, ready to go!
Gertrude is an old engine and is the widow of Preston.
Her voice should sound like a Texan and between the ages of 50-70.
- texan
- female adult
- american
- animation/character
Oh hello there youngin! The name's Gertrude. What's your's?
Ah. That right there is a statue of Preston. He was the first engine to ever ride the rails here and helped to build the town of Redwood. Without him, this whole railroad wouldn't even exist.
Wow indeed. That old engine would surprise us all with his whole "I Think I Can" personality.
Todd is a young eight year-old orphan fox kit who is currently fostered by a new dad.
His voice source is freelanced so as long as he sounds young and eight years old, anything works.
- animation
- male child
- american
(waving) Hiiii!
(laughing)
Valenteen is an elderly wolf who is the new father of Todd.
His voice source is freelanced so as long as he sounds old and around 60 to 70 years old, anything works.
- male senior
- american
- animation/character
(waving) Hello there!
(laughing)
Simon is a comic relief passenger who always brings the most absurd things on trains. You never know what this guy will bring on board for he is certainly a wild card.
- animation/character
- male adult
- american
- funny
*Say something you think would fit*
The Rail Robbers are a brute pair of two no-gooders who cause trouble on the railway.
Their voices should sound deep and menacing.
- male adult
- american
[Crook 1] I always loved playing with trains.
[Crook 2] Uhhhhhh, no one?
[Crooks 1 & 2 laughing]
Dane is a green passenger paired with Jane.
His voice source is freelanced so as long as he sounds 20-30, anything works.
- american
- male adult
- animation/character
*yawning* Bless my bogies! Another run already?
*worried from Alex going fast* Whoa! Slow down, Alex! You're sproggling my springs!
Jane is a green passenger car who's paired with Dane.
Her voice is freelanced so as long as she sounds 20-30, anything works.
- female adult
- animation/character
- american
*Say something you think would fit*
*worried from Alex going fast* And rattling my railings!
Cooper is a bright red caboose who's paired with Dane & Jane
His voice source is freelanced so as long as he sounds 15-20, anything works.
- male adult
- male teen
- american
- animation/character
Crack my cupola!
Concept artists will draw out ideas for the series such as characters, trains, rolling stock, props, and locations. Then they’ll help me decide what to use in the final project.
*Say something you think would fit*
Storyboard artists will be given a segment of the script and use them as a basis to produce drawn-out scenes to visually show and explain what’s going on such as where the characters and camera are placed and positioned.
*Say something you think would fit*
Color artists will be in charge of filing in the colors for the series. Since I want this show to have a 1990s to 2000s era feel, the colors will be flat-based with basic cel shading here and there. Gradients will only be used for certain background lighting.
*Say something you think would fit*
Background artists will be in charge of designing the backgrounds and locations for the series.
*Say something you think would fit*
Rough animators will be responsible for taking the storyboards done by the storyboard artists and using them as a guide to transform them into an animatic.
*Say something you think would fit*
Cleanup animators will be responsible for using the rough animation by the rough animators as a guide for cleaning up the rough sketches and smoothening out the line art.
*Say something you think would fit*
The style of animation should look like your average 1990s to 2000s cartoon, traditionally hand drawn via ink and paint.
*Say something you think would fit*
Writers are the group of people in charge of writing the scripts for each episode as well as making some adjustments or additions if needed.
*Say something you think would fit*
The composer will be in charge of creating the entire soundtrack for the series. This includes the score for every episode (and the pilot), the main theme song, songs, and individual themes for characters.
If you need any ideas for inspiration, think of your average early 1990s to late 2000s music that you hear in cartoons.
*Say something you think would fit*
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