The year is 2552. The war with the Covenant, a mass alien empire, has finally come to the planet, Reach. Humanity is being burned off the surface of the world. As the battles across the planet rage on and fizzle out, a small team of marines is tasked with locating and rescuing what they believe to be a critical UNSC ally. To their surprise, the ally in question is an Elite, one of the Covenant followers laying waste to humanity. Faced with a myriad of questions and commands from the dark corners of the UNSC, this battle-weary group must face the hard reality of saving one of the very aliens trying to erase them from history.
Glass End is a Halo Reach machinima short that is narrative focused and that plays a role in a growing series of Halo machinima.
Project Logistics:
- Production on Glass End is tentatively planned to begin near the end of August, 2018.
- Voice lines are preferred to be completed either before or near the beginning of project filming. They can be completed either in their entirety or scene by scene. We understand that life will life, so be sure to reach out to the project leads if these deadlines cannot be reached.
- We will be using a focused Discord group to communicate freely as a team as well as Google Drive to share voice lines and other project materials.
- We ask that no persons below the age of 16 audition for this project. We appreciate your interest and understanding! Additionally, this project features adults and mature individuals exclusively. No child roles.
- Mic quality must be clean and quality. No auditions with static, buzzing, popping, etc will be considered.
Micheal Rowen is one of the two marines dispatched from a different squad to assist in this mission. Of the two he is the higher ranked but is hardly more experienced. The constant fighting and heavy losses have taken a toll on him. While he maintains a determined attitude, he is slightly cynical and increasingly aware that humanity will soon lose Reach.
Rowen maintains a good record of being level headed and goal focused. Despite the dire situation of both humanity and his team, he remains mostly calm and drives the mission forward. He is the team lead on this assignment and is doing his best to fulfil that role despite his general inexperience.
VOICE: Any medium, to lower ranged voices can be applicable here. Rowen is relatively young; being in his early-mid twenties.
*Speaking to a squadmate, making conversation*
We'll be lucky to find anyone out here. Half' this region is burning to the ground. Anyone who was here is either dead or long gone.
*Annoyed, tired*
We are the backup, sorry. Our unit got chewed up in New Alexandria. At the rate this war's going you're lucky to have us two.
*Giving orders, trying to calm a teammate*
I need you to cool it and stand down private. Now.
Jaren Dugam is a marine dispatched from the same larger unit as Rowen. Unlike Rowen, Dugam has not be handling the stress of combat very well. He's become irritable, depressive and jumpy. He moves forward on the mission out of compliance and fear but is vocal about his discontent with the direction of the war. He is the most outspoken about his unwillingness to take on the task of rescuing an Elite.
VOICE: Any medium, to lower ranged voices can be applicable here. Dugam is relatively young; in his early-mid twenties.
*Sarcastically*
Right! The Covenant won't know what hit 'em! Two marines and a jumper! Consider the war over!
*Angry, discontent*
There are Covenant ships all around us burning this continent down! Now command wants us to walk this split jaw out of here? That's bull!
*Threatening*
You make a single move squid lips and I'll plant one through that ugly skull of yours.
Morri Atlas is an orbital drop shock trooper who was deployed independent of Rowen and Dugam. Initially sent to scout out the mission area, Atlas has been waiting for what was made out to be a larger backing force. Instead, Morri was greeted by the two marines and the news that nobody else was coming. Morri is far more versed in combat than the two marines and is less battle-weary. However, Morri has high reservations about their assignment, noting it's mysterious nature and risky variables. All in all, Morri is confident and straight forward but is equally aware of the dire situation the team faces.
VOICE: Morri is written as a character who's gender/accent is up for interpretation. We would like any interested VA of any background to pursue an audition based off the information provided prior. We ask that all auditions just maintain a base level of maturity in tone and speech.
*Passively, recounting*
Command dropped me in a few hours ago for recon. Whatever happened here, happened long before I arrived.
*Demanding, confused*
What's the motive here? Why'd they send us this deep in Covenant territory for one Elite?
*Calling attention*
We've got company, dropships, loaded heavy!
Riva is an Elite, one of the members of the Covenant empire and a Sangheli, a warrior-race of aliens. However, Riva has deserted the Covenant on the grounds that the senseless slaughter of humans has stripped the Elite of their honor as warriors. For the Covenant this is considered heresy and is grounds for imprisonment or execution. Riva has struck a deal with the UNSC to ensure his safety. If they assist him in escaping reach, he will divulge important Covenant secrets that could help humanity turn the tides of war.
Riva has the traditional Elite mannerisms. His speech is somewhat esoteric and focuses of prophetic statements and analogies. He is also stoic in presentation and appeal.
VOICE: As an Elite, Riva's voice should reflect his race and the tropes of their speech. For those unfamiliar with how Elites speak in the Halo series, here are a few references.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRBGSsHQeAo
*making his case. explaining*
My people fight for a cause they did not create. There is no honor in this slaughter.
*Responding to a threat*
You speak so confidently small one, yet I feel no threat from you. Care to wager against my feelings?
*Speaking out against a superior*
You have lost your way, Kotan. You all have. But I shall make our ancestors proud.
Kotan 'Gakam is an Elite, a member of the Covenant empire and a Sangheli, a warrior-race alien. Kotan is a ranking Covenant member with several Covenant assets at his disposal. Riva, who was previously under his command betrayed his own squad and fled from the Covenant. Kotan has made it a personal tak to apprehend Riva and see that his preachings of heresy are ended.
Kotan is decisive, deadly and cruel. his forces are the ones laying waste to this particular region of Reach, resulting in heavy losses for humanity. He is a skilled tactician and warrior.
VOICE: As an Elite, Kotan's voice should reflect his race and the tropes of their speech. For those unfamiliar with how Elites speak in the Halo series, here are a few references.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRBGSsHQeAo
*calling out, condescending*
Come out coward and face your trial! Have you no honor, heretic?
*Responding to an insult*
What audacity you have to speak to me like a mere Grunt. A trial is above your blood, traitor!
*Giving a command, confident, assured*
Secure this area. Ensure the heretic finds no hole to scurry through.
Unnamed radio operator overseeing the mission. A performance along the lines of what is shown here would be desired but a range is acceptable. Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i5qhlPEcUE
Be advised, your current AO is confirmed hot. Active in-atmosphere glassing several clicks out, over.
Negative, marine, you are not to engage. That Elite represents a massive tactical gain and must be delivered ASAP.
