Greetings, readers, and welcome to Hinamizawa!
Higurashi, while more recognizable for its excellent animé adaptation in 2006, originated as a sound novel written by Ryukishi07. It was released in eight separate parts, starting in 2002 and ending in 2006. Similar to its animé adaptation, Higurashi was filled with mystery and horror, but balanced it out with sillier and more down to earth moments, making it an experience to remember. It has a very special place in my heart, and that's why I want to organize a fan dub of it! Be warned about spoilers, though!
Fortunately, nowadays the sound novels are easy to access - MangaGamer has been re-releasing them on Steam with an updated script, new character art, and, down the line, are going to release some of the extra stories that were only released in Japan. This fan dub is going to cover everything MangaGamer releases under the "Higurashi When They Cry Hou" brand. At the time of this writing, not all of the chapters have been completed, but should we happen to catch up with MangaGamer, we will simply wait until new chapters are released. Since we're covering everything Higurashi, knowing what happens is recommended. This Casting Call is only covering Onikakushi; the rest of the characters will have a separate Casting Call when Onikakushi nears its end.
The fan dub will be uploaded to YouTube. Unless the videos are taken down, they will stay there - that will not change. However, given circumstances, I may convert the sound files I'm sent and make this fan dub a mod on Steam. This isn't likely; while we are dubbing every spoken line, many of the non-spoken lines will be glossed over. Only specific scenes will be getting the full treatment, those of which you'll know when you get casted. Still, I'm open to the idea.
It's highly recommended that you use Discord. It's not necessary - I can get your voice lines through Casting Call directly, worst case - but Discord is much easier. I'm on there a lot. It's also a lot better for chatting with other actors and any fans that will join the server. The actual server will be linked below.
Before you audition, please note the following:
1) Make sure you have good mic quality! This one is extremely important. Make sure there's minimal background echo, your voice is clear and easily heard, and be ready to time your lines to the game's auto advance feature. No laptop mics, no phone recordings, etc. That said, so long as it's good, I will consider casting you, so don't be afraid to audition!
2) Once casted, I'm going to leave initial takes up to you. Once you're casted and added to the Discord - more on the Discord later - you're ready to record your lines. The first takes are all on you, so do whatever you like and what you think fits! That being said...
3) If I think a line of yours needs a retake, I will ask that you do the retake. Don't expect to only have to submit lines once! Be okay with the fact that I may ask you to re-do lines. And don't think I'm asking you because I'm upset! We're all here to have a good time and I'd never ask you to re-do a line because I hate the way it came out. Typically if I ask, I just would rather a line spoken in a different tone, or something along those lines. It's also totally possible that I can be off track with something, so if you disagree with my direction, don't be afraid to let me know!
4) This is going to be a very, very long process. Higurashi is not short. The word count is through the roof, to put it one way. I ask that you have patience and, most importantly, don't quit out on me and everyone else because of the length. I'm going to try and get these out at a reasonable pace, so with any luck this won't be a major issue.
5) Let me know if you have any suggestions. The goal is to dub over all of Higurashi, but this doesn't mean we can't do anything on the side. I'd rather focus on that when we're all caught up, but if an idea is fun, or everyone is up for it, I don't mind doing something as a little diversion.
6) The English dub for the animé is a good place to look FOR VOICE ONLY. The voice cast for the dub was quite good, but the direction was... not very good, putting it nicely. While I'm open to any kind of voice for the characters, so long as it fits, looking to the dub as a place to start is recommended.
7) I will be leaving feedback on every audition, if possible! I tend to stick to the positives, so expect mostly positive feedback. Still, I think it's important for people auditioning to know what worked about their audition, not only for the future of the fan dub, but going forward, too. So don't be afraid to try out!
8) Have fun! Like I said earlier, we're all in this to have a good time!
Link to the Discord: https://discord.gg/MWqYrFN
