Welcome all!
Of Cabins and Castles is a project for young or new creators, unsure how to progress but knowing that they want to build a fantastic world. If this sounds like you, than you are probably a bit like me! Often times, new creators like us get lost in the tide, and when we reach out to bigger projects, we find that most places only seek out brand-names or pre-established empires.
However, the goal of this project is to bring together a group of creators to work together on a Youtube series following believable, life-like characters into a grand world of our creation. We will work together to create an audiobook (with visuals) posted to youtube, and funded through Patreon. I am a student myself, and don’t have any extra money to pay anyone directly, but once I know who all is truly interested, I will work out percentage-based contracts with the final crew, meaning that, while early on, not much will be gained, over time as we build a following, youtube ads and Patreon subscribers will pay you back.
Since I still have your attention, I will introduce the rest of the project. Anyone helping in the writing department will help with creating new characters and guiding the story, all I have at the moment is a general story arch and several base characters and plot-points.
Artists and animators will do character design, and obviously animation. Because this is very time-consuming, the pay percentage for this type of job will likely be higher. Those details can and will be worked out later.
Editors will generally be in the sound-department, but also with video editing as needed by the animators. This also is a more difficult job and I want to compensate you guys as much as I am able.
Voice actors are the final area of need, and I hope to meet other fresh new voices while we go!
With the business out of the way, let me explain the basics of this world to you. If you are interested in the project, I hope that you are equally interested in the world we will create together.
I’ll introduce the magic and base plot that I have to build off of. The characters that I have will be in the Casting Call project, and more will be built upon after the team is together.
In this world, magic works as a part of the body, almost like a third arm. Everyone is born with it to a certain degree, and in rare cases some are born with extreme power or no connection to magic at all. The latter case is considered being crippled, and would be similar to someone born blind or paralyzed in the real world.
Magic is divided into two categories, Light and Dark. Light includes magic traits like Fire, Air, and Life, while Dark has ones such as Water, Earth, and Necromancy.
Magic levels go from 0-5. Most humans are born having one or two traits, between the levels of 1-3. Level 4 and 0 are rare, and level 5 happens only once or twice every few generations. Magic must be trained though, but this works similarly to going to the gym to train your muscles.
Because magic is an integrated part of society, it is not seen as strange or scary. Of course, someone with immense magic power would be scary, but it would be considered the same as meeting a really buff dude in a dark alley.
ONTO THE STORY ARCH!!!
Without giving end-game spoilers out to anyone snooping in the future (I see you out there!), this is the general, overall plot I have roaming about my mind. The main character of the early arch, Akira, is a good big brother who takes care of his little sister, Amelia. He teaches her the ‘fun’ parts of being a ranger - Exploring the woods, hunting, swimming, setting traps, and so on - but keeps the messy side to himself, events like near-death experiences with monsters, fights with thugs, and breaking up tavern brawls.
His strangely balanced life is interrupted by an event, where an organization is setting up temples and totems to transform the beasts of the land into blood-thirsty monsters, no longer seeking survival but instead seeking destruction. And, of course, all along the journey he meets endearing characters, such as the adorable Lupe, or the tough (and probably tsundere) Rudi.
In the background (likely in short flashback-esc scenes at the end of each episode) A secondary story is taking place, following Athakos’ growth from a young orphan into a dragon-slayer, and eventually king. After a while, this sequence catches up with modern events, and eventually the two stories cross and carry over, leading into the next arch with an even bigger baddie.
I have several character-building scenes I specifically want to make happen, but generally the story is very malleable and I can’t wait to work together to create this world! If you have questions or suggestions, email me at patelarson (at gmail.com, for some reason it won't let me post my email, sorry for any issues!), I will be happy to answer anything! More details will be given upon casting/request.
The deadline isn't actually that date, I'm just not allowed to make a longer deadline, so I'll probably have to fix that in the future.
Here is the link to the character references! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_eKqXCROTrMhP6wMUPtQr4PxuF0GHc2_5j8VgG9TL9Y/edit?usp=sharing
All payment will be figured out upon casting. Because I have little money, much of your compensation will come from getting a percentage of money made from youtube ads and Patreon subscriptions. This percentage will be decided based on the total number of people in the final cast, plus the importance of your particular role. Animators, being a very time consuming job, will get a higher percentage.
Extras will be added to the Casting Call as needed, so stay tuned!
Thank you!
Any style animation would be fantastic, please post a link to an animation you have created in the past and explain why you are interested in the project!
If you prefer to create something new, here are a few prompts to choose from!
(references posted in the description)
Combat prompt: *Athakos draws his sword, angling it at his opponent and smiling
*His opponent, anonymous knight dude, grimaces, drawing his own sword and setting into a stance
*the two rush at each other, standing for a moment. Suddenly, the second knight falls to the ground. The crowd cheers!
Tavern scene: *Cuts from black to a scene of an old, run down tavern. Several large, rough looking figures sit around the counter.
*The door opens, and a cloaked figure steps through. Several figures much larger than the cloaked man step aside, leaving room for him.
*He walks up to the counter, sitting down and pulling back his hood, revealing himself to be Akira, and says,
"You got any juice in stock? Gotta keep my head clear, y'know?" (The voiced part isn't necessary, the main deal is to show off your animation skill!)
Cute scene: *Lupe looks longingly up at a jar of sugar on the top shelf of the cabin's kitchen.
*She tries standing on the counter, but still can't reach it.
*She stands atop a stool, and when that doesn't work, stacks books on it. Standing on the stack of books, she reaches up, grabs the jar, and holds it high over her head.
"I'm home!"
*someone yells, and a door slams shut. Lupe wobbles and topples to the floor, covered in sugar
As stated in the general description, Animators will be given a better percentage since their work requires a lot more time. Any questions, shoot me an email! (In description)
Say something you think would fit
Every good show needs great music! Give a link to a song you've written, and explain why you took interest in this project!
Say something you think would fit
This one depends a little bit more on the animator's needs. Link me to a project you've edited and give the title of the program you use!
Say something you think would fit
Amelia is the younger sister of Akira, and a very important one. She represents a lot of Akira's drive to move forward, she is a sweet, caring individual, but still very young and childish, often wanting things to go her way. She repeatedly does badly at explaining herself, but does her best to make up for it in any way she can. Her age is roughly 11-13, so her voice should be rather youthful.
*Bubbly with happiness* Come on! Let's walk in the woods Akira! *Huffing and somewhere between frustrated and playfully silly, as she pulls on his arm* You're so slowww! Walk faster!
*Angrily and hurt, with tones of jealousy (And no, this is not a romantic jealousy, just a little sibling wanting attention)* Why do you spend so much time away? Especially with her! Why not me?
*Sighing contentedly, Ami is laying on grass and looking up at the clouds.* This is my favorite. I wish it could be this way forever.
Lupe is a young girl (roughly 7-9 years old) who was found by Akira, wondering in the woods. Her background is a bit mysterious, but not for lack of straight-forwardness! She occasionally has that sense of profoundness that young children sometimes seem to have, but often times she just acts her age - pulling small pranks, trying to get that extra cookie, and loving on the people she is with.
*Checking around to make sure nobody sees, and reaching into the candy jar* Hm... Maayyybe just ooonne more... hehe!~
*Childlike but very serious* Mud castles ARE better than sand ones! They're more squishy and pretty!
*With childish innocence* I wish they would stop fighting... *mumbled* It can be scary...
Atal Keough is a Gold Rank Ranger, and is managing a large area, including where Akira is posted. He checks in every so often to see how things are going, and eventually assigns a second ranger to help with upcoming issues. He is a bit on the older side, but very fit, and acts/seems more middle aged. He is the grandfather of Rudi Keough.
*interrupted from being lost in thought* Hm? Ah, yes. Akira, I will find an extra hand to post here. I wonder what the cause of this situation could be...
*responding to a child at the market* Old man? Come now, I'm not that old! *thinking for a moment* Wait... am I that old? (For comedic effect, you could add a drawn out, 'nooooo!' to the end!)
Granddaughter of Atal Keough, Rudi is a young ranger, and having recently completed her training, was free to be stationed with Akira when Atal realized there was a problem. She is fiercely independent, and slow to trust. Having lost both her parents, she struggles emotionally and can have outbursts of anger.
(Akira had just answered the door, and behind him was a confusing scene and a very large mess, so Rudi has a somewhat confused tone) I had been posted here by my grandfather, Atal Keough? This is the right place?
(Angrily) I don't need your help! I'm better off alone! (A bit more softly, realizing her own tone but keeping her pride) I'll... Be fine by myself.
Wait... You're telling me... You don't have regular training sessions? It's one of the regulations!
Laene is the son of a rich Lord and was spoiled rotten growing up. Because of this, he looks down on his peers and sees peasants or anyone of lower status as less 'human' than himself. He often finds joy in annoying Akira and Amelia. His voice should be something both uppity and bratty. Have fun with him!
Whoa, the view is so cool up here! *yelling down from the castle wall at kids in the street* Bet you losers wish you could come up here!!
*slightly in fear* Y-yeah, well... *picking up some courage and tenacity* Knights are way better then you stupid rangers!
Jade is an elemental. Elementals of this world are born from energy around them (Example: A water elemental forms in an ocean, lake, or river, gaining life force and power from the living and moving things around it. Her voice should should sound both ancient and young (Elf-style) and have a spacey-effect (Perhaps almost like the wind itself is speaking). If you have something else in mind, go ahead and try it! I would love to see what you come up with.
I am the forest, and the forest is me. I am the essence of life that emanates and flows from these trees and plants and animals. *pause* Yes. The squirrels too. You humans ask the strangest things...
Give a link to some of your past work, or do some fanart/character design for one of the cast! Reference art in the main description.
Say something you think would fit
Audition to be a writer/backup writer here! Write a short story, new character, or something outside the box!
Say something you think would fit
Anything submitted here will be used as a pool to find good voices for extra characters as they come up. If you have a range of voices, feel free to use several!
Say something you think would fit.
