"Once Upon a Kingdom" is an original fantasy/epic/adventure animation 30-35min film by director Måns Saari Jonsson. The twist being that this film will be made with Stopmotion Animation rather than the traditional 2d Animation, but it will also be animated using ONLY lego. This is just a stylistic choice, and we as a production group really favor the creativity and limitations that comes with Lego Stopmotion Films. Have you never seen a Lego Stopmotion Film before? Not to worry. Feel free to follow the link below to our previous project, the Lego Horror Short "Isolation". This short also gives you a feeling of the quality that we're aiming for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp3zUGCx-b8&ab_channel=MondayPictures
So what's "Once Upon a Kingdom" about? The story centers around Ilaine, a young squire in the service of the Kingdom of Rikland. She's travelling with an entourage with the goal of delivering a Rikland lord to the neighboring Kingdom of Leona to secure an alliance between the two kingdoms. This alliance would give the kingdoms a fighting chance against the scurge of The Trolls who constantly raid and pillage their lands. However, when Ilaine and the entourage make camp for the night, they are betrayed by one of their own, and they are attacked by a war party of Trolls.
What style are we going for? The animation style will be similar to the one in "Isolation" (link above). This means that we're going for a slightly more realistic approach to movements and animations, and this extends to the voice work as well. In many ways, we're treating this short as a regular live action film, and the goal is for the voice work to reflect this as well. This basically means that we're not looking for over the top cartoony or exaggerated voices, but rather more subtle performances.
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For this film, we're looking for quite a few actors with a good irish accent. This is mostly meant as a way to differentiate the two kingdoms and the lord from the rest of the people from Rikland. We strongly believe in focusing on story as much as possible, and having clear, distinct accents for different groups of people is a perfect way to do that. We consider representation hugely important, and as such we'd love to cast as many native irish speakers as we can. In the end though, the deciding factor will always be whether or not you're a good fit for the character. So don't hesitate to audition regardless of your heritage! If you are a native irish speaker, feel free to let us know when you audition.
Make sure your audio sounds professional when recording. Think of it as showcasing the best possible recording you can produce, with no background noise, echo, peaking etc. Good quality recordings is required for you to be cast.
What happens if I'm cast? Well firstly, you'll recieve the script, and then we'll discuss the best way to record your lines. If possible, we'd like to record most of the actors during "call in sessions", where the director and actor are both present, especially for the larger roles. This of course allows the director to give instructions and directions more fluently and effectively. We recommend you have discord for this. Most actors will also be required to record ADR and foley. These will not be recorded at the same time as the dialogue. They will be recorded at a later stage when there is a rough cut of the film in order to time the ADR and foley properly to the action on screen.
Even if you're not cast, you might be offered a role as an extra. If we like your audition but ultimately feel like you're not the best fit for a character, we might offer you a role as an extra if you're interested. Extras will unfortunately not be paid, but will of course recieve full credit and such.
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Feel free to audition for as many roles as you like!
If you have any questions regarding the project or the process of auditioning, don't hesitate to message us.
Good luck! We look forward to your auditions!
The protagonist. She’s a squire, and the daughter of Sir Gawain. She’s the quiet type, and has never been the one to confront people. That mostly stems from her insecurities, and the fact that she feels she’ll never live up to her father’s expectations, or rather her own expectations perhaps. She desperately wants to be a knight, and trains every day to get there, even though her fighting skills are sorely lacking. She’s very compassionate though, and perhaps has more knightly qualities than she ever thought. During the course of the film she learns that there’s more to being a knight than just your skill with a sword, and to be proud of her self just the way she is.
We’re looking for a younger female actor who can convey complexity and personality even with simple dialogue.
(Frustrated as she continuously fails to hit a target with a bow and arrow) “I can't do it! I try, but no matter how much I want to I just can't do it.”
(In response to someone saying :Your father is a great man. I’m sure we can expect great things from you as well:. Try to answer as though you’re trying to be convincing, but not believing in your own words.) “Sure.”
(As she comforts Lancel, even though he has behaved badly towards her. Try to find a balance between sounding comforting and harsh) “Look, I know you're scared, we all are. Do you want to live? Then get up.”
Sir Gawain is Ilaine’s father, and a knight and commander famous for his skills. He knows Ilaine is struggling with her own identity and short comings, but also doesn’t know how to aid her properly. He wants her to reach her goals, but also wants her to reach them for her own sake and not because she feels like she has to.
We’re looking for an older male actor with a commanding presence who can also convey a softer and gentler side to himself.
(The first half of the line is just a command to the other soldiers, and the other half is as he turns to Ilaine. Try to speak with a commanding voice for the first half, and then switch to something slightly gentler as he turns to Ilaine) “Saddle up folks! We keep moving. (To Ilaine) We'll talk more later.”
(Here, he’s trying his best to comfort Ilaine as she fails to hit a target with a bow and arrow. Try to speak with with a gentle voice, but also with a bit of uncertainty, as if he’s unsure how best to comfort her) “Because, well... I wouldn't want you to do it for anyone else but yourself. There's more to being a knight than just your skill with a bow or a sword. You don't have to prove anything. Not to me at least.”
Lord Percival is the lord travelling with the entourage. In many ways he’s spoiled, but he’s also a kind person at heart who rarely means to do anyone harm. He’s also quite the nervous man, and can be a bit clumsy and bumbling at times.
We’re looking for a male actor who can sound polite and kind, while still having a hint of nervousness to them.
(Here, he’s arguing with Grums to be let out of his carriage.) “Yes, well- (noticing Sir Gawain, and turns to him) Ah! Sir uh, Gawain! I was just telling our, uhm, friend here how I'd like some fresh air.”
(This line is preceded by a long awkward silence, so try and say it as awkwardly as possible! Preferably still quite politely.) “Well, I guess I'll just uhm, get back in my carriage then.”
Edyth grew up on a farm, but enlisted as a soldier to help provide for her family and siblings. Last winter the trolls raided the farm, and she knows her family probably won’t survive the winter unless she does something. Therefor she made a deal with the trolls, and will betray her fellow soldiers for gold enough so that her family can survive. She hates herself for doing it, and has been stand-offish and distancing herself from the rest of the soldiers to make it easier once she betrays them.
We’re looking for a female actor who can sound stand-offish while also hinting at underlying sadness and inner conflict.
(For this line, simply sounding short to the point and stand-offish will suffice) “Last time I checked, secret diplomatic missions weren't the place for silly merriment.”
(Here, Edyth almost breaks her facade. She wants to warn Ilaine, but also knows she can’t if she wants her family to live. Try and be more saddened/regretful here, but still keeping that sense of stand-offishness) “You should leave, Ilaine.”
Kaye is a soldier, and has been for most of his life. He’s quite weary, and rarely smiles unless he really has to. He feels a bit protective of Orick, who perhaps reminds him of himself at that age, although their personalities ensure that they rarely, if ever, get along.
We’re looking for a male actor with a gritty, weary sounding voice.
(To Orick, as he insists on playing games rather than keeping a watchful eye during guard duty.) “Would you mind focusing on the task at hand instead of messing about? Our job is to stand guard right now. Something might happen.”
(This line is shouted as sort of a command to the other soldiers, and is preceded with Kaye letting out a sly smile for the first time.) “Well, what are you waiting for people!? A cordial invitation!? Let's go!”
Orick is a soldier, but quite the inexperienced one. He likes to mess around and crack jokes. Seriousness is just another way to spell “boring” according to him. Messing with Kaye is even more fun since he’s so easy to irritate.
We’re looking for a young male actor with energy and a “happy go lucky” to his voice, preferably someone with a good comedic timing.
(This line is spoken to Kaye as they are standing on guard duty. Try to focus on the timing here!) “I spy something... (looks around at the rubble of the abbey) grey, old and boring. I'll give you a clue. It's not your face.”
(Here, Orick and Kaye have just heard a noise from the forest. Try and break character a bit here, and focus more on being startled than energetic and comedic.) ”What was that?”
Lancel is also a soldier, but considers himself to be slightly above the rest of them. His father IS a general after all. He takes quite a bit of issue with Ilaine, who he deems to be undeserving of all the attention she’s given by Sir Gawain. He fails completely to realize his own double standards though, and is mostly just a big pain to almost everyone.
We’re looking for a male actor with a voice that sounds condescending and “know-it-all”. Preferably someone who can speak with a lighter Irish accent, as though you're trying to cover it up.
(This line is spoken to Kaye, just after Lancel has dropped some condescending comments to Ilaine.)” Look, I'm just saying, I've never heard of a squire being knighted unless they know all this stuff. Have you? I've seen to many squires who can't handle themselves in the slightest, which she obviously can't either. First sign of a fight and she'll cowardly be running for her life, mark my words. I'm just giving some friendly advice here.”
(Here, most of the soldiers are gathered around the campfire at night, and Lancel the oppourtunity to tell one of his “brilliant” dwarf-jokes.) “All right! How about this one: What did the dwarf say when he left for work? So short! You know, instead of "so long"?”
Grums is a dwarf, and so does not come from the Kingdom of Rikland like the other soldiers. He was born and raised in the Dwarven Kingdom, but like many other dwarfs joined the Rikland army. The trust has always been strong between the two kingdoms. Grums is a loyal friend, but feels a bit out of place among the others since he’s the only dwarf in the entourage. He has trouble understanding sarcasm, or humor in general really, something Lancel usually exploits.
We’re looking for a male actor with a classic scottish dwarven voice (look to The Hobbit and LotR for inspiration).
(This line is spoken to Ilaine, in an almost hushed tone as he leans in.) “Make no mistake, never underestimate a troll. And keep an extra eye open at night, two, if you can. That's when they like to get you.”
(Here, Grums is trying his best to tell a joke of his own, but fails.) “Well, I know this one joke. Ok, here goes. Why is a tunnel better than a bridge? Because it's underground!”
Guenevere is a squire like Ilaine, but quite different in many ways. She is headstrong, and never afraid to speak her mind. She doesn’t like to be bossed around, at least not by know-it-all-soldiers like Lancel who thinks himself above the rest. Guenevere likes Ilaine though, but so far Ilaine has retjected any attempts by Guenevere to become friends.
We’re looking for a female actor with cocky, headstrong voice.
(This line is spoken to Lancel, just after he gives Ilaine his so called “Friendly advice”.) “Friendly advice? Want some "friendly advice" yourself? Quit your yapping.”
(Here, Guenevere is trying her best to befriend Ilaine. So go a little easier on the “cockiness” on this line, and try to have a more welcoming and positive voice!) “A couple of us squires were planning on playing a few rounds of Nine Men's Morris when we've made camp later tonight, by the way. You're welcome to join if you want to.”
Khurgan is the main antagonist of the film, although only features in a few scenes. As the chieftain of a large troll war party, he’s cold and calculating, and more clever than one might first assume. His physical prowess also ensures he’s a force to be reckoned with in any close combat.
We’re looking for a male actor with a booming, cold voice, but preferably also with some classic “orc-touch” if you will. We highly encourage experimentation for this role.
(This line is spoken to Edyth after the first attack by the trolls, when she demands to know why they slaughtered all the soldiers, even though they agreed they wouldn’t) ”I changed my mind.”
(This is a simple command to the war party, but it’s spoken to Khurgan’s second in command, so keep it cold, and calm rather than shouting.) “Ready the war party. We storm the tower.”
A royal guard under the command of Sir Gawain. This character has no name, but does feature in a few scenes.
We’re looking for a female actor. We don’t have a specific type of voice in mind for this character (but would prefer a non-male voice), so we highly encourage experimentation.
(This line is spoken after the surviving soldiers have retreated after the initial attack. The situation seems hopeless, and they discuss how best to retaliate.) “No. There's too many of them. We won't last 'til dawn.”
(This is just a simple command, but make sure to give it all you’ve got!) “Archers! Fire!”
The commander of the Leonian regiment sent to relieve the Rikland soldiers. This character only features in one scene, and only has a few lines.
We’re looking for a male or female actor. We don’t have a specific type of voice or accent in mind for this character, so we highly encourage experimentation. We'd prefer a non-irish accent though,
“Who's in command? Is the lord alive?”
We'll need several extras for this film, mostly people who can speak with an irish accent as they will portray soldiers in the Rikland army. As an extra, you'll have the opportunity to improv a lot and be more creative than with other roles. Due to budgetary constraints, extras will unfortunately not be paid, but will of course recieve full credit and such.
(Conversation improv). Improv freely with some sort of casual conversation. Perhaps you're instructing someone on something? Or describing something that happened to you recently? Be creative! This is meant to used for background characters during the beginning of the film.
(Battle/Shouts improv). Improv freely with shouts, commands, cries etc. As though you're in the midst of a battle. Perhaps you're shouting for backup or help? Or perhaps you're running for your life? Be creative! This is meant to be used for background characters during the battle in the second half of the film.
