Project Songbird is a first-person narrative horror game that takes place in the Appalachian wilderness. You take control of Dakota, a modestly successful musician who, amidst a writers block, opts to move to a remote cabin in the woods for 1 month in order to record their new album. However, these woods are not as empty as it may seem.
This game is being made by FYRE Games, the same solo developer that brought you Summerland and We Never Left. Being so story and character-driven, good voice performances are crucial in ensuring that the game's moment to moment narrative is engaging and provocative. Most all dialogue is meant to be delivered in a very realistic and grounded manner. The best example that I could provide would be Firewatch by Campo Santo. The style of that back and forth between Henry and Delilah is exactly what this game needs!
If you have more questions, please reach out here, or reach out on my website www.fyregames.com
Hello, world!
Conner here! Just giving a quick shout that after months of SAG talks, game development, rewrites, and paperwork, Project Songbird has finally been cast!
Thank you so much to everyone who auditioned; I can't express enough not only how grateful I am, but how difficult it was to come to a final decision. I can't wait until I get the chance to reveal the cast list! Hope to see everyone there!
Hello!
I've been responding to a lot of people individually asking about casting updates for my upcoming game Project Songbird, so I figured it would be best to put an update here.
Before addressing the casting, let me clarify that development for the game is still going strong, and the only thing that's been really delayed is the voice acting specifically. There's a lot of work to be done outside of voice over work, and all of that is still going very smoothly.
As many of you know, a few days into the auditioning process for this game, SAG-AFTRA's video game actors had gone on strike, and they remain on strike now. This created a bit of an obstacle for us as we navigated what both us and actors were permitted to do during this time.
Since then, we have gained conditional approval from SAG-AFTRA to continue with casting, but this agreement creates new timeline and budgetary restrictions for the voice acting of this project. There are still many details being worked out as the priorities and plans moving forward continue to evolve.
So as of now, casting will be delayed until further notice as we ensure that everything is planned out as necessary and that we are fulfilling all of our duties and responsibilities to SAG-AFTRA and the actors which we employ to voice the characters we've created.
I can't emphasize enough how grateful I am for how many people took interest in voicing in this game, and I've been having a blast sorting through the auditions I've been sent. I'll be sure to have more updates whenever some of the finer details are sorted out in the near future.
Thank you so much, and I can't wait to have more to share :)
Conner Rush of FYRE Games
Name: Dakota
Age: 28
Lines: ~430
Description
Dakota is the main protagonist of Project Songbird. A modestly successful musician, Dakota decides to move out into the Appalachian wilderness in order to write their newest album amidst a writers block. Dakota is very self-reliant and individualistic, but this can get in the way their desire for acceptance and validation.
Dakota is a character that requires an incredibly talented actor to take on the part, as their voice will be present for a majority of the game. Delivery for Dakota should be very realistic and grounded (think Firewatch) and convey strong emotion with subtlety.
In addition, Dakota is a musician, and taking on this part will require some singing.
Dakota is non-binary, and we are looking to cast someone who identifies as such.
(Fearful) "Jesus, what the hell was that thing down there? Not sure if I want to know."
"Wow, these flowers are gorgeous. If I knew there'd be nature like this, I would've come to West Virginia a hell of a lot sooner."
"You know, I didn’t believe it at first. I didn’t think that you would do it, and you know why? Because I thought I knew you. So many times - so many fucking times-... you said you were fine. “No, I’m okay”, “No, Dakota, I’m just tired.” I just didn’t fucking believe it. I didn't, and I really still don’t. I sat in my room for days, months. I expected you to walk right through the front door... But you never did... All that I did for you... I loved you so fucking much. I worried about you for so long and you barely said a word to me, and then you go and pull some shit like this. You selfish... asshole! You-... I-... I don’t know. At least I got some shitty songs out of it."
Name: Rob
Age: 37
Lines: ~72
Rob is not only a friend of Dakota's but is also their boss. Rob is Dakota's manager, and has them under contract to write a new album. After Dakota is unable to write due to some recent happenings, Rob secures them a cabin in the woods to get away from their troubles for a bit.
Rob is always trying to strike a bit of a balance between being a comforting friend and meeting the necessary deadlines of Dakota's contracts. The actor that takes this part must be able to create a sense of natural conversation with Dakota (as stated in the description for Dakota, think Firewatch).
“I know what happened was awful, and you know you have my condolences and my family’s condolences. I’ve tried to be there for you as a friend as much as I’ve been able, but... I mean, we’re losing money. You’re already 2 months late on your album contract, and...”
(Sternly) “I'm not going to let you break out of this deal, Dakota. Keep looking, find another door, and write us a song.”
Name: Finn
Age: 23
Lines: ~33
Finn is Dakota's younger brother, and is an incredibly talented painter. However, Finn struggles heavily with self-doubt and his need for validation, often taking an immense personal stake in how his art is perceived. He desperately wants his art to be loved. While he gives off an optimistic and jovial demeaner, he's struggling with personal demons that will have take the spotlight.
Finn has an emotional intensity to him, and requires an actor with good range.
(Hysterics, a panic attack, an emotional breakdown) "Dakota, I-... I don't know what to do. It feels like nothing I do is right! Nothing I make is good enough and nothing I do is ever good enough, and I just can't keep doing this."
(In response to Dakota saying they like all his paintings) "I know you do but not everyone does. The past few exhibitions I've done, the critical response was far from positive. And I'm not just talking critics, I mean just the general public. If people aren't going to like it, then what's the point?"
Name: Granny Witch
Age: 100+
Lines: ~20
The Granny Witch is a being from Appalachian folklore, and is regarded as a medicine woman who dabbles in herbal medicine and witchcraft. This character is a pseudo-immortal being who lives alone in the forest. They are borderline omniscient.
This voice should carry a very sinister and creepy tone. She's villainous and intimidating. Mainly inspired by the witch that appears in the Robert Eggers movie The Witch.
"*Ominous, omniscient laughter*"
"However beautiful the song of a songbird, nothing can shield it from decay. It will become food for the insects."
"To perform is to pretend. With every string you pluck, you inch closer toward the maw. With every chord strummed, your flame dims."
Lines: ~15
Tilman is a one-off side character. They are a Jimmy Fallon-like talkshow host. They are meant to sound somewhat fake and showy.
Any gender is up to be cast
So Dakota, you just have to spill the beans on this new record you've been cooking up. I know you're notoriously secretive about your creative process, but I can't help but ask.”
Thomas is a 19th century anthropologist reporting on Appalachian towns. This is a one-off character used in a flashback.
Lines: ~3
Any gender can be cast.
“The locals call her "Granny Witch", and she sinks fear into me. A doubt in which I've never experienced both in my understanding of the world and my faith in God, has washed over me. "Visions!" They say. "Terrifying, healing visions!" I've witnessed her cure hysteria, and cause hysteria all the same.”
These are whispers heard in the players ear throughout. Multiple actors can be cast here.
If you'd like a reference for the desired effect, check out the whispering voices from Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
"Hey... hey, listen. Listen to it. Listen closely"
"Don't go. No, stay. Don't go"
"Follow it. C'mon, follow. Go. Go to it. Follow it"
