PULAU
Project Overview
INTRODUCTION
Hi everyone! I'm Tullip, an animation student at RMIT University, currently working on my final-year project, Pulau.
FULL DOCUMENT HERE
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z9NM_gjm7uDhfYJ8s5c1TWKiJmrqMXCCifqwZj0_e8k/edit?usp=sharing
I'm looking for three talented voice actors and multiple incredible composers to collaborate on my film!
Here’s the Synopsis:
The film’s protagonist, Ah Tong dreams of pursuing a career in music, but she feels her country doesn't offer the opportunities she needs. As a result, she’s been planning to leave her homeland after graduating high school and has grown increasingly resentful of her country because of it. One day, her aunt, Fang returns from a Western country, and the protagonist is tasked with showing her around. As they explore together, she begins to see her country and culture through her aunt’s eyes, gradually learning to appreciate and love them.
Description:
“Pulau” is a 2D animated short film estimated to be 4:30 minutes in length. It's a film about appreciating the beauty and value of own culture and homeland. The genre will be slice of life with elements of coming of age and cultural exploration.
The animation will be defined by vibrant, intricately crafted backgrounds that add depth and atmosphere, weaving storytelling and visual artistry into an immersive experience.
IMPORTANT:
Since this film is set in Penang, Malaysia, it's important to me that the voice actors have a Malaysian accent. If you can speak Hokkien, that would be a huge plus! There will also be a scene where the main characters speak entirely in Chinese, so fluency in Chinese is essential.
Voice cast production details:
If you're in Melbourne, we can arrange an in-person recording session.
If you're not in Melbourne, we can record remotely via Discord!
IMPORTANT: A good-quality microphone and clear audio, free from background noise, are essential for the recording. Please ensure there are no pops, squeaks, or distortions in the audio for the best quality. If needed, you’re welcome to book a recording booth near you, and I’ll be happy to compensate for the cost.
If you're cast for a role, I'll ask for your Discord ID to streamline communication between us and the rest of the cast. This will help coordinate recording sessions, share updates, and ensure a smooth collaboration throughout the project.
I'll be presenting the full animatic of the film, complete with my (very rough) audio placeholder, along with my pre-production art document. This will give you a clearer sense of the film's tone, style, and overall vision.
The film is scheduled for completion around the end of May or early June. The script and animatic are finalized, but if any changes arise, I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated.
Submission details:
You can also submit your demo voice files (preferably in .mp3 or .wav format) or links through the Google Form I’ve created!
When submitting, please include:
Your name
Your Discord ID
Your time zone
These are paid roles, but since I’m a broke uni student T.T, I unfortunately can’t afford industry-standard rates. However, I’ll do my best to compensate fairly! Voice actors will be paid $25–$30 AUD per hour, and composers will receive $40 AUD per minute of music.
Payments will be made via CommBank, PayPal, or Touch 'n Go, whichever is most convenient for you
DEADLINE:
Submissions close on 15th March!!
Thank you so, so much for your interest in my film and for taking the time to read through everything!! T.T I truly appreciate it, and I hope you’ll consider auditioning and helping bring this film to life! <3
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Ah Tong is the main character of this film. Having spent most of her life in Penang, Malaysia, she dreams of moving abroad to pursue her passion for music. At 17, she's a rebellious high schooler—tomboyish, independent, and currently deep in her ‘nobody understands me’ grumpy teen phase. A huge fan of rock and punk music, she spends most of her time in her room, lost in the sound of her guitar.
Important note:
Since this film is set in Penang, Malaysia, it's important to me that the voice actors have a Malaysian accent. If you can speak Hokkien, that would be a huge plus! There will also be a scene where the main characters speak entirely in Chinese, so fluency in Chinese is essential.
- english
- chinese
- malaysian english
- female young adult
- malaysian
- tomboy
- female teen
- casual
- animation
- boyish
- grumpy teen
Ah Tong : “Uhm… I don’t know, I just don’t think that I can do that here…
Ah Tong : “ I just uhm… 我一直觉得自己，不属于这里。我觉得它不能给我，我想要的东西。无论是我的梦想，我的追求，还是我的生活方式。”
Fang is the film’s secondary character and Ah Tong’s aunt. She moved to the United States in her early 20s and, now in her 30s, is visiting her hometown for the first time in years. Cheerful, bubbly, and full of energy, she radiates positivity. However, beneath her playful nature, she is also mature and understanding when the situation calls for it.
Since Fang has lived in the United States for years, I imagine her speaking with a slight American accent, though it's not a strict requirement. Her voice has a warm and mature tone, reflecting her age and experience, but also carries a lively, cheerful energy. She speaks with enthusiasm and charm, yet can be calm and reassuring when needed.
- chinese
- english
- american
- animation
- female adult
- warm
- malaysian
- Cheerful
- calming
Fang : “Your mum told me thar you want to study in the states? What a coincidence, I just came back from there!”
Fang : “虽然。。。这里的路，很小，很麻烦，但，我又很喜欢我可以，很轻易地从东走到西。”
Ah Tong’s mum is the embodiment of a typical middle-aged Malaysian mother, warm, practical, and full of familiar parental quirks
I imagine her with a strong Malaysian Hokkien accent, similar to the lively aunties you’d hear at a wet market. Her voice reflects her mid-40s age—warm, expressive, and full of character.
- Hokkien
- chinese
- english
- female adult
- malaysian english
- malaysian
- warm
- mum
- female senior
- Auntie
Mum : “Ah girl, you should bring your aunt around Penang, she not here eight years already. Wah very long.”
Mum : “And it'll be good to not listen to your guitar, all day ping ping biang biang, so noisy, I cannot stand la.”
I'm looking for a rock-inspired soundtrack to match the film's tone, as the main character, Ah Tong, is a passionate guitarist and a huge fan of rock music.
At the start of the film, there's a scene where Ah Tong plays her guitar alone in her room, and I need a dynamic guitar solo to capture that moment. The placeholder track I’m currently using is the instrumental of Cannonball by The Breeders (not a guitar solo, but thats the vibe I am going for), so I’m looking for something with a similar raw, energetic feel.
Cannonball by The Breeders link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGPXqFMkv9E
There is also a scene where Ah Tong and Fang explore different parts of Penang, and I’ll need background music to complement the atmosphere. This moment in the film is reflective and nostalgic, as Fang revisits her hometown after years away, and Ah Tong sees it through a different lens. The placeholder track I’m currently using is the instrumental of Here’s Where the Story Ends by The Sundays, so I’m looking for something with a similarly dreamy, bittersweet feel.
Here’s Where the Story Ends by The Sundays link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slNYveNnQTg
Lastly, there will be a final scene set during Chinese New Year, where I’ll need festive, traditional-style music to bring the atmosphere to life. This scene is meant to feel lively and celebratory, filled with the warmth of family gatherings, vibrant decorations, and the energy of the festivities.
The placeholder track I’m currently using is a very typical, recognizable Chinese New Year tune, the kind you’d expect to hear in bustling markets, family homes, or on the streets during the celebrations. I’m looking for something in a similar vein, incorporating traditional Chinese instruments.
Placeholder track im using (not the exact one, but something similar):
*Say something you think would fit*
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