Records from the Reaver: a new queer sci-fi fantasy fiction pod
Project Overview
RECORDS FROM THE REAVER
THE PREMISERecords from the Reaver is an 18 episode sci-fi fantasy slice-of-life audio drama told in three acts, set in the distant future of a version of our world where there is, and always has been, magic. It focuses on the (somewhat incompetent) year 3 cadets aboard The Reaver, one of many spaceships in the galaxy’s police academy fleet, where between “charming” dozy pilots, small planet drug deals, and their own teenage nonsense the crew always seems to have something on their hands - but when a rebel stowaway is found aboard the reaver, and interpersonal drama gives way to intergalactic schemes, what will the crew do? And how will this exposure to the dystopian reality they live in change who they are?
HOW TO AUDITION?
The deadline for auditions is the 31st July at 11:59 GMT.
To audition, please use this Google Form, or if you'd prefer feel free to also audition how you usually would here on ccc. If you are using the google form, the extracts for characters can be found at the bottom of this document. Please only read the lines of your chosen character. You are welcome to read opposite someone else, and you may audition for as many characters as you like. Please upload your audition files under the format “YOURNAME_CHARACTERNAME” and export the files as either .WAV or .MP3 files only. Please do not do more than three takes per line, and format your audition in an AA,BB,CC format (that is to say, put all of your takes for line A together, then B). There are no specific mic requirements - just make sure to have minimal background noise and a good level of quality but please specify if you will be recording on equipment other than what you used for your audition, in the actual show.
We are only accepting auditions for those 16+. If you are not over sixteen years old by the 31st July when auditions close, then we will not be accepting your audition. There is no cap on the age limit, however please take into consideration the age of the characters you are auditioning for and whether or not your voice would suit them.
You must be available to record all 3 acts
The show will rehearse/record remotely as such:
Act 1 August-Mid September 2022
Act 2 January-Mid February 2023
Act 3 July-Mid August 2023
Records from the Reaver will be an unpaid project.
We will be casting gender blind so feel free to audition for any and all the characters you might like!
Additionally, we are prioritising auditions from members of the LGBTQ+ community. We would like our cast to be diverse as our characters! There are also no accent requirements, however for a few characters we may specify what accents we would prefer, you can still audition for these characters even if you have a different accent!
After your first audition you may be given the part immediately, or you might be asked for a recall.
There are 12 auditionable characters, more information on each of them and their audition extracts can be found on the next few pages.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to message us here, or email us at recordsfromthereaverpod @gmail.com
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Kay (short for Katherine) is top of her class in every lesson and two-year-running chief of year 3. She is an ambitious person who loves the academic side of policing but uh, not so much the running around shooting things side, although she’s always up for a bit of heroics when the opportunity presents itself. A deeply anxious person, Kay spends much of her time second-guessing her abilities and slowly being crushed by the weight of her own expectations, oh and some newly emerging insomnia. She can often be socially awkward, and is going through a lot after having just ended her first long-term relationship, confused about her identity, and stuck with a few friendships that need a bit of work. Kay strongly believes in the government and that she is making the world safer, she spends much of the show unlearning this and grappling with the realisation that everything she has based her sense of self around is a lie.
Would you like to go to hell? I think that’s where I’m heading… god I sound crazy, was I crazy? To go here in the first place? Ugh pfft, come on! I’m Katherine fucking Harmon, the best cadet the academy has ever seen! Criminals quake in their boots upon seeing me! Well maybe not… what if I never make it, Reaver? What if I'm just not good enough?
It's not really, let your eyes adjust. And mind the-”
SOMETHING SHATTERS AS INGRID TRIPS OVER IT.
“Spellwork…”
It’s not like I don't have homework here, is it? Huh? I’ll just comm the captain that my friends have imprisoned me, he’ll understand, he’s got to, right?
BEAT
Yeah of course he will
BEAT
What do you think about that Reaver? Huh?
SILENCE
“Reaver?”
NO REPLY
(dramatic as usual)
“Even you’ve abandoned me… you hear that? ABANDONED me!”
Sky is a firecracker easy to ignite. She refuses to be wrong and won't back down without a fight, never one to apologise; she relies on her magnetic personality to get people to crawl back to her after arguments. Sky is naturally talented at most skills, especially combat, but feels jealous of top student Kay, even though she doesn't have to practice where Kay does. Deep down she is very insecure but she treats people like they are below her and is very vocal about what she considers “cool” or “uncool”. She is the on and off best friend, and eventual girlfriend of Kay, with whom she has a dysfunctional if slightly toxic relationship at the start of the show.
for this character we will also be prioritising Asian actors, as we know the importance of representation both in front of and behind the scenes.
AJ! Focus! We have to beat Kay and Jacob, if I figure this out the captain might make me chief!
Come on, the second pilot of the day that’s had to be magically awoken. Think!
Why are you here?
Ingrid is the life of the party. With an ever changing mood and a penchant for off-kilter humour, she is both impulsive, and likes to have a plan. Skilled at fire magic, her abilities reveal her more aggressive side. She has no patience for useless drama but loves a bit of gossip.
(whispering)
Hey babes. is… uh is Sky still up?
No, but thank you reaver, so so, so much, this has been highly illuminating
You heard what my new bestie the Reaver said, get some sleep
It’s not kidnapping if we're taking you to your own room
Laine is a soft-spoken second-year training to be a bio specialist. They don't like violence very much but can pack a mean punch when crossed. They are Kay’s ex and at the start of the show, heartbroken and distant, but slowly they build themselves back up and form new friendships, most notably with AJ.
Oh um I brought this
THEY OFFER UP A SMALL PACKAGE, THE WRAPPING RUSTLES.
It’s for her birthday, I got it before- uh- yeah, but I still wanted her to have it.
Do not try me, I will chuck you out the window. Why don't you use those muscles to stop the stuff from breaking?
LAINE
“I’ll take it back if you don’t want it”
(KAY
“Nooo”)
LAINE
“Ok… idiot”
(KAY
“Hey!”)
LAINE
“It’s true, what kind of person doesn't wear a jacket in the freezing cold of- literal space?”
(KAY (preening)
“Uhhh stylish ones”)
LAINE LAUGHS
LAINE
“I should bring a spare for you then silly child”
AJ has a massive ego to cover up some deep-rooted insecurities. He is still completely smitten with his first love, Ingrid, but he expresses this in some very confusing ways, locked into a passive aggressive back and forth with her. He has deeply internalised ideas about his masculinity and sexuality which limit both his view of the world and his ability to connect with other people. Eventually he bonds with Laine and together they work to break down his emotional walls. Out of everyone in the group AJ is the most enthusiastic and gung-ho about combat. He never questions the orders he is given, but will try to protect everyone he can, and deep down has a heart of gold. He is definitely the tank of the group.
1
2
3
Jacob is the therapist friend of the group. He is deeply sarcastic and has a dry but witty sense of humour. Jacob is a cyborg and most of his brain is made of wires intricately connected to The Reaver. This allows him to do incredible things such as locate anyone on the ship and answer any question there is a known answer to, however, he often feels that his friends only want to be around him due to his abilities, or to unload their problems onto him.
As I've told you before, I only know facts, quantifiable data, I can't just scan people’s feelings… you’d think that after ten years 11 months and two days of friendship you’d understand.
Kay. I can find any person on this ship in the blink of an eye, I can find answers to the most obscure of questions, I can live for millennia, I could probably take over the whole galaxy if I wanted to just with ‘this brain of mine’. Finding out if Sky has a crush is at the very bottom of my list of ‘great things’
Okay, fine, it might be a bit higher up than that, but still- it’s not something I can just do I have to ask like the rest of us.
The voice of the Reaver is overly helpful and insistent, positive to a fault even when describing atrocities.
1am ship time. for your continued health and wellness we suggest an average of 7 to 9 hours of sleep, based on your alarm, you are not set to meet this goal, would you like to change your alarm? As it is now you might struggle with tiredness or fatigue, Slowed thinking, Reduced attention span, Worsened memory, Poor or-
I am not able to grant your request right now
But I can offer you my automated therapy procedure
(in a slightly more calming voice) What seems to be bothering you?
Investigator Barnett is the government worker tasked with documenting the lead-up to the crew of the Reaver’s mutiny. They love their job but hate the people they work with, and approach everything with bravado and a splash of dry humour. They are able to handle even the most harrowing things in the name of their job. However, despite their hard exterior Barnett is a deeply emotional person and sympathises maybe a little too much with those they observe. They are the narrator of the show.
This is Investigator Ezra Barnett opening case 721, report of the events aboard the Reaver: imperial academy ship 37, leading up to and including the crew’s mutiny on 13th of the 3rd quarter 7085 as lead by unit 42, also known as the year 3 cadets under Chief Katherine Harmon, appointed 60th of the first quarter 7085.
EZRA YAWNS
God that’s a lot of numbers.
SHE SWIVELS ON HER CHAIR
Right. In layman's terms for the poor sod who’s gonna review this, it’s just a standard report, I’m meant to scan for any interesting information, why did they mutiny? How can we stop it from happening again? And then put it away quietly. I’ve done this so many times by now and no doubt you have so let’s skip the pleasantries and get to it. This is a big case, probably the biggest you’ve dealt with so far but no worries we have procedures, and procedures save lives.
SHE ROLLS ACROSS THE ROOM ON HER CHAIR AND FLICKS A SWITCH, DOZENS OF SPEAKERS FLICKER TO LIFE.
Since the only reliable surveillance we were able to retrieve was audio, I’ve booted up the old speakers, the ones that wrap around the whole room. We don’t use them much anymore but I’d really like to get a sense for these scoundrels, like I’m actually on the Reaver with them, plus the static is kinda soothing, here, have a listen.
EZRA HOLDS HIS RECORDER TO ONE OF THE SPEAKERS CRACKLING WITH STATIC
There we are, that sound will be my constant companion over the next month or so, my only companion… apart from you, I guess.
EZRA CRACKS HIS KNUCKLES
Case 50 of my career, here we go.
Captain Abernathy wanted to be in the army but after a tragic motorbike accident left him unable to pass the physical exam he ended up as a captain in the police academy fleet. Now he’s stuck shepherding a bunch of irritating teenagers. He really, really isn't happy about this.
Okay team. As far as I’ve observed there’s been a problem with the ship. Big surprise there. We were currently heading towards Yaxi but at our current path we’ll completely miss by about 700 miles. We were sailing smoothly, so to speak, ”
HE CHUCKLES TO HIMSELF. THERE IS NO JOY IN IT. DRYER THAN THE SAHARA.
and then we went off course.
FX4YJ, this is no laughing matter. - where’s Laine?
I’ll leave you lot to it, consider it a lesson in team-building, or… something.
(KAY
“But sir!”)
I believe in you!
There are two sides to Wren: a charismatic arsehole facade, and his real identity as a rebel spy smuggling information down to earth. He straddles the line between charming people and making them hate him just enough that they aren’t too interested in anything he’s doing.
In this scene Wren is somewhat flirtatious and gives a gift to Kay
WREN SHUFFLES THROUGH HIS POCKETS AND RETRIEVES A SMALL METAL BOX, HE PLACES IT ON THE TABLE
WREN
“Do me a favour though?”(KAY
“Sure”)
WREN
“Open it alone”
If I’d known you ladies were so beautiful, I'd have made more of an effort to meet you before now, chief I presume?
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