Return to Sender (excerpt)
Project Overview
A criminal delivery has gone to the wrong address. Reece thinks he can turn the mistake into a promotion opportunity. First, he needs Emre to agree on what “actually” happened.
RETURN TO SENDER is a grounded, darkly comic crime thriller set in contemporary Britain. I’m looking for three voice actors and an audio editor to bring two linked scenes from the completed television pilot script to life.
The first scene follows Reece and Emre as an argument over a delivery becomes a cover story. The second takes place in Emre’s van, where a call to their boss, Lloyd, tests Reece’s newfound confidence.
THE RECORDING
Approximately 540 spoken words across two scenes, with an estimated finished length of four to six minutes. The script is complete and the project is audio only.
The performances should feel natural and conversational. These characters take their work, grievances and ambitions seriously. The humour comes through their behaviour, including the gap between how important they feel and how much control they actually have.
THE ACTING ROLES
Reece — approximately 310 words. Ambitious and insecure about his standing. He asserts authority over Emre, invents a solution, then becomes carefully helpful when speaking to his boss. A short role with several changes of status.
Emre — approximately 120 words. Practical, defensive when blamed and capable of standing up to Reece. He needs the job, and the invented explanation starts to look useful to him too. His shorter replies carry much of the scene’s tension and humour.
Lloyd — approximately 110 words, heard over the telephone. An unhurried boss who can offer encouragement and casually undermine someone in the same conversation. Cockney or Multicultural London English.
AUDIO EDITOR / SOUND DESIGNER
I’m looking for someone interested in shaping dialogue, interruptions and uncomfortable silences. The sound design is modest: an exterior at night, a moving van and a telephone conversation.
The role covers dialogue assembly, reasonable cleanup, light sound design and a final mix. I’ll handle casting, provide the script and character context, organise recordings and give consolidated feedback. Your input on recording requirements would be welcome before the actors record.
Please send relevant examples of work you have already edited and explain which elements were yours. There is no bespoke editing test.
ABOUT ME
I’m Ed Turner, a British writer with ten years’ experience in the civil service and consulting. That background feeds into the series’ workplace politics: people protecting their position, managing upwards and turning problems into someone else’s responsibility.
I’ve completed the pilot and developed the six-episode series outline. This is my first audio production, so I’m starting with a short, fully scripted excerpt and a manageable commitment.
COLLABORATING
This is an unpaid, remote project. Contributors will receive credits and a finished copy, with agreed extracts available for portfolios and reels. Professional credits are not required; I’m interested in the fit of your performance or editing work.
Recording dates will be agreed around availability. A short shared read with the actors would be welcome if schedules allow.
The initial aim is to hear these scenes performed and develop the script. If the excerpt works well and everyone is interested, we may discuss recording the full pilot. This call covers only the two scenes; further work would be agreed separately.
Contains strong language and discussion of criminal activity and firearms.
Licensed photograph credited to Alexander London via Unsplash.
AI USE DISCLOSURE
The finished excerpt will use human performers and a human audio editor. No audition or recording will be used for AI training, voice cloning or synthetic voice generation, and no performer will be replaced by an AI-generated voice. These protections will be included in the written contributor agreement.
Voice Actor
LEAD ROLE — approximately 310 words across two linked scenes.
Reece is an ambitious, status-conscious criminal who believes a serious mistake can be converted into an opportunity. He bullies Emre when they are alone, but becomes conspicuously helpful and eager to impress when their boss calls.
The performance should reveal the anxiety and insecurity beneath his confidence. Please avoid playing him as a conventional hard man: the humour comes from how seriously he takes his own leadership abilities and workplace prospects.
The first audition line is directed at Emre he must show genuine anger, frustration and anxiety, the second line is also directed at emre where he displays confidence, superiority, and arrogance, and the third line he displaces submissive tone to his boss.
Contemporary British accent; regionally open. Natural, responsive delivery is more important than an imposing voice.
Please record the three short audition lines once in order. One alternative interpretation is welcome but not required. Clean, untreated audio only; no music or effects.
- english
- british
- male adult
- conversational
- assertive
- male young adult
- anxious
No. No, it can't wait, you dick. Do you understand what this is? This is embarrassing. What is Lloyd going to think—
You were intercepted. Professional job. You gave them the parcel—but only because they put a gun to your head. That's the scenario.
I'm focused on the job at hand, boss. I just want to be of use.
Audio Engineer
Approximately four-to-six minutes of finished audio.
I'm looking for an audio editor interested in dialogue, uncomfortable pauses and understated comic tension. The excerpt comprises two linked scenes from a completed British television pilot: an argument outside a flat, followed by a moving-van scene containing a telephone call.
The proposed scope is:
• Assemble three remotely recorded performances
• Perform reasonable dialogue cleanup and editing
• Add restrained exterior and moving-van atmosphere
• Add a phone ring and telephone treatment for Lloyd
• Mix and deliver a high-quality master and listening copy
• Complete one consolidated revision round
No original score, extensive effects or video edit is required. I would welcome your advice on recording specifications before the actors record.
This is an unpaid collaboration. You will receive a named audio-editing/sound-design credit, the finished excerpt and permission to use agreed extracts in your portfolio. A recording of the full pilot could be discussed separately if the excerpt succeeds and everyone wants to continue; this role covers only the short excerpt.
Please submit one or two relevant examples, identify which elements you handled, and briefly describe your availability and preferred workflow. Professional credits are not required, and there is no bespoke unpaid editing test.
- english
- sound design
- dialogue editing
- audio mixing
- Audio Cleanup
*Say something you think would fit*
Voice Actor
SUPPORTING ROLE — approximately 120 words across two linked scenes.
Emre made the delivery and insists he followed Reece's instructions. He is practical, irritated at being blamed and capable of standing up for himself. He also needs the job, so when Reece invents an explanation that makes Emre the victim rather than the culprit, he immediately recognises its value.
His shorter replies carry much of the tension and understated humour. He should never sound foolish or merely submissive.
A natural Turkish accent is preferred. British-Turkish voices with a lighter or blended accent are very welcome, and performers with other contemporary British accents may also audition if they fit the character. Please avoid an exaggerated or imitated accent.
Please record the three short audition lines once in order. One alternative interpretation is welcome but not required. Clean, untreated audio only; no music or effects.
- english
- male adult
- turkish
- Grounded
- Dry
- british
- conversational
I am delivering where you say. Every time. Every time, where you say—
You know I can speak to Lloyd too. I can tell him everything.
I come off better in that scenario.
SUPPORTING TELEPHONE ROLE — approximately 110 words in one scene.
Lloyd is Reece and Emre's boss. He speaks with the ease of someone who controls the work, resources and opportunities. He can sound considerate, encourage Reece and casually diminish him within the same conversation.
Please avoid an overt gangster performance. His authority should feel managerial and ordinary; the final comparison with Reece's father can be delivered almost affectionately, which makes it land harder.
British accent; regionally open, but I'd love to hear cockney or Multicultural London English. Telephone processing will be added during editing, so please submit untreated audio.
Please record the three short audition lines once in order. One alternative interpretation is welcome but not required.
- english
- Middle-aged
- male adult
- british
- authoritative
- calm
- understated
How is Emre?
We have exactly two firearms in circulation right now and both are in use. You'll have to go bare knuckles.
Your old man would've had this back by Sunday.
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