RWBY: Gears of Fate
Project Overview
RWBY: Gears of Fate is a rewrite of Rooster Teeth's animated web series that I've been working on. It's been really enjoyable, but I would like to make it more than just something people can read. I'd like to make it an audiobook of sorts so that people can listen to it, rather than just stare at a webpage and read it. At the very least, I'd need some voice talent, but original music would also be great to have, if possible.
I'm trying to respect the work Rooster Teeth has done up until the end of Volume 8 - which is when I started planning - but I've made alterations to some characters as far as motivations and backstories go. Some semblances have been changed, new characters have been created to help flesh out Remnant, and while the end goal of defeating Salem is the same, the journey there will be different.
Here's the story itself, along with a summary, so you can read it and decide if you find it interesting enough to want to audition.
Fighting the Grimm. Defending against the Grimm. Training to defeat the Grimm. Huntsmen and Huntresses are symbols of Remnant’s eternal struggle for peace and tranquility. Both against the Creatures of Grimm, and each other. Does it matter, though? If your town was meant to be destroyed; if your defenses were meant to fail; if your loved ones were meant to die? If there is such a thing as fate, and all your actions can do nothing to prevent pain and suffering that had been set in stone, is there a point in even trying?
Like all those aspiring to be Huntsmen, Ruby Rose is no stranger to loss and heartache. She, though, rejects the idea of fate, and the notion that her attempts to save lives are all futile, all due to the whims of some unknown cosmic force. Her foremost wish is to forge a future made by the people of Remnant, wholly in their own control, no matter what it would cost to make it a reality.
I'm willing to answer any questions a person has about the project, so you can make an informed decision on if you would want to participate.
Some very important disclaimers:
Assuming there's any interest in this at all, everyone - including myself - would be a volunteer.
As of right now, the deadline to audition is September 21st. With this being a volunteer passion project, this deadline is rather loose. I will do my best to respond to people soon after that date, but if there isn't much interest at this moment, I might renew the project later to see if the other roles can still be filled.
You will need to have reliable access to a decent microphone and a quiet, private environment for recording.
There is no guarantee that there will be enough interest in something like this for it to even get off the ground. While I do hope there would be, if you find this interesting, I hope you won't be too disappointed if the whole thing gets shelved.
Most importantly, please only audition if you enjoy what you read or whatever you hear from me, if you ask questions, and you're in for the long haul. Especially for the main four, this would be a long term project. I basically planned to "write" a show in the sense that each Volume will be around the length of each RWBY Volume, though some will end up longer than the 12-14 chapters the show's done. I fully expect the story to go well beyond 100 chapters because of this. Characters introduced early on will be around for a long time, so that's definitely something to keep in mind.
There will be many more characters later on. So if there's someone from canon that you'd like to audition for but they aren't listed, you're free to just keep an eye out or ask me to keep you posted.
I haven't been able to add my Discord tag to the project itself, for some reason, but you're free to reach out to me via sadegun93#6230 as well.
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The narrator is not a character, but the voice that guides the reader - or listener - through the story. If it isn't dialogue, the narrator is communicating it to people. Their main purpose is to be a soothing voice for people to listen to for extended periods of time, whenever the characters aren't talking.
Because they'd be reading all text that isn't dialogue, they're probably the most important role, as well as the one that will have the most work to do, so that's something very important to keep in mind, should you audition.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Summer has just finished telling her daughter a story while they're at a local park. The Narrator is describing the scene the two are in.]
"The fair skinned woman looked down at the little girl sitting on the bench beside her, who shared her same complexion and jet black hair. The girl was looking at her with wide, gleaming silver eyes. As she ended her story, she reached down and lightly poked the girl’s nose. The girl started giggling wildly."
[Ruby and Yang are at their mother's grave, passing the time talking to her, something Ruby finds very soothing.]
"She stopped by Summer’s grave, a somber smile on her face. Ruby patted the blanket and scooted over so Yang could join her. The two sisters spent a few hours talking to their mother. She wasn’t there anymore, but Ruby found comfort in moments like this, taking time to visit her, and update her on what was going on in her life. Even if her mom couldn’t talk to her, or hold her anymore, the thought of her soul being out there somewhere, watching over and listening to her made her miss her less, even if only a little bit."
Ruby has to sound youthful, optimistic, and boisterous, yet still unsure of herself at times, given her age, anxiety, and inexperience. She can sound small and nervous in some situations, but commanding and encouraging in others, when the need arises.
Being one of the main four, Ruby would be a very active role with a lot of dialogue, so for anyone who would want to audition for her, that's something important to keep in mind.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Ruby is at her mother's grave, trying to update her on what's been going on in her life lately.]
(Happy, energetic)
Heh. It’s just a roast beef sandwich, but it doesn’t hold a candle to yours! I’ll keep working at it though… I-I’m done with my first year at Signal! It wasn’t easy, but I made it through! Uncle Qrow is a saint, I swear! I don’t know what I’d do if he wasn’t there to help me out. Two more years, and then I can take a shot at Beacon Academy in the capital!
[Ruby is still at her mother's grave, informing her on the recent happenings in her life.]
(Proud, gleeful)
Oh, yeah! Yang got into Beacon! We just found out a few weeks ago. Dad was so happy! Well, Yang was super excited, too! And I was, too! I just know you’d be so, so proud of her!
(Voice wavering, growing more uncertain and fearful, ending on the verge of tears)
But…she’ll be leaving soon. She’ll just be a flight away, but… she won’t be here. She won’t be at home. She won’t be in the bed right next to mine. She might be too busy with her friends to remember her little sister back home. I’ll only really get to see her during summer and winter break because I don’t know when she’ll want to go home. I don’t really know what I’m going to do without her, mom… I’m… scared.
Weiss speaks very clearly and eloquently. She maintains an air of professionalism and dignity at all times, and even when she does lose her temper, she tries to remain classy. It's very rare for her to not be speaking in a clear, straightforward tone, but when she is more vulnerable, she can at times sound like a completely different person, whether it be someone much more soft spoken and unsure of themselves, or someone much louder and more forceful.
Being one of the main four, Weiss would be a very active role with a lot of dialogue, so for anyone who would want to audition for her, that's something important to keep in mind.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Weiss's brother is taunting her about her decision to fight a Grimm to prove to her father that she's worthy of going to Beacon. She's lashing out at him for saying that she might be scarred in some way.]
(Loud, irritated)
“My appearance doesn’t matter! If it means freedom, let my face be smashed in, if that’s what it takes!”
[Weiss is before her father and older sister, reaffirming her resolve to take her father's test.]
(Resolute, composed, confident)
“I am wholly intent on confirming my enrollment to Beacon Academy, as I’ve told you. Whatever it is you have in store for me today, I won’t run from it.”
Normally, Blake's voice is rather quiet and aloof. She is a prime example of a mysterious person you want to learn more about, with how little emotion her voice often betrays. When she grows closer to people and gets more comfortable, though, she becomes much more expressive. However, her voice still retains a certain sense of calmness and maturity that carry over.
Being one of the main four, Blake would be a very active role with a lot of dialogue, so for anyone who would want to audition for her, that's something important to keep in mind.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Blake and Adam have found the Dust they were looking for, and Adam casually mentions that he wants to run the train into a ravine.]
(Shocked, aghast)
“You’re going to derail the train?!”
[Adam has tried to justify his decision to derail the train, regardless of the safety of the crew, and Blake is pushing back against him.]
(Exasperated, voice wavering, almost tearful)
“And maybe, maybe you could excuse the guards! Who knows what else they’ve done for this terrible company! But the engineers! People running communications! The conductor! They’re all civilians!”
This Yang should sound lively, energetic and confident. However, there should be a certain air of maturity to her voice as well, given the fact that she helped Taiyang raise Ruby, after Summer's death. Her voice should help put someone at ease, and let them know they can depend on her.
Being one of the main four, Yang would be a very active role with a lot of dialogue, so for anyone who would want to audition for her, that's something important to keep in mind.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Yang is talking to her dad about how she'll soon be leaving home for school]
(Resigned, guilty)
“I think it feels a lot more real now. It’s just… I feel sort of bad about leaving Ruby behind.”
[Taiyang has commented on his daughter staying up really late and wrecking her sleep schedule before school begins]
(Dismissive, playful)
“Yeah, I know, I know! …I’ll fix myself before classes at Beacon actually start. Just want to enjoy the freedom while it lasts, you know?”
Summer's role is a very small one, despite how important she is to Ruby, Yang, and Taiyang. She should effectively sound like an older version of Ruby. At the very least, Summer should have a sort of energy and joy in her voice that makes it clear where Ruby got that part of her personality from.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Summer has just finished telling her daughter a story, and the two are talking about how true the story is, and Summer's work as a huntress]
(Loving, protective, proud)
“That’s right. And I’ll keep on fighting them, so that you and Yang can be happy and safe. So that I can protect your smiles.”
Taiyang should sound loving and welcoming. His voice should be one that can help someone to feel at ease when times are tough, a skill he's honed after years of raising his daughter primarily on his own. While he's a gentle man by nature, he's more than capable of sounding more threatening and dangerous if the need arises.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Taiyang and Yang are talking about her impending departure for Beacon, and she's feeling guilty about leaving her little sister behind]
(Contemplative, reassuring)
“It’ll be the first time in your entire lives that the two of you aren’t together. This’ll be a very important first. It won’t be easy, but the two of you are going to have to learn to be apart at some point. Just think of your time away as the perfect chance for Ruby to become more independent and get out of her shell. You want that for her, don’t you?”
When he isn't angry, Jacques speaks with little to no emotion. He is all business, and is concerned only with getting his point across to whoever it is he's talking to. His temper is rather short, and when he is angry, his voice tends to get much higher.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Jacques is present for a test Weiss has requested to be allowed to attend Beacon Academy. Jacques is explaining the failure condition]
(Forceful, slight disgust)
“The moment I decide that you’ve been defeated, the test is over and you’ll be enrolled in Atlas Academy. Is that clear?”
[Weiss has successfully completed her test, and Jacques has little choice but to give in to her demands]
(Furious, frustrated)
“Very well! Go and enroll! I expect to hear nothing but good things about you out of that school, you hear me?!”
Adam isn't too loud or emotional when he talks. However, there is almost always an underlying anger in his words. He can be casual and relaxed, most often when talking with Blake, but he often sounds like he's irritated with the people he's talking to, because of his ever present anger at the state of the world and the fact that he needs to do the things he does.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Adam and Blake have just fought a group of human guards, and she's feeling uneasy and nauseous seeing the carnage]
(Detached, determined)
“We’re in too deep to turn back now, Blake. We’re seeing this mission through. Let’s go.”
[Blake tries to object to Adam's plan of derailing the train with its crew inside by asking him to think about their families]
(Annoyed, mild frustration - frustrated, but not overly expressive or loud about it)
“I doubt they care about the families of faunus they destroy by supporting that pig, Schnee. We don’t owe it to them to care about their families when they couldn’t give a damn about ours.”
Winter is effectively an older Weiss. They have very similar styles of speaking, being exemplars of an Atlesian high society woman. Winter's voice can often be perceived as colder and more stern. She is more curt and blunt, which robs her voice of some of the gentleness that Weiss's might have. When the sister's are together, though, Winter can find her voice growing softer and more tender.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Weiss has completed her test successfully, and Winter is congratulating her after the fact]
(Proud)
You did very well, Weiss. Although, I think you could probably work a bit on your evasion.
(Confused)
You couldn’t see a giant metal fist flying towards your face?
Klein is usually very professional and formal with his speech. He speaks loud and clear so that his employers can always understand him and he doesn't have to waste their time repeating things. While he normally can be described as a typical butler, his range of expression is very wide, from happy to angry to bashful, and many others.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Weiss is seeking validation and reassurance in Klein]
(Proud, fatherly)
“Of course, mistress. I’ve seen your swordplay, and your skills leave me stunned each and every time.”
Much like his older sisters, Whitley speaks very clearly, with each of his words being able to be easily understood by those hearing him. His voice is quite boyish, which has led to some people thinking him younger than he really is. He speaks with the slightest hint of arrogance in his voice, stemming from a mild superior complex that comes with being a Schnee. This annoys many people he talks to, though he doesn't notice it.
I read through the four chapters that make up the Volume 0.5 that is being cast, totaling up the amount of words this role would say, and how long it took me to read them to myself. The estimated word count is that number rounded up to the nearest hundred and the total time rounded up to the nearest minute. As I was keeping time, I would round up by a second or two. So the count and read time aren't exact, but should be very close.
[Whitley is taunting his older sister as she heads off to fight a Grimm to prove herself to their father. He is trying to make her waver by mentioning how she might be scarred.]
(Taunting, icy)
“It would be a shame if anything happened to this lovely face of yours, don’t you think?”
This is just a robot. I'm not sure about what audio effects might be applied, so the more you can sound like a robot, the better. The audition line is also the only line the robot has.
[Your train has just been infiltrated, and you've been activated]
(Monotone, robotic)
INTRUDERS. IDENTIFY YOURSELVES.
This is a generic guard. They're paranoid about who infiltrated the train, and are worried about the well being of them and their fellow guards, but there isn't much to them.
[You're on standby with your fellow guards. You've been notified that the train has been infiltrated, and you're on high alert]
(Wary, alert)
They must be the ones that tripped the alarms.
This is a generic guard. They're paranoid about who infiltrated the train, and are worried about the well being of them and their fellow guards, but there isn't much to them.
[You're on standby with your fellow guards. You've been notified that the train has been infiltrated, and you're on high alert]
(Stunned, disbelief)
Look at her… a faunus.
This is a generic guard. Considering what they've seen, they're terrified for their life. The audition line is also the only line this guard has.
[You've just witnessed Adam Taurus run through gunfire and choke the life out of one of your colleagues, and he doesn't appear to be fazed by any of the bullets that hit him]
(Whisper, mortified)
They really are monsters…
If possible, I think it would be nice to create original music for the project as well, to play in the background. Effectively just making an OST. Voice work is the most crucial part of this project, but I think original music could really help to enhance the experience.
A composer would effectively recreate the RWBY OST, with the sorts of genres explored and feelings evoked. This role would also come with writing lyrics for some songs, as well.
Say something you think would fit
Would work closely with a potential composer to provide the vocals for any potential original songs with lyrics. Lyrics are not presently written, so any singing you have to show off would work perfectly fine as an audition.
N/A
This is just something that would be nice to have, but should there be enough interest in this to go forward with production, I think it would be nice to have some images to go along with the audio for something like a YouTube video, so that it wouldn't simply be a black screen.
Say something you think would fit
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