Audio Book (Paid) 'Serpents of the Heart'

Audio Book (Paid) 'Serpents of the Heart'

Project Overview

Finished project: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfDSeJ7WKmw&t=39s


Hello everyone,

I am currently looking to recruit three skilled and professional male voice actors to join a team of  talented people well underway into work on an audio book.

The actors I'm looking for will be able to take direction well and be able to convincingly and passionately convey a wide range of emotions.

Those actors who put A LOT of  emotion into their auditions and go above and beyond are far more likely to be cast. Good luck!


Serpents of the Heart is a dark/low fantasy short story (roughly 45 pages) and is based on another much longer narrative written by the same author. While the larger story  'The Land Itself' focused on 'Yaran Sarthorus', among a myriad of other characters, in the present day, Serpents of the Heart deals with his early childhood. Both stories are a passion project created by my brother. Each are brilliantly crafted and filled with many emotional scenes, and that's where I feel the challenge for the actors lies.

This won't be a standard audio book. I like to think of it more as an audio drama. (though that term sometimes has its own meaning) This emotional story will be layered with suitable instrumental background music, occasional sound effects and be brought to life by a host of talented voices. It will be very high energy and directed almost like a movie. It will be released before the end of the year.


Major Paid Roles:


Daedren (1260 words, £60) - Seeking Males aged 30+ (or those with an appropriate voice) to play Daedren Sarthorus, an esteemed warrior General around middle-age.

Xanados (430 words, £35) - Seeking Males in their  20's or early 30's (if their voice suits the part) to play the young adult Xanados, the secluded Lord of Altheon. 


Minor Paid Roles:


Messenger to Morissa (40 words, £5) - Seeking Males aged 20+. More information below.


Please audition or message me if you'd prefer to send your audition via email.

Actors may be cast prior to the deadline!

Thank you.

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Latest Updates

  • Serpents of the Heart is up on YouTube

    Hello, the project has finally been released. You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfDSeJ7WKmw&t=39s Thanks. - Ryan
  • Project cancelled

    Project cancelled
  • Update 8 - New character added

    Hello, I have added a new character, 'Messenger to Morissa'. Feel free to audition for this new role. Thanks. - Ryan
  • Update 7 - Pay increased for Daedren

    Hello, I have increased the payment slightly for the role of Daedren. - Ryan
  • Update 6 - Daedren and Xanados Roles re-opened!

    Hello everyone, the roles of Daedren and Xanados have been re-opened. I'm eager to hear new actors for these roles but if you auditioned for one of these characters previously don't hesitate to audition again as there are new sample lines to be recorded. These lines have a higher word count than the last so I can better gauge the skill of the actor auditioning. Thank you! - Ryan
Voice Actor
Voice Actor
Daedren
open
Unpaid

Daedren is a high-ranking man who is around middle-age. Throughout the story he transitions from an esteemed and hardy warrior General who is filled with hope as he is reunited with his wife and son to a pious and hateful man who cares only for the love of the Gods.

'To the right of the captain stood a man in shining plate armour which glinted gold in the light of Lashazul. Fair was he to look upon, for his features were broad and handsome and his flaxen hair was slicked and wavy. Yaran knew him as Daedren Sarthorus, general and father.'

Voice direction: Accent neutral (no specific accent) or a subtle English.  Seeking Males aged 30+ (or those with an appropriate voice) to play Daedren Sarthorus, an esteemed warrior General around middle-age.


[Bracketed words not to be read]

Pronunciation guide:

Balteros: Bal-ter-oh-s
Altheon: Al-thee-on
Shaldokos: Shall-doh-kos
Unshathar: Oon-sha-thar
Shaldalini: Shall-dal-een-ee


  • [Then the general went forth and lent his sword to thethe lord.] 'My heart swells to be within these walls againBalteros' son, for though I come bearing grave news, all isnot lost and I deem all shall be right and good in Altheon.Hear me! I have seen the workings of the gods first-hand.'
    [Direction and explanation: Daedren returns from a lengthy absence to his beloved city of Altheon. He addresses his Lord speaking loudly for all to hear. He declares with a mounting sense of hope and pride that even though he is soon to tell of worrisome news he has no fear. This reaches its climax as he explains LOUDLY, turning from the Lord and addressing those around him, that he has seen something great in his travels.

  • 'Thou gods hath tested me greatly, but I failed my purpose. I set upon this heathen land to bring Men into your embrace and when they denied it I sought to remove their impurity from your world[...] 'Never shall I ascend in glory to Shaldokos and behold the soul-lights of my fathers. I have not the strength of The Messenger. I am Unshathar. I am he who the gods detest.'
    [Direction and explanation: Daedren, having walked aimlessly in unknown lands for many days, and having resolved to end his own life lays down his sword and cries out to the gods. He speaks with a sorrowful voice  just barely holding back tears. Beginning at 'never shall I ascend...' the greatest of the despair overcomes him. As suicide is imminent he turns inwards in despair, anger and madness and speaks to himself detailing what he has become.]

  • 'Shaldalini, these are busy days indeed and much is a foot, but duties are still duties. Say only a few words, let the people hear your voice and look upon your beauty. Then we shall retire if that is your wish.'
    [Direction and explanation: Morissa, Daedren's wife (also known as Shaldalini), feigns illness to leave a feast she does not wish to attend. Speaking in hushed tones so those around them do not hear. Daedren does his best to subdue his anger while saying that she must stay. The anger in his voice dissipates slowly with 'say only a few words' and onward.]

Voice Actor
Voice Actor
Xanados
open
Unpaid

Being only 18 years old at the start of the story, Xanados is the youngest Lord ever to ascend to power in Altheon. 



'There at the end of the chamber seated upon a golden cushion on a high white throne of polished marble was the lord Xanados. To look upon him was to behold a creature that had not known the warmth of the sun or of love. His face was gaunt and sullen like a dweller of the deep in some long forgotten wilderness. He was black of hair, the straight locks falling so far as his waist so that he seemed wrapped in a shadow deeper still than his hall'



Voice direction: Accent neutral (no specific accent) or a subtle English.  Seeking Males in their  20's or early 30's (if the voice suits the part) to play Xanados, a young adult, the secluded Lord of Altheon. Looking for a voice that can portray Xanados' royalty and his piety while at the same time maintaining a layer of simmering hatred and overconfidence. Despite his age he does not sound entirely youthful. 


[Bracketed words not to be read]


Pronunciation guide:


Solthari: S-all-thar-ee

Unshathar: Oon-sha-thar

Daedren: Day-dren




  • 'High Son,' [he said, thin lips turned to a smile.] 'Are you ready to face your test?' [...] 'Bring him.' 'Strike him down, High Son', [said Xanados.] 'I give you this command.''
    [Direction and explanation: Xanados addresses Yaran, the High-Son. He asks him in a dark and somber voice if he is ready to begin his test: The killing of a young Man. 

  • [Xanados leaned forward in his throne and he said:] 'The gods see all, my child. They see the light of the Solthari in your eyes though that is not yet there. They see the many battlefields upon which you shall be victorious, even as your father, if you be as strong as he in your manhood. If that may not be and you are to take after your mother's father, then all the unholy Unshathar shall you bend to the ways of The Messenger with blessed tongue. Yea, the gods see all your life laid out though you cannot. Tell me, child, how many winters have you known?'
    [Direction and explanation: The young child Yaran asks his mother  if the Gods can see him where he now stands. Xanados, who is sitting close by, ever brooding and snake-like leans forward and speaks to the child regarding his future. He speaks of the Solthari, a herb with mysterious properties that makes the users eyes turn a misty grey. He continues to speak to Yaran about the 'unshathar' or 'low ones' who are doomed to die or to be imprisoned if they do not follow the ways of the messenger.]

  • 'See, Daedren's son? Have no fear. The beast is tame. He speaks even as we do and is of no harm to you or your mother. In time all the creeping things of the earth shall know the light of the Three and the power of  their holy servants.' 
    [Direction and explanation: A prisoner scares Yaran, a young child. After the prisoner is gone Xanados laughs upon his throne. He finds the events that just occurred amusing. While he is in a way consoling the frightened Yaran he does not sound overly caring.

Voice Actor
Voice Actor
Messenger
open
Unpaid

EXPLANATION:


Morissa and her son Yaran are approached by royal messengers.

'As mother and son journeyed toward their home in the Eastern District, passing also the great hall of the lords of Altheon with its immaculate dome, a ruckus came up out of the Anaxuron and over the Disc. Messengers attired in sturdy leathers and white cloaks bearing the Sceptre in gold ran up to meet them. At once they begged leave to speak and bowed low before Morissa and her child.'

Line 1 is said.

Morissa replies slightly irked by the messenger. She asks why she must be escorted.


Line 2 is said.




DIRECTION:

This character would preferably have a deep and commanding voice.

This character should have a voice and tone suiting a royal messenger. He speaks in reverence to Morissa but also sounds proper and official. In line 1 he speaks as if to catch Morissa's attention as he is approaching from behind.  In line 2 he speaks with gravitas as he hints at dire news. Daedren, Morissa's wife has ordered this escort himself.



PRONUNCIATION GUIDE:

Sarthorus: Sar-thor-us

Anaxuhl:  An-AXE-ool

Daedren: Day - dren










  • [Line 1]: 'Priestess Sarthorus, you are to be escorted at once to the Anaxuhl.'

  • [Line 2:] 'I cannot say, Priestess. I was bidden to send this message by Daedren himself and this only do I know: many perils has your husband come through and much is changed.'

Voice Actor
Voice Actor
Morissa
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to: Cari Scholtens

[Bracketed] words not to be read.


'Now Morissa Sarthorus, being the wife of the general and herself the High Priestess of Altheon, was clad all in a fine purple raiment which wrapped around her like a serpent coiled upon a branch and about her wrists dangled bracelets of laced gold. Her eyes were dark, as was her hair, and these features Yaran bore in turn.'



Character Age: 30-40's+ (not entirely relevant)

Personality: Sharp, wise, calm, conflicted, tormented

Voice direction: Accent neutral (no specific accent) or a subtle English. Looking for a female voice with a dark quality about it.  Deep, dark, breathy, airy, sounds older than her years. Alternatively: Morrigan-esque (Dragon Age Origins) - Don't let this description put you off auditioning. You never know what voice will do the trick= 




  •  'Six winters, my lord,' [she said.] 'He has known six in this world. May he see many more before the gods take him and set his star in Shaldokos the Upper Kingdom.'  
    [The Lord of Altheon, an imposing figure, asks young Yaran what age he is. He cannot find the courage to reply so Morissa, his mother, fills the silence and replies for him. She speaks respectfully and properly to the Lord] [Shall-doe-cos]

  • 'All those who are wise know fear and are ever cowed andchastened to those wills that are yet stronger than they.'
    (Yaran, Morissa's Son tells her that he has no fear. Morissa reminds Yaran through words of wisdom that it is wise to know fear. She also reminds him through the next line that it is wise to obey his Mother, or to be cowed and chastened, because her will is stronger than his)

  • [Morissa's eyes narrowed.] 'Does not my husband wish toretreat to his home wherein he might find food andcomfort to wash away his weariness? Is there no time for ahusband and wife to share some time alone after long yearsapart?'
    (Morissa questions a messenger that requires her to seek her husband elsewhere. She is annoyed but her irritation isn't so great as to be fully noticeable in her dialogue]

Voice Actor
Voice Actor
Avarius
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to: LAWebley

The character of Avarius: Warrior General of Altheon. Middle-aged Man. Hard voice. Commanding. Accent neutral (No specific accent) or a subtle English.

  • [Direction in brackets]
     'Son of Daedren, You grace these old halls with your presence. It has been long awaited. That I may train the next Exalted is an honour to which I cannot speak words enough. '
    [Avarius speaks to a high ranking individual that is younger than him. He pays due respect but his voice is ever deep and commanding. He never grovels or sounds like he is not in command]

  •  'We are not as the heathen dogs,  We are greater. The mind must first be cultivated, so take thought for the gods. '
    [Avarius begins a test among group of trainees telling them they will not fight, rather they must engage in a test of spirit. His voice is loud and commanding]

  • 'Your foe is fit only for death, Any man who shuns the gods shuns life itself.'
    [Avarius commands Yaran to slay his enemy. He speaks as if proclaiming a universal truth]

Voice Actor
Voice Actor
Messenger to Morissa
closed
Unpaid
cast offsite

Messenger to Morissa. Proper, serious and commanding voice. 

  • 'Priestess Sarthorus,' said one. 'You are to be escorted at once to the Anaxuhl.'[Pronunciation: Sarth-or-us. An-ax-ool]

  • 'I cannot say, Priestess. I was bidden to send this message by Daedren himself and this only do I know: many perils has your husband come through and much is changed.'

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