Episode 1 is out!
Thanks everyone! Just FYI, I've released the first episode on podbean!
https://shadowocean.podbean.com/e/episode-1-the-threshold/
Shadow Ocean Audiobook
Project Overview
🔊 Project Title: Shadow Ocean
🎙 Project Type: Full-Cast Audio Drama (Novella Adaptation)
🎭 Genre: Sci-Fi | Cosmic Horror | Space Fantasy
Shadow Ocean is a cinematic, immersive audio drama set in the deep, unknowable expanse of the Canvas Universe—a realm where the sky and sea are one, where Journer pilots sail through the Umbra, an ocean of shifting void. This is a world of zeal-powered ships, ancient mysteries, and forbidden knowledge—a place where whispers from the Below can either guide you… or consume you.
This production adapts the novella-length story into a high-quality audio drama, complete with full voice acting, rich sound design, and an atmospheric original soundtrack. We are looking for passionate voice actors who can bring depth, nuance, and emotional weight to this haunting, character-driven narrative.
🌌 Story Overview🚀 Captain Ra’ala Duskbane leads a crew of hardened Journeyers aboard the Wayfarer, a ship struggling to stay afloat—literally. Their Zealian engine is dying, their resources are running out, and their latest job has landed them in dangerous waters. But when an illicit deal offers them a second chance, it also entangles them in a mystery far greater than they bargained for.
Meanwhile, The Keeper, Kaena Datha, an exiled lighthouse guardian, hears the whispers of the Umbra itself. As they unravel the truth behind their past, they come face-to-face with the thing they fear most—the knowledge they were never meant to have.
With secrets unraveling, old debts calling, and the Below whispering in ways it never has before, one thing is certain:
⚠ There is no turning back.
🎙 What We’re Looking ForTalented voice actors who can bring emotion and depth to complex characters.
Clear, high-quality audio (professional/home studio preferred, but we will work with improving setups).
Reliable actors who can meet deadlines and collaborate within a team-driven production.
🛑 This project contains themes of existential horror, survival, and mystery, but avoids excessive gore or explicit content.
💾 Project Details🎧 Format: Episodic Audio Drama (Full Cast)
📜 Script Length: ~13k words (Growing)
💰 Compensation: Unpaid (Passion Project)
📍 Recording Style: Remote (Self-Recorded)
If you love The Expanse, Dune, Homeworld, Event Horizon, or The Magnus Archives—this might be your next favorite project. 🚀🎙
💡 How to Audition1️⃣ Submit a clear, high-quality audition for your desired character(s).
2️⃣ Feel free to submit multiple takes if you want to showcase range.
3️⃣ Introduce yourself briefly—tell us what draws you to the project!
4️⃣ Ask questions! We love collaborating with passionate voice actors.
💙 We can’t wait to hear your voice in the void. 💙
And remember…
“Go deeper.” 🎙🌊🚀
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Latest Updates
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Update #4
Hey everyone! After a brief pause, I’m excited to share that all remaining roles for Episode 1 have now been cast! 🌊✨ It took me a little longer than expected—about five days—because I needed to step back and take a breather before making the final decisions. I wanted to come back to the project with a clear head and fresh energy, and I’m really happy with how things have turned out!
🚀 Episode 1 is officially complete and will be launching next week on YouTube and podcasting platforms! I'll share the release date soon, so stay tuned.
For those who auditioned but weren’t cast this time—I’d love to stay in touch! I’m inviting anyone who’s still interested to join the Shadow Ocean Development Discord, where you can hang out, stay updated, and get first consideration for future roles before another casting call goes live.
Thank you all for your patience, enthusiasm, and incredible talent.
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Update #3
🌊✨Hey everyone! First, huge thanks to all 92 of you who submitted auditions—I appreciate every single one of you taking the time to be part of this project. 💙🔥
So, real talk—I flew a little too close to the sun and experienced some burnout while juggling sound design, mixing, and organizing all these incredible voices. 😅 But I’m feeling recovered and ready to dive back in (hopefully with fewer Icarus moments this time).
Here’s where we’re at:
I’ll be listening to auditions today & tomorrow and making final choices for the last few remaining roles. If you haven’t heard back yet, sit tight!
There will be more roles in the future, but it’ll be a little while before we get to them. Those will be covered in a separate casting call, so stay tuned.
Congrats to those already cast! You’re all doing an amazing job, and I’m beyond excited to bring this world to life with you.
Progress update: We’re almost done with the first 8 “chapters” of the audiobook (serialized podcast format first, then a full audiobook later).
It’s nearly an hour long already! Expect immersive sound design, narration from yours truly, and even cool ambient music to pull you straight into the world of the Umbra.
Shadow Ocean itself has officially passed 22,000 words! This story keeps growing, and it’s becoming something huge. 🚀
Links to the finished material will be posted when it’s ready!
Thanks for your patience while I took a second to recharge. This project is shaping up to be something truly special, and I can’t wait to share it with you all. 🔥🌊
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Update #2
First off—WOW. We’ve received over 60 auditions so far, and I am absolutely floored by the talent and passion you all have brought to this project. Thank you to everyone who has auditioned, followed, or expressed interest. Your energy is making this world come alive. 💙🔥
🎭 Next Steps & New Roles! 🎭I will begin selecting actors for existing roles soon! If you’re chosen, expect a message from me in the coming days.
New Roles Are Being Added! I’ve decided to expand the cast with additional characters, which means even more opportunities to be part of Shadow Ocean.
To accommodate the new roles, the deadline will be extended by a few more days.
I will be inviting everyone who auditioned (whether cast or not) to the Shadow Ocean Development Discord! 🎙✨
For those cast: You’ll gain access to your role, the script, and the line submission channels.
For those not cast (yet!): If audio quality was a concern, I’ll work with you on improving your setup for future projects. This is a learning experience as much as it is a performance opportunity!
I want this project to be a collaborative, welcoming space where we can grow, create, and make something truly special. If you’re passionate about voice acting, sci-fi storytelling, and epic journeys into the unknown—you’re part of this adventure, no matter what. 💙🔥
📅 Stay Tuned!Expect updates soon with role announcements, new character listings, and the official Discord invite link! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
🚀 Thank you all again for your incredible auditions—this is going to be something special. 🚀
Oh yeah, and here's the discord link:
https://discord.gg/SqGSC9rPK4 -
Update #1
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of you who have auditioned so far! I never expected to get 20 amazing submissions in just two days, and I’m absolutely blown away by the talent, passion, and love for Shadow Ocean that’s already coming through in these performances.
This project means the world to me—it’s a story full of mystery, depth, and the ever-present pull of the unknown. Seeing so many of you connect with the setting and characters is beyond exciting, and I can already tell that casting is going to be tough (in the best way possible).
What’s Next?I’ll be reviewing auditions throughout the week and making notes on each performance.
If you haven’t submitted yet, there’s still time! (And if you know someone who’d be perfect for a role, send them the link!)
I’ll be making casting decisions soon—but I want to take my time and give everyone a fair listen.
If any roles need extra attention, I’ll post an update!
if I add more roles, I may extend the deadline a wee bit
Also, if you haven’t already, check out the official audio teaser now embedded on the Casting Call page—it’s a taste of what the final audiobook will sound like! 🎧
Again, thank you all for being a part of this journey. Whether you’re cast or not, please know that I deeply appreciate your time, your effort, and your belief in this project.
More updates soon—stay tuned! 🚀
Voice Actor
Captain Ra'ala Duskbane
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
Hinox Wesley
Age: Mid-30s
Role: Captain of the Wayfarer, a seasoned Journer who has spent more time in the Below than above.
Personality: Stern but not cold, deeply protective of her crew, pragmatic but haunted by something unseen.
Defining Traits:
Never hesitates—until the Umbra whispers.
Balances logic with gut instinct, but the balance is slipping.
Carries herself with calm authority, but inside, she's fraying at the edges
Voice description:
- female adult
“We have traveled the tides of the Canvas and returned to stand beneath the light once more. The Sphere welcomes those who have crossed the threshold. May we drink, may we rest, may we set foot on solid ground and know that we have lived.
Ra’ala exhaled. “I don’t like walking into something blind.”
(Manic) "You ever flown out past the Caelux Rings? Real nasty currents there—makes you appreciate a good dock, y’know?
Voice Actor
The Keeper (Kaena Datha)
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
Yummydelicious0
Age: Late 20s-early 30s (but feels ancient)
Role: The exiled lighthouse Keeper, cursed (or gifted) with hearing the Umbra.
Personality:
Half-lost, half-awakened—they understand too much, yet not enough.
Watches the world like an outsider—even when speaking to someone directly.
Intelligent but unraveling—they are beginning to question who they were before exile.
They fear the Umbra, yet they long for it.
Voice description:
- androgynous
[[The Keeper shifted their stance, glancing past Tessa to the flickering lanterns of the village.]] “It asked why I listen. It asked what I want from myself.”
[[“And your condition?” Jarerth prompted. Kaena inhaled sharply.]] “Umbra Sickness.” The words tasted bitter. “Visions. Voices. Hallucinations. Sometimes I don’t remember things.”
[[Their fingers hesitated over another note, written in careful but unsteady script:]] "Donde Beklo once told me the light is not just for those who seek it, but for those who are lost and do not yet know they need it. I did not understand him then. I think I do now."
Voice Actor
Elara Voss (Quartermaster)
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
bloodyhorrorbri
Age: Early 30s
Role: Quartermaster of the Wayfarer, Ra’ala’s closest confidante, and the ship’s fixer.
Personality:
Charismatic, but not to be underestimated.
Unapologetically reckless, lives for the thrill of the gamble.
Loyal to a fault, but won’t admit it.
The only one who can match Ra’ala’s stubbornness without breaking under it.
A professional smuggler, but also everyone’s emotional support disaster.
Voice description:
- female adult
"Captain, we need to go over the shipment. This Sphere is a Garden Sphere, which means regulations are tight. Our permits are good, but they’ll be double-checking every crate. If we’ve got contraband, we need to know before they do." [[Ra’ala’s gaze flicked toward her. Elara tapped the side of the datapad.]] "And considering our engine problem, we might need to make some creative negotiations."
[[Elara hesitated, shifting her weight slightly.]] "I… I knew about it, Captain. But I didn’t think it was a big deal."
Elara scoffed, a smirk creeping onto her face. "Why are we talking about getting rid of it when we could just... enjoy it?" She glanced at Ra’ala. "We earned a little downtime, Captain. We’re at port. And last I checked, part of stopping at port is not being out there journeying." [[She gestured toward the loading doors, beyond which the Umbra loomed.]]
Voice Actor
Saren Holt (Engineer)
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
Amanda B.
Age: Mid-to-late 30s
Role:Engineer & second-in-command, the one who keeps the ship running.
Personality:
The calm anchor in a crew full of chaos.
Incredibly protective of the ship’s Zealian (Way).
Loyal to Ra’ala but not afraid to call her out.
"The Zeal Engine’s running thin." [[Her voice was blunt, no room for sugarcoating. ]] "That creature’s at its limit, and no amount of coaxing is gonna get us another full cycle out of it. We need a replacement. Now."
"Even if we secure a new Zeal Engine, we still need time to integrate it. This isn’t a simple swap, Captain. We’re talking about bonding a new Zealian to our ship— tuning its resonance, adjusting flow regulators, making sure it doesn’t reject the system. That’s days of work, minimum."
[[She pressed her palm firmly against the barrier, feeling the faint warmth that still radiated from within. ]]”Your strong, Way. Stronger than most. I remember when we first got you—how you flared up so bright we thought you were gonna burn the whole core out." [[She let out a small chuckle, the memory bittersweet. ]]” You were so full of life. Still are. You just need a little help, that's all."
Voice Actor
Veylan Asra (Alchemist)
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
MJMcG
Age: Late 30s
Role: Alchemist & merchant—deals in secrets, drugs, and knowledge.
Personality:
The ship’s diplomat—if there’s a deal to be made, he’ll make it.
Loyalty is flexible—but he does care (even if he won’t say it).
Sells poison, but drinks his own antidote.
Holds his own secrets.
Voice description:
- male adult
"The Gardeners won’t trade for raw coin. They deal in equivalence. If we want a Zeal Engine, we need something of equal alchemical value."
"Edeyan Control, this is Journer Vessel Wayfarer... we... read you—just finishing a cargo check, minor discrepancies in the... manifest. Might take a moment to reconcile."
[[Veylan caught sight of them and leaned back, spreading his arms wide as if to welcome them into some grand opportunity. ]]“Captain,” [[he said smoothly,]] “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.”
Voice Actor
Jarerth Kyn (Kaena’s Contact)
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
Shane
Keeps after the Keeper, minor role
Voice description:
- male adult
You look worse than usual.” Jarerth’s voice was gruff but familiar, laced with the dry humor of someone who had long since accepted the Keeper’s state as part of life.
Jarerth sighed, patient but firm. “Kaena Datha. That’s your name.” His tone softened. “You are the Keeper of Arasa’s Lighthouse. You were an alchemist once, before the Syndicate exiled you.”
Jarerth gave a small nod. “Good. You remember now.” He exhaled, shouldering his way inside. “I brought supplies. Food, maintenance gear, fresh water. And before you ask—yes, I brought more tea.”
Voice Actor
Donde Beklo
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
G Hahn
A dying old man, the reason for the Keeper's exile, minor character with big impact
Voice description:
- male senior
"Kaena... You came..."
"You want to know if I regret it..."
"It's the other way around, Kaena... I lied to save your life."
Voice Actor
Tessa Vaal
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
Fae
The Keeper's friend in Kara Null -- also has umbra sickness but not to the same degree as the Keeper.
Voice description:
- female adult
- smoker
She rolled the cigarette between her fingers, thinking. “Some folks would kill to hear the Umbra like you do. Alchemists, Seekers. But you? You treat it like a burden.”
Tessa shook her head. “You ever think that maybe they were wrong? The Syndicate, I mean. They call it sickness, but you and I both know sickness doesn’t make you understand things. You don’t get clarity from illness. Maybe you’re not sick. Maybe you’re just… in tune.”
Tessa scoffed. “Figures. He thought you were dangerous, so he made you a lighthouse keeper?”
Voice Actor
Beren Daagar (Deserter)
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
Branlos
A deserter of the Wayfarer, has had it with life in the Below.
Voice description:
- male adult
Beren hesitated before answering. "I just... I couldn’t do it anymore. The pressure, the losses, the feeling that every journey could be my last. I’ve lost too many people. The Below takes and takes, and it never gives anything back."
Beren’s jaw tensed. "They wouldn’t have let me go. Ra’ala... she doesn’t stop. She always needs to go deeper, to push past the horizon, no matter the cost. If I stayed, I’d just be another ghost in the dark, another name lost to the Below. I want out. I want the sky."
Voice Actor
Baas Nerith
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
G Hahn
A wise old man, who runs the Skylark House Inn atop the Seeker Village on Edeya. He is fond of mischief as well as teaching and mentoring those who come his way.
Voice description:
- male senior
*Say something you think would fit*
Voice Actor
Mercenary Captain
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
KyleG
a Mercenary Captain who has a deal for Ra'ala's crew that's too good to pass up
Voice description:
- male adult
One of the mercenaries chuckled. Their captain, by the look of them. Tall, lean, eyes dark as the Below, a scar carving its way down their jaw. “That depends on how you feel about making money,” they said
The captain leaned in slightly, their voice lowering. “We need a crew to handle a transport. A quiet one. No Syndicate attention.”
“More than fair. A fresh Zealian. A proper containment unit. Supplies to keep your current one alive long enough to reach a Zeal-rich Sphere.” The merc leaned back. “Plus, a decent chunk of credits. More than enough to keep your ship running for a long time.”
Voice Actor
Barek Beklo
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
Church
Donde Beklo's Son, who takes charge of the village of Kara Null and it's port after Donde's passing.
Has a chip on his shoulder, and big boots to fill.
Voice description:
- male adult
"Kaena... You were there when my father passed..." the anger in his words was subtle but biting.
"His legacy is now mine, I cannot allow you to shirk your duties. The Syndicate has left us here alone, but if you try to disrupt that balance? Know, I will make you regret it."
"You will never leave Kara Null, Kaena." he hissed.
Voice Actor
Extra (Feminine)
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
k-athleen
catch all for minor roles with a feminine voice, must be able to do multiple voices
Voice description:
- female adult
*Say something you think would fit*
Voice Actor
Extra (masculine)
closed
Unpaid
Role assigned to:
David Borella
catch all for minor roles with a masculine voice -- must be able to do multiple voices
*Say something you think would fit*
Comments
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