Where’s Willow? - A Firefly City Story is an original, story-focused animated series about the ghost of a missing hiker who roams the wilderness of a vast national park. When she crosses paths with an isolated park ranger who blames himself for her demise, the two embark on a journey of adventure, understanding, and mischief that will guide them both through some of life’s greatest challenges… and beyond.
You can find the show website at https://whereswillowseries.com/. There is info on behind-the-scenes, the story world, and more there if you're interested.
Quick background on the show:
- This show is intended for young adult audiences and older due to the fact that it covers topics likely to be more relatable to those with a little more life experience.
- Topics mentioned include mental health, loss/death, and wilderness survival. It can get emotional. College, career choices, and relationships are also relevant. The show may include flashing lights and loud noises.
- There is a small, infrequent amount of mild language in the show (e.g. "damn it," "what the hell" are about as far as it goes).
- Inspirations include games such as Night in the Woods, Spiritfarer, Firewatch, RiME, shows such as Gravity Falls and Missing 411, (no affiliation with any mentioned) as well as personal experiences.
- In the project thumbnail, Willow is the character on the left. She is a ghost, and thus she doesn't really talk.
- The character on the right is park ranger Ernest Green. I voice him myself, as well as a couple other miscellaneous characters. Here is an example of me voicing him. There are examples of my voice on my profile in my own reel as well.
- The main video on this page is the show's theme song/intro.
Technical details:
- This is a 10-episode (plus some shorts), story-focused, rig-animated series. Not comedy-focused.
- It is intended for YouTube (a new channel) and Newgrounds at minimum, with shorts going on other platforms as well.
- At the time of this casting call opening, all scripts are fully written, and the total line count for each character is definitively known. More details on total lines per character are in character descriptions.
- Most animation work that does not require external voice acting talent has been completed already, as I wanted to be sure this project would reach completion before opening up the casting call.
- Not all characters appear in every episode. Most of the characters being cast here don't start appearing sporadically until Episode 2.
- I do all writing, artwork, animation, music composition, and editing myself, and have been working towards this and related projects (Firefly City Stories) solo since 2020. At this point, it is nearing completion and is set to start releasing after a reasonable marketing run has completed.
- This project is entirely self-funded by me out of pocket. My budget is limited, but I've done my best to keep payment within what's recommended (see below).
Voice acting details:
Auditioning:
- Auditions are for those 18 and older. This is because there is a contract, and also because these characters are all above this age themselves (see character list).
- Feel free to audition for multiple characters if interested! Please keep each audition under each character's section though.
- Anything in brackets is of course just stage instruction to give you context. No need to read them aloud.
- Please use AABBCC format, no more than two takes, and do not slate. Voices should be more grounded and natural (not "cartoony" or "anime-like"), though there will be a few goofy moments particularly with Reggie.
- Please shoot for the best and cleanest audio quality (XLR preferred) that you can get.
- This audition will be open for two weeks. To ensure everyone that follows instructions gets a fair shot and doesn't feel rushed, I won't be going through auditions until the casting call closes. Just so you aren't wondering if you don't hear from me directly after auditioning!
- I will be checking back in frequently though to answer any questions!
Once cast:
- This work (for those cast) involves a contract to protect both you and I. It is built from the contract recommended by the Voice Acting Club in addition to the NAVA anti-AI rider (if you'd like a preview). It includes an agreement that I do NOT use "gen AI" in any part of production whatsoever, voice talent must NOT use "gen AI" to complete work for this project either, an NDA, and the payment agreement (see rates below).
- I would prefer to pay you via PayPal or Stripe, up front (after contract signing) and before the start of work.
- Payment was decided while referencing the VAC rates guide at $4/line, but everyone will be paid at least $50. This is an indie, self-funded project (that is technically mid-tier), but I went up a bit to be safe/fair. The prices you see on each character are the totals they'll be paid.
- After casting/contracting/payment, I will provide scripts for each character with key instructions. I will be available to provide more resources or clarification if you need.
- Turnaround on work for those cast would be within 30 days of when you receive a script, but sooner would be appreciated.
- Recording can be done on your own (non-directed), and we can communicate via CCC, email (preferred), or Discord DM's.
- Again, please shoot for the best and cleanest audio quality (XLR preferred) that you can get. Try to avoid background noise, loud plosives, and sibilance, as well as static pops, crackles, and similar technical glitches as these are nearly unfixable. I would prefer to handle post processing myself for consistency.
I hope to hear from you! 🎙
I've been making videos for a while, but I've never written a casting call before. I tried to be very thorough here and do my research, but if I missed something, feel free to comment questions or concerns!
Thanks for stopping by!
- Mitch R.
Some (very compressed to fit on CCC) gifs of the show:
Art and animation © Mitch Ran 2024 - All Rights Reserved.
