OVERVIEW
The Changers: Xonerate Defense, or just Changers if you value brevity, is a webcomic about a team of four teenagers acting as vigilantes for the treacherous city of Kroy, fighting off new and familiar foes. Upon discovering a mystical energy called Xonerate, they’re forced to don its powers and prove their worth not only to the world, but themselves.
The point of this Casting Call is to gather talent that will be willing to participate in short animated videos; either adaptations of the comic or completely new, canon sketches. It is highly recommended that you read the first few chapters of the webcomic first before auditioning so that you have a better idea of the characters and world.
September 17th, 2010 was the day the idea for The Changers became a blip in my mind...but like with most stories, they never come to pass in the same way they were conceived. In fact, The Changers has gone through a total of 3 incarnations. The comic takes many of its narrative and visual inspiration from action cartoons and comics, whether it be American or otherwise. It took many years for me to find a style that rides between graphic and expressive. My whole aim for the thing was to make it seem like you were watching a show that would air on Cartoon Network. In fact, Xonerate Defense was planned to be a fully animated series in early pre-production. Now, I’m just settling on motion comics for respect of my time and sanity.
Despite all I do to try and reach a visual sweetspot, the thing I think the most about when it comes to The Changers is its writing. Not to get too into detail about it, but Changers will end up being a series that questions your views on life and society’s many facets. As a young man who’s been disparaged because of his blackness and his queerness, I definitely have a lot to say, and in the current age we live in, now’s a riper time than ever. A lot of the series’ characters are based on people important to my life, of course, including myself. And although I’m not exactly the main character (egalitarian leadership), Every character in the series, in one way or another, is a reflection of something I can’t go left unsaid. So, expect storylines and plot points in The Changers to be what many might consider “political”. If you’re a comic book fan and that turns you off, I don’t really know what to say. Comic books have always been a land mine of political commentary.
Like I briefly mentioned before, I’m in the process of creating a motion comic, which I’ve already cast the first wave of voice actors for. I’m also composing the original soundtrack for said motion comic, adding to the style guide, updating my website, and constantly fighting the urge to play Tekken. A lot of great things are about to happen that you might not want to miss, but I’d rather let the pages do the talking.
SECOND WAVE
In February of 2021, I posted a casting call for the first wave of characters to have their voices casted. In October of that year, I had finally been able to announce the actors that had been chosen. You can see who was casted for the roles with the YouTube link above. However, many important characters still don't have a voice attached to their name, thus inciting the need for additional waves of casting calls.
EXPECTATIONS
This is a completely VOLUNTARY, UNPAID project. However, if you wish to apply, you must have some sort of commitment to it. It's more of an on-and off job. Depending on how things go, paid roles will open, but it's not a possibility at this moment. As usual, a clear, well-equalized mic is required.
THE CREATOR
NoxiMation: I'm an 18 year old self-taught artist, animator, music composer and content creator currently attending Rhode Island School of Design and putting my effort into my craft whole-heartedly.
Rachel Guanlao, usually referred to as R.P.G., is a childhood friend of Cheyne and Jay's. She acts as a fifth member of The Changers, coordinating missions behind the sidelines as a "guy in the chair" type character. Her personality is of a curious nature, and she can get distracted easily.
Knew we'd meet sooner or later... figured Jay'd let you know all about me.
"Changers" has a nice little ring to it. It's settled then--iconic and rolls off the tongue!
(typing) Even as the ground beneath their feet is at stake...
Hm.
I could really go for a strawberry shake.
Tanya, Zaire's current girlfriend, is infatuated with the world of superpowers. Although she has none of her own, she occasionally tags along with the gang. Tanya's snarky and competitive personality serves as a compliment to Zaire's nonchalance.
Anyone else would've used your powers to start an underground drug market. But, I guess it's a good thing you're you.
Sorry, that might've been a little tacky. I guess we're both pretty bad at this.
No,no, the name's cool.
...Okay, not to make it a point, but I think we should put an asterisks on "defense".
The owner of Pop's Corner, a store that the Changers frequently cross paths with, for better or for worse. He helps the team by keeping important secrets and opening his store up as a place for them to recuperate.
Note: Pop has a thick New York accent.
I couldn't help but express my gratitood for ya trashing up my spot!
As a matta a fact, you do get nothing. Now get da hell outta here!
Ya want intel? Take it over my carcass!
Salina is an employee at Sunny Sally's, an independent local fast food spot that The Changers frequently hang out at. She has a more subdued personality but is still lively and has a dark sense of humor.
Note: Salina has a bit of a lisp.
Welcome to Sally's. We call it a 'junket junction', because no good story starts with "that one time I ate salad".
Might want to keep watcha that friend of yours, yeah guys? She's pretty 'unique'.
If I can't cause just a little bit of chaos each day, I think I'll shut down.
Eva Sumina's younger sister. She doubles as a high school student and an amateur engineer. Nala has a bright outlook on life (at least compared to the other members of the Metal Faces gang), but she can be overly hard on herself.
Wow, this thing just almost barely kinda maybe doesn't actually work!
Our fingers have fingertips, but toes don't have toetips... yet we still tiptoe but can't tipfinger?
(to Haru and Kuraw) I can't help but think you two are largely unqualified to be watching me.
An Xlandrian superhero working under the law. They were in the heat of a budding relationship with Ivy before the two split apart. Silvershade attempts to carry themselves with an air of confidence, and largely succeeds. However, there's always just a tinge of self-doubt that seeps out of the cracks of their speech.
Note: Silvershade is non-binary, but ideale, they would have more of a traditionally feminine voice.
Hey, remember to keep those fingers locked onto your nodes. Your Xonerate’s strength is off the charts, but that blade won’t come out unless you can contr-
...You get it.
I was trapped within myself, walls closing in, but she pulled me out.
(chuckles) She told me I was beautiful…
...but it was more than that.
Hope you didn’t cry too much with me gone. I know it only seemed like forever.
One of the supreme judges of the Planet X's courts. She has amassed the power to make federal decisions on her own, which has raised quite a few eyebrows. She carries a permanent scowl and a cold attitude.
For conspiring to groom the young and uninclined into compassing your will... the verdict has arrived. You are guilty as charged.
Your mother would've been so very proud of you.
The coronation begins promptly after your eulogy.
We’re overtime.
An Xlandrian elected in the place of Ivy after her departure. They grew up together, with Tala being Ivy's "older sister" figure. She has a rather deadpan and focused personality, and is largely calm even when her face says otherwise.
I don't blame you for finding your place, Ivitani. I only blame myself for not helping you realize it sooner.
You’ll have a hard time believing this... well, because it never happens, but I made a mistake.
The Elder's got some problems of her own... I'm not exactly sure who's right it is to give her a wakeup call, but she of all people knows that there's no such thing as a clean trial.
An Xlandrian warrior who took the place of X.King after he was exiled. He is often in conflict with himself, and thus is very introverted and distant.
I... have not earned the right to show my face here.
General Tavollus taught me the proclivities of a warrior.
To lose is to affront Xa.
*All five Kounts are intended to be portrayed by the same actor under different voices in their range. It is highly recommended that you audition for all five roles.*
The Kounts are a team of cybernetic, vampiric super-criminals. Over the course of time, their A.I. have hyper-evolved and allowed them to express individual personalities.
The leader, Penta, represents the number V. He's calm, cunning, and doesn't mind having a bit of fun.
Don't make this hard, fossil. My hand might slip any second now.
I'll be the first to admit you as an unlikely suspect, but I've gotten my ass handed to me by the C.X.D. so many times, I can practically smell Xonerate.
I'll tear the neural code straight from your gray matter. My accomplices make quite the audience, agreed?
*All five Kounts are intended to be portrayed by the same actor under different voices in their range. It is highly recommended that you audition for all five roles.*
The Kounts are a team of cybernetic, vampiric super-criminals. Over the course of time, their A.I. have hyper-evolved and allowed them to express individual personalities.
Tritur represents III. He's the wild card of the group, specializing in an uncoordinated attack pattern. As for his personality, he's basically the younger, dumber member of the group.
Yayoo! Let's waste 'em!
Look, Tesser! Matching bracelets!
(We're being arrested, Tritur.)
But I don't need any sleep...
My knife, your life, so rough and dull! New coat of paint on a date with your skull!
*All five Kounts are intended to be portrayed by the same actor under different voices in their range. It is highly recommended that you audition for all five roles.*
The Kounts are a team of cybernetic, vampiric super-criminals. Over the course of time, their A.I. have hyper-evolved and allowed them to express individual personalities.
Tesser represents IV. He has such a fondness for life and a super peachy outlook! I mean, just look at his audition lines.
Ugh, this is gratuitious.
Do me a solid and blow out my motherboard servos. We'll both benefit.
My processing speed halves with every word that retreats your sorry airbox.
*All five Kounts are intended to be portrayed by the same actor under different voices in their range. It is highly recommended that you audition for all five roles.*
The Kounts are a team of cybernetic, vampiric super-criminals. Over the course of time, their A.I. have hyper-evolved and allowed them to express individual personalities.
Ichi and Dos represent I and II. They're essentially twins and form a yin-yang relationship. Of all the Kounts, these two are the most robotic and subservient. Ichi and Dos speak the most identically to each other out of all the Kounts, and often talk simultaneously. In this case, it's the subtle difference in delivery between the two that counts.
(This is gratuitous.)
Ichi and Dos simultaneously: Don't ruin it, Tesser!
Ichi: We've got energy to grab...
Dos: ...and nothing to lose!
Ichi and Dos simultaneously: Oh, our circuitry re-invigorated by his benevolent nature... we show our utmost gratitude to the great and powerful Penta!
(No need for the pleasantries, boys.)
Ichi: Apologies, Penta...
Dos: ...Our inferiority precedes us.
The leader of an underground crime syndicate named ONI. Not much can be revealed about him, besides his involvement in immoral business practices. As for now, I'll call him Big O.
Because of the mystery surrounding him, his audition lines are quotes extracted from various superhero media.
The truth is, for all my struggles to make my mark in life, for all I've accomplished, in just a few short generations my name will be forgotten. Even the greatest of us can't compete with time... and death.
Vengeance is a sucker's game, son. And yours can only be achieved at the cost of your own life.
I'm taking over because humanity is prideful and belligerent; they once again need my guiding hand. But before that time comes to pass, I intend to soften them up. Those who survive will happily follow a leader who offers food, comfort and order.
Monarch is an assassin, infatuated with the criminal underworld since he was a boy. He gets his jobs done as quickly as he can, and has fun doing it.
Who's got time to feel when you've got shit to be?
Dirty money for a dirty man.
You just won an all-expenses paid vacation to the abyss.
