The Gray Area - Season 2 Background Roles (Paid)
Project Overview
The Gray Area, a Parsec Award-winning audio drama, is completing production on its second season and is looking for a few fun and talented people for background roles. The series is a connected anthology format open to all genres and features talking animals, mysteriously enthusiastic receptionists, deranged scientists, a genius writer, impostor gods, formidable business tycoons, alien invaders, a police force that cracks down on the chronically tardy, an interdimensional beast named Chester, and many demons. You can check out the first season at http://www.grayareapod.com.
We've recorded with dozens of distinguished actors over the last year and a half. Everyone has had a lot of fun on this project and it's a chill and easygoing environment committed to artistic freedom. We have quite a few "walk-on" roles, entailing a few pages here and there, that are currently open and can be recorded remotely. If cast, this shouldn't take you too long to record. (And we pay instantly through PayPal upon receipt of files.) However, we are looking to have all material recorded by the end of June, as we anticipate releasing the second season later this year. You must be equipped with a high quality mic and you must record in a clean environment at 24/192. We are especially fond of working with unusual voices, as the show has a quirky feel, strives to be inclusive, and is fueled by moral vision that involves extending empathy and compassion to neglected voices.
If you're an awesome and original voice, please know that I'm pretty decisive and move very quickly. Best of luck to everyone and thank you!
Please don't hesitate to message me if you have any questions!
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Latest Updates
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It was a difficult decision, but we have filled all of these background roles. Many thanks to all the good people here on Casting Call Club who sent in auditions! You're a phenomenal community and I was incredibly impressed with your collective talent. For those of you who are still interested in The Gray Area, please don't hesitate to stay in touch. When we get to Season 3 (late 2020 at the earliest), we will be significantly expanding the scope of this show and will have more roles. But in the meantime, I wanted to express my great gratitude to all of you who applied. Thank you again! Ed
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Three new roles!
Dear Casting Call Club Community! Thank you so much for your incredible talent and enthusiasm. I am deeply humbled, honored, and indebted to you for your wonderful contributions. This series is about persuasive worldbuilding down to the smallest level. And you've all helped tremendously to flesh out the epic scope of this project. This is going to be fantastic. It has truly been a privilege and a pleasure to listen to all of your takes on these roles. I've added three new background roles for this project. These are a little darker than the other roles, but I trust you good folks to roll with the storytelling here. (Believe me. It's all in the interest of dramatizing the human condition!) Thank you again!
In the 22nd century, three scientists are hard at work on an escape plan for a dying Earth. The scientists are forced into a kind of intellectual labor camp and discover a series of portals that open up into other dimensions. However, there's a Lovecraftian element to the portals -- in that dangerous creatures exist within the portals. They're also dealing with a fascist government that doesn't understand basic scientific principles.
Jones, there's no way we're going to beat the gravitational constant!
No! Don't go in there! Don't go in there!
Henry, is that you? Henry? Henry? (screams)
In the 22nd century, three scientists are hard at work on an escape plan for a dying Earth. The scientists are forced into a kind of intellectual labor camp and discover a series of portals that open up into other dimensions. However, there's a Lovecraftian element to the portals -- in that dangerous creatures exist within the portals. They're also dealing with a fascist government that doesn't understand basic scientific principles.
Scientist #2 is a little grumpier than the others. He longs for the time before in which scientists were respected. For Line #3, he's looking into the portal -- Raiders of the Lost Ark style -- enchanted by the blinding light.
You try telling these nimrods about escape velocity. I've told them sixteen times, but they insist on a very big ship.
Anything's better than this place.
It's beautiful!
In the 22nd century, three scientists are hard at work on an escape plan for a dying Earth. The scientists are forced into a kind of intellectual labor camp and discover a series of portals that open up into other dimensions. However, there's a Lovecraftian element to the portals -- in that dangerous creatures exist within the portals. They're also dealing with a fascist government that doesn't understand basic scientific principles.
Poor Scientist #3, who is the more sensible scientist of the three, gets ripped apart by a clawed beast.
Funny how they're against mass transit here on Earth, but when it comes to mass transportation to the stars, they're all for it, even when they keep their heads in the sand about mass.
You're getting the same readings that I am?
My eyes! My eyes!
In the 22nd century, a global fascist empire has desperately recruited the "outside the box" types to help save the planet. Classmate #3 is a knife enthusiast. Feel free to be bold and original. Imagine living a life in which you've been surviving on your wits for many years, eluding any number of autocratic forces who are trying to wrangle you into assigned labor. You're probably going to have a feral sense of survival.
I kept my knife clean. I always sharpened the blade. I can draw it in a pinch. Forward grip, reverse grip. You name it.
If I had my knife...
Five hours?
A peaceful afternoon at a Wyoming restaurant known as The Dancing Chicken Diner is interrupted by two eccentric gun-toting revolutionaries. The mother is one of the customers. She's there enjoying a meal with her daughter.
Not for you, sweetheart. But you can top it off.
Look, do you mind? You're disturbing my daughter.
Would you two put down your camera?
One of two police officers who investigate a shooting at a Wyoming chicken diner. We really need this guy to sound like a small-town cop who has been at this for a long time. It is also vital that this character NOT be stereotypical. The story is actually asomething of a critique of bicoastal snobbery. Bonus points if you can do a Wisconsin dialect!
This is the police! You are surrounded. Please drop your firearms and surrender.
Is that an animal?
Is everybody here alright?
One of two police officers who investigate a shooting at a Wyoming chicken diner. We really need this guy to sound like a small-town cop who has been at this for a long time. It is also vital that this character NOT be stereotypical. The story is actually asomething of a critique of bicoastal snobbery. Bonus points if you can do a Wisconsin dialect!
What is that?
Step away from the....
Well, I don't really know.
An alien traveler to an interdimensional waiting room. The trick here is to sound both weird AND real. He's just arrived through the portal and, like anybody settling down in a motel after a road trip, he could use a hot shower and a meal.
Excuse me...
Uh, where can I get some grub?
In this romantic story, our protagonist is haunted by the ghosts of girlfriends past. Think of someone you went on a bad date with who keeps on pestering you for another -- some man who is utterly preposterous and inept with his gestures -- and you should have an idea on how to play this. Looking for playful rather than malevolent. (To provide some context, we're intercutting Sujata with a number of other Tinder options.)
You think I care about your chocolate mousse?
I can find many others. I've got SO many options.
Now THERE'S a real man.
This is a montage of Tinder dates that we'll be mixing into the main dialogue. Have fun with this. Jacques is a man who women believe to be French, but isn't.
Hi, my name's Jacques. I'm 34. A pet shop owner. I like backgammon, long walks on the beach, and I'm just looking for someone to settle down with.
I'm not French. I get that a lot.
French. I don't speak it.
This is a montage of Tinder dates that we'll be mixing into the main dialogue. Have fun with this.
Do you just want to come back to my place, catch up on CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND and chill? No, I don't think you're crazy. Hell, you don't even have to be my girlfriend.
No, the TV show.
Hey, Sujata, let's cut to the chase.
A street vendor in New York serving up coffee who is wryly commenting upon our two leads getting to know each other.
Two lovers walking on a nice autumn day.
Riiiiight. What can I get you?
Coming right up!
We have a number of demons who are tormenting people in the interdimensional realm with various Freddy Kreuger-style wisecracks. So have fun with this! The more original you are with your demon, the better! There's about thirty quick quips here. So keep in mind that we're going to need a little variance for this!
Settle down, fuzzballs!
A dry sponge in a dirty sink!
It's not the looks that count, sweetheart!
We have a number of demons who are tormenting people in the interdimensional realm with various Freddy Kreuger-style wisecracks. So have fun with this! The more original you are with your demon, the better! There's about thirty quick quips here. So keep in mind that we're going to need a little variance for this!
You took our friend! We must travel too!
Two thousand thread count!
Sign on the dotted line!
We have a number of demons who are tormenting people in the interdimensional realm with various Freddy Kreuger-style wisecracks. So have fun with this! The more original you are with your demon, the better! Poor Demon #5 is a bit of an exercise nut, if you can believe it. But the Demon's commitment to fitness isn't not enough for the demon to get dragged through the portal.
We're cozier than a throw pillow in Hades!
Our lives are gone!
We do cardio every day.
Reporter at a press conference investigating a scandal with Mr. Markson.
Mr. Markson, will you be turning yourself into the police?
What of the heavy fines?
Reporter at a hectic press conference investigating a scandal with Mr. Markson.
Have you reached out to Miss Grazia?
The unauthorized barbeque?
Think Auntie Em calling to Dorothy when she's locked up by the Wicked Witch of the West.
Emily!
Emily, you haven't called me in six years.
I love you, Emily. Please.
A stern disciplinarian of a man. He can be played creepy or remorseful. Surprise me!
Come to daddy!
You've disrespected your mother!
Don't you know how hard she works?
This story is set in a parallel universe in the near future (2023!) where unemployment is at 30%, there are assigned labor camps, and the people have had enough. The Protesters appear in the background on television and the world has gone crazy! They inherently distrust the media and are wiling to do anything to get their rights back.
“Out of my way, propagandist!”
“Dude, that’s cold. You didn’t have to ice her.”
This story is set in a parallel universe in the near future (2023!) where unemployment is at 30%, there are assigned labor camps, and the people have had enough. The Protesters appear in the background on television and the world has gone crazy! They inherently distrust the media and are wiling to do anything to get their rights back. [NOTE: This role is intense and contains some profanity. But we’re doing this for the sake of art. We’re trying to accurately depict a desperate and violent uprising, using Robespierre and the French Revolution as a historical precedent.]
"You’re part of the problem!”
“And they didn’t have to spread lies while taking our jobs. Listen to me, Corporate America, you’ve pushed us too far! We won’t go to your labor camps! We won’t be your slaves anymore! And we will assassinate any greedy goon in a three-piece suit hording our last dimes. We will kill all the pigs who serve as your smiling henchman. Come at us! You won’t stop us. We will eliminate corporate greed and once and for all and make this a level playing field.”
This story is set in a parallel universe in the near future (2023!) where America has turned into a police state. The Crooked Cops are not very nice men who have let their newfound authority go to their head. We need these cops to be convincingly and realistically frightening. [NOTE: This role is intense. But we’re doing this for the sake of art. We’re trying to accurately depict the corruption of authoirty and have done significant historical research for this story.]
“Ooooh. You iced her good.”
“Tearing those kids away from their families.”
“You know it, baby. You should have seen them cry. Got to keep this republic pure.”
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