A Brief Introduction...
Hello, I'm KPyall, and this is the casting call for XSona. It's based on the fictional video game series of the same name I created for the Indremaverse and Extremaverse, created by me along with some online friends, collectively known as The Plaintown Kids.
What is XSona?XSona (ex-SO-nuh) is a 2D indie animated sci-fi/action/comedy series that's got an early 2000s aesthetic (think of the 1998 Powerpuff Girls series). The show is about four ordinary teenagers (also collectively known as The Plaintown Kids, these characters are the source of our namesake) who find themselves in a sci-fi world under attack by the evil Lord Alesismov. You can learn more about here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W6i767AMtGrHOQpdRzcyMGhWWUbdD9ajY4F31D086zg/edit?usp=sharing
XSona is intended to be general audience program - it doesn't just target kids, but it's still more-or-less family-friendly, and intends to also appeal to nostalgic teens and adults who grew up with shows like the aforementioned Powerpuff Girls, Kim Possible, and Danny Phantom - our goal is to make an animatic, which is a roughly animated storyboard. If enough people are interested, it will become its own series.
I've always wanted to make something with the characters we've created, and this is our chance.
RundownYou must be 15 years or older to audition, and you also need a Discord account since production is mainly done on our server.
For animation, you'll need a PC/Mac with Blender. (we currently recommend 4.5 LTS: https://www.blender.org/download/lts/)
If you're voice acting, you need a decent microphone and we recommend no background noise. (like fans, air, etc.) These voice lines might not be in the final product, and are here to give you a feel of how the character will behave.
For storyboarding, you can use any drawing software that allows you to animate in 2D (e.g. Krita [free], or Adobe Photoshop [subscription]) and a decent device (we recommend a decent PC or Mac or an iPad)
For artists in general, any drawing software, like the aforementioned, will do.
If your role gets accepted, then you can join the Discord.
XSona's deadline will be extended (again) to October 1st, 2025, 12:00 AM central US time, since production's taking long. (you can't rush good art!) That also gives more time to hire people. Currently, there's a new artist role - you can be a character designer, a prop designer, a background designer, a model sheet creator, whatever!
XSona might be crowdfunded, too.
It's been a while since the last post, and I'm sorry y'all haven't been updated yet. So, what's up with XSona?
Finished the script for Part 1 of the pilot, we're currently working on Part 2 - voice acting and storyboarding might start soon
The cartoon will release as an animatic first, approximately releasing Holiday 2025, then hopefully a fully animated version of the pilot
We've hired Dave McMolhan, The Theme Park Nerdo, who's been helping me out with the show, including script, voice acting, and character design!
The deadline has been extended to May 30th, but I could extend it further...
Yep, we're still rollin' - there's been a lot happening behind the scenes!
Thanks,
Korleon P.
Since Neo isn't looking for unpaid works, we have new storyboard artists!
jester (cxhfyii) - will also serve as a writer and maybe other work (like character design)
THE KINGFISH
Since we're switching to mostly Adobe Animate/Flash, the roles have reopened, and the roles have been edited to reflect that.
We're switching from Blender to Adobe Animate/Flash. I think the switch will make animating on it a bit easier.
We could also outsource the animation to another studio though...
We're looking for both 2D and 3D animators for XSona! The project will be mainly 2D animated with some CGI elements. You'll be in charge of bringing XSona to life, like animating characters.
RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
*Say something you think would fit*
We're looking for both 2D and 3D animators for XSona! The project will be mainly 2D animated with some CGI elements. You'll be in charge of bringing XSona to life, like animating characters.
RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
*Say something you think would fit*
We're looking for both 2D and 3D animators for XSona! The project will be mainly 2D animated with some CGI elements. You'll be in charge of bringing XSona to life, like animating characters.
RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
*Say something you think would fit*
We need artists! Character designers, background designers, prop designers, storyboard artists, model sheet creators, whatever! If your work fits XSona, you (and maybe the other people who audition) may be chosen! Multiple people will be chosen for the role.
Requirements:
*Say something you think would fit*
We need artists! Character designers, background designers, prop designers, storyboard artists, model sheet creators, whatever! If your work fits XSona, you (and maybe the other people who audition) may be chosen! Multiple people will be chosen for the role.
Requirements:
*Say something you think would fit*
Age: 15
Vocal Reference: James Arnold Taylor (like Spider-Man from Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, https://youtu.be/977yXLGRVlc?t=424)
Joe is our main hero. He’s basically just the everyman of the show. When we get introduced to him, he’s just a typical teenage boy, witty and laid-back, but also has to face ordinary teenage problems.
He’s also kinda geeky. He loves science fiction and comedy films (his favorite films are Star Wars and Spaceballs), collects memorabilia from movies and TV shows with his equally-geeky workaholic dad, Aaron, and also reads comic books and plays video games. He also has a little brother, Anthony, who thinks he’s cool.
(confused, as the Plaintown Kids first find themselves in XSona) Huh? Mel, where are we?
(serious, before confronting Alesismov for one final battle) Game over, Al.
(after defeating Alesismov, excited) Well, I guess our job is done. We're the Plaintown Kids; next time you want us to save your galaxy, just give us a call!
Age: 14
Vocal reference: https://youtu.be/yk-wl_TnfDQ Grey DeLisle (like Frida from El Tigre, Yumi from HiHi Puffy AmiYumi, or Lor from The Weekenders), or Princess Daisy from the Mario franchise
Mel Hernandez-Smith is Joe’s girlfriend. She’s a tomboy who is the only child of Albert, a dim Irish-American father and Miriam, a snarky short-tempered Latino mother. She knows self-defense, karate, plays soccer, and likes watching movies with her boyfriend. She’s loud, hyperactive, and has a hot temper and wit (coming from her mom) (think of her like Princess Daisy from the Mario series)
She loves Joe, and calls him “Joey”, much to his chagrin, although she prefers to be called “Mel” because she considers her full name, “Melinda”, to be too girly. She’s like a shield for Joe, protecting him from any danger he might face. Sure, they might bicker, but at the end of the day, Joe and Mel are a legitimately happy couple. She’s one of the only girls that doesn’t make Joe feel awkward.
(surprised) Whoa, is that a portal?
Nonsense, Johnson. (hyped up) Some times you gotta live life on the EDGE!
(affectionate) Joey, you're okay!
Age: 15
Voice Reference: Phil LaMarr (like Virgil from Static Shock: https://youtu.be/p7pGdlxbooU?t=398)
Johnson Robinson is the smart guy of the group. He’s a nerdy guy. He’s somewhat of a scaredy cat, but he’s still Joe’s right hand man and one of the nicer and optimistic members of the gang. He loves pop-culture stuff just as much as Joe, technology, like his laptop, a PeachBook, algebra, and science. He attends a gifted and talented class at Gildred High School, and wants to attend Torvalds University after high school.
He also loves finding crafty solutions to problems, being a ladies’ man, and a good cook.
He lives with his parents in a family not as dysfunctional as Joe or Mel’s, with his mom and dad being very smart and geeky like him. (his dad’s an algebra teacher at Gildred!) He has an older brother, Marcus, who is a high school junior who plays football for the Gildred Penguins, and one of Joe’s guardian angels who protects him.
Are you sure jumping to this portal is safe? Don't know what's gonna happen.
(his PeachBook gets stolen) Hey! My PeachBook!
(confident) Don't worry, Joe, I got this.
Age: 15
Brooke Jones is the popular mean girl of Gildred High. She has a cheerful facade during her public appearances as a cheerleader, but otherwise, she usually looks down on people who aren’t popular as her. As we get into the story more, Brooke learns to be get genuinely nicer, turning her from the mean girl to a Jerk with a Heart of Gold.
She has the voice of a ste
Alright, losers. Like, you'll never be as popular as me.
(looks at a portal on the ground) Ew, what the heck is that thing doing here?
(in her "happy" mode) Thank you, everyone! I'm so (exaggerate on the "so") happy to be here!
Aria Arana is the princess and ruler of planet Nomia and the galaxy of XSona. She became the ruler after her parents mysteriously disappeared due to Alesismov.
She proudly holds her scepter and wears her necklace, making her the most powerful Nomian in the galaxy. She’s a intelligent, kind, strong, and beautiful princess, but she’s also capable of kicking some serious butt.
She is a mentor to the Plaintown Kids, wanting to turn them into kids who can give Alesismov his just deserts.
(calm) My name is Aria, and this is my planet, Nomia. (pronounced NO-me-uh)
(angry) You monster! I'm not giving you the power of XSona. You're just gonna use it to fuel your evil plans.
(proud) I'd like to thank you all for saving our galaxy. If Alesismov returns, we'll trust you to defeat him again.
Ratz is a chameleon-like alien who is one of Alesismov's henchmen. He, along with Nutz, his robot companion (and one of Boltz' relatives) tries (and fails) to impress his boss with his plans. He think he's smart, but in reality, he's dim-witted. He comes from a mafia family.
(to Nutz) No, you dumb-bot!
(to Alesismov) Boss, we're gonna kick some dumb teen butt today!
(after being defeated) Curse you, Joe! I'll get you next time...
Vocal reference: think of Bender from Futurama or Master Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force - something a nasally baritone New Yorker?
Boltz is a robotic bartender who owns Boltz’ Tavern, serving oil that robots drink. He’s a grumpy ol’ rustbucket with a hidden heart of gold. Tagging along Boltz is another bot named Reebo, who considers Boltz to be his best friend, much to his chagrin.
What are ya kids doin' here!?
Alesismov's gonna get what he deserves...
Can't believe that I'm saying this, but... (tearing up with joy) you're actually a best friend to me!
Vocal reference: Kevin Michael Richardson (kinda like this: https://youtu.be/yDj1wdK24Ak?t=133)
The main villain. Lord Alesismov (A-leh-sis-mauve) has one goal in mind: claim the power of XSona his. Alesismov acts like your typical hammy goofball on the surface, but he is also a cunning and seriously threatening villain.
Aria does not want Alesismov to steal her MacGuffin, an orb called the Power of XSona, and she has guards who protect it. He might look humanoid, but underneath his suit, he is a shapeshifting creature, which is his true form.
Think of him as Darth Vader meets Cartman meets Lord Hater from Wander over Yonder, with a hint of Bowser.
Okay, here's the plan: I'm gonna get that orb so I can become THE MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD OF XSONA!
I don't care, because that stupid ruler of Nomia will regret it once I rule XSona! When I get that orb, nothing can stop me!
Nonsense, I'm pretty sure nobody can stop me. Besides, it's schadenfreude, my son. The pleasure I get from making everyone's day even MORE miserable!
The ten-year-old son that Alesismov has to deal with. Much to the chagrin of his father, he doubts his plans and would rather not follow his son's footsteps.
Gee, whatever, Alesismov.
When you say "No one's gonna stop me!", somebody's gonna stop you, right?
Dad, can we go to Nomia?
*Say something you think would fit*
Aaron is Joe's geeky workaholic dad. He'll just have a few lines in this animatic.
(in a hurry) Oh, crap! I gotta take Anthony to kindergarten and so I can take ME to work! Come on, Ant!
Joe's stay at home mom. Also a bit of a minor character.
Alright, Joe. Buh-bye.
I packed lunches for you boys. Have a great day!
Joe's hyperactive 6-year-old brother. Another minor role.
(excited for kindergarten, sing-song) Can’t wait! Can’t wait! Can’t wait for my first day of school!
(Joe is getting out the door for school, cheerfully) See ya later, Joe!
