Beyond the Dark Production - ‘The Strata’ - Chapter 6 | Original audio drama
Project Overview
The Strata is a gritty sci-fi / horror series and requires serious, grounded performances.
Format: The podcast consists of a series of interwoven stories in a persistent universe and there is an opportunity for voice actors to take on recurring roles if interested. There are over 50 episodes currently planned, broken up into chapters of around 5 episodes each. Please take a listen to previous seasons of The Strata for an idea of the overall tone at http://thestratapodcast.com/
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***Payment Structure for Returning Characters - Per Chapter (4-6 Episodes) - in USD***
Narrator (over 5000 words) : $250
Major Character (over 1000 words) : $50
Minor Character (less than 1000 words) : $25
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Setting: In a sprawling future metropolis called The Strata, society has continued to segregate between the classes. The wealthy live in Highgate City, a place full of dazzling skyscrapers and creature comforts. Organic body augmentations that allow citizens to extend their life for hundreds of years have become commonplace. At the other end of the spectrum lies Dockerton, a slum area filled with crime, drugs and poverty. Disease is rampant and basic facilities are almost non-existent. There are many checkpoints maintained by police that help to keep the city segregated, and most citizens don’t bother straying from their own neighbourhood.
Disclaimer / Content Warning: This project contains mild profanity and some portrayals of violence (gunplay, drug use).
Rules for auditioning
1. A quality recording. I can't use poor audio no matter how great your performance might be.
2. Commitment to deadlines.
3. Willingness to take direction and provide pickups if necessary.
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**This is a supporting character role, but the payment has been doubled since it’s an especially large part.
Eileen is a detective in the Midtown Police Department, and has been the partner of the protagonist Cavanagh for the past 24 years. Although she is aged in her sixties, Eileen has recently undergone ‘Rejuvenation’ therapy and this has reversed the ageing process. She now looks and sounds like someone in her mid-twenties.
As part of Rejuvenation, Eileen also chose several ‘upgrade’ packages that have given her enhanced vision, hearing and athletic prowess. She also opted to make several changes to her face, smoothing out what she considered to be undesirable features.
Eileen has always been tough, dedicated and loyal. She cares about the citizens of The Strata and wants to protect them in any way she can. Whereas once she felt old and weary, she has now been given a new lease on life. After Rejuvenation, she has become more upbeat and energetic and radiates positive energy. She is optimistic about the future and excited to try new things again, both in her personal life and in her approach to carrying out her job.
Although most of these changes have been positive, Eileen is struggling with several aspects of her new self. Firstly, the procedures have resulted in some memory loss. While she remembers most of her past, there are certain events and people that she cannot recollect. She is also still coming to terms with what it means to be young again - experiencing romantic encounters with younger men and embracing a much greater social life. But most of all, the changes to her body have affected her relationship with her best friend and partner Cavanagh. Since the Rejuvenation was a spur of the moment decision, Cav was taken unawares and is having difficulty coming to grips with this ‘new Eileen’. He disapproves of the changes to her appearance and the fact that she ‘blew’ her retirement savings on the Rejuvenation.
Although she hasn’t admitted to the memory loss, Cav suspects there are problems since she won’t engage in banter about their old adventures together, a key aspect of their camaraderie. He also dislikes the more modern approaches she has taken to detective work. Overall, the relationship between the two friends has fractured and is falling apart at the most inopportune time - just as they are about to close in on the ganglord Skerridge, who has been their primary target for more than a decade.
(Defending her decision to make alterations to her appearance - trying to downplay it by using some self-deprecating humour) “Come on, Cav. There was plenty wrong with my old face. Not exactly an oil painting, right? So when time came for the procedure, I just threw in a few extras. I mean, why not?”
(Wistful and pensive as she recalls a fond memory of Cavanagh’s deceased daughter) “Annie. She drew me a birthday card once, when she was little. Had me on top of a tall building, like King Kong, because I told her I was going to retire in Highgate City one day. She was a hell of an artist, even at that age.”
(Outraged after Cavanagh suggests she sacrificed her most important qualities just to look young again) “Oh really? They offered me a pension when I made it to retirement age. A big one. I could be floating in a nice offworld habitat right now, far away from here, but I chose to come back. I chose to Rejuvenate so that I could keep chasing after guys like Skerridge. So don’t you dare lecture me about sacrifice.”
Skerridge is a cruel and manipulative ganglord who enjoys a position of immense power in The Strata. As the sole leader of his criminal organisation, Skerridge has been one of the most significant figures in the underworld for more than a decade. Through bribery and corruption he also controls many facets of law enforcement and the judicial system. Influenced at an early age by the untimely death of his father who was manipulated by street hustlers, Skerridge has always sought to impose his will in every situation - be it personal or in business. He is the ultimate control freak and will even go so far as to force unwanted surgeries on his mistresses to change their appearance more to his liking. Although he presents a calm and rational disposition in public life, Skerridge can easily be enraged behind closed doors, particularly if his orders are not carried out to the letter.
His voice is calm and controlled with an underlying sense of arrogance and superiority.
(Calmly relating a story about his father - conversational, pensive) “My father had a little business in Midtown many years ago. Did I ever tell you that? Building custom fabricators. He was good with his hands, and very good at what he did, but he was always at the mercy of the bigger players - those who could influence the distributors, put the squeeze on competitors. He soldiered on for years because he loved the work, but... in the end, they ruined him. Broke his spirit. And he died far too young.”
(Taunting, intimidating) “Take a swing, Detective. I have the reflexes of a twenty-year-old. I could knock your tired old body back into Midtown before you even knew what hit you.”
(Cruelly taunting an opponent about the death of his daughter - ironic, condescending) “What happened to her in the end? Oh, that’s right. You failed to protect her from the wolves. If only she’d listened to you, she might not have ended up choking to death on her own blood.”
Walker is a young and inexperienced cop who has recently transferred to the Midtown PD. He is smart and dedicated, yet somewhat naive. He cares about the community and wants to make Midtown a safer place. As a newcomer, he is still trying to find his feet in the Midtown PD. He has been handed a case that many in the department believe to be a waste of time, and has suffered some ridicule because of it. His new partner is old, cranky and demanding and this is causing Walker to undergo high levels of stress. Even so, he is determined to make the best of the situation and rise above it. He hopes to become an indispensable part of the force one day.
(Responding to a higher ranking cop who wants to know if Walker has heard any gossip since arriving at Midtown - exasperated) “Look, Detective... I only transferred to this precinct like... three days ago. Barely enough time to take a piss, let alone hear all the chatter that’s going on. I don’t know anything else.”
(Lying in hospital after being shot, weak and demoralised) “The doctor told me if that bullet had been a fraction lower it would have ripped my heart to shreds. Killed me instantly. Regen-tech can’t help with that.”
(Indignant and somewhat bitter, lying in hospital after being shot) “I’m not built like you, okay? I can’t just shake this off and pretend like it never happened. I almost died out there, and for what? Chasing after ganglords who’ll never see the inside of a prison cell no matter what we do?”
Rankin is a lieutenant employed by the ganglord Skerridge. He is vicious and uncompassionate and cares only about himself. Until recently, Rankin was nothing more than low-level muscle, but several weeks ago he was promoted to the illustrious rank of Lieutenant. However, not everything is working out in this new role. Rankin finds the new job complicated and he dislikes the fact that he is forced to manage and organise underlings. Even though the pay is better, he is starting to yearn for a return to a simpler role - but he knows this is not going to happen, as his boss would never allow it. This has caused resentment to build as Rankin feels trapped in this undesirable line of work.
Pronunciations:
Skerridge - scare-ridge
Orlov - OR-lov
(Frustrated as he talks about his recent promotion and how it wasn’t what he expected) “I really thought when I got that promotion that life would be better, but... you know what? It isn’t. Look at me - stuck here with you in the middle of the night, fumbling around in the dark when I should be sleeping.”
(Talking to an underling - impatiently spelling out the ramifications of upsetting their boss should they fail their mission) “Skerridge is making his new selection tonight. Can you imagine how he’d react if he hears something went wrong over at the docks while that was happening? He’d lose his shit.”
(Outraged, breathless, in pain after being knocked to the ground) “Get the hell off me! Orlov, help!”
Orlov is a ruthless thug who works for the ganglord Skerridge. He is not especially smart and prefers to let violence do the talking. He is loyal to Skerridge and will do whatever is asked without question.
(A little frustrated as his boss tells him to finish a task) “I told you I could’ve done this myself, Boss. You don’t even need to be here.”
(Fumbling around as he tries to get the job done) “I think they screwed something up, here. Sorry, boss. Just a minute.”
(Alarmed, shouting at a surprise attack) “Look out, boss! Someone’s coming at us!”
Reznik is a ruthless thug who works for the ganglord Skerridge. He is not especially smart and prefers to let violence do the talking. He is loyal to Skerridge and will do whatever is asked without question.
(Examining some illegal goods that have been acquired, assessing their value) “What do you think, boss? Anything decent?”
(Instructed by his boss to execute some female prisoners - unsympathetic) “You got it, boss.” (To the captives) “Sorry, ladies.”
(Impatiently answering a phone call) “Yeah, what is it?” (Alarmed when he hears some urgent and very bad news) “What? Why didn’t you tell us? Shit.” (Relaying the news to his boss nearby with a sense of urgency) “It’s Johnny. Said he saw someone headed our way a few minutes ago. Tried to call you but you weren’t answering.”
The Nurse works at the Midtown General hospital. She is courteous and well spoken and cares for the wellbeing of her patients.
(Making a polite enquiry after she hears a disturbance) “Is everything all right in here?”
(Handling a query from a visitor) “Certainly, I’ll just look that up for you.”
(Politely advising a visitor that the patient he came to see has already checked out) “She checked out yesterday morning. Maybe she forgot to tell you.”
Leota is a cop in the Midtown PD. He is low ranking and tends to look after minor, inconsequential issues. Leota feels impotent most of the time as he has been unable to rise the ranks over the years. With this being the case, he likes to vent by using biting sarcasm and by making fun of other cops, belittling them at every chance. He is part of a clique of cops who have a similar mindset, and together they have become a source of toxicity in the department.
(Mocking an old cop who has a new partner that is much younger than him) “Hey Cav, didn’t realise it was ‘bring your kid to work’ day already.”
(Mocking, continuing on with the joke) “Or is it your grandkid? Kinda hard to tell.”
(Laughs in a mocking, derisive way)
The Attendant works at a fancy restaurant called ‘Lusso’ (pronunciation: LOO-so). His job is to greet customers at the door and deal with reservations. He is polite and well spoken and always strives to put the customers first.
(Greeting a new customer) “Good afternoon, welcome to Lusso. Can I help you?”
(Urgent, voice raised - somewhat taken aback as the customer brushes past him without presenting any credentials) “Uh sir... I’ll need to see your reservation.”
(Backing down when told the newcomer advises he is on official business) “Oh... is there some sort of problem?”
Brad is an amiable young man who likes to party and have a good time. He is friendly and approachable. In this scene, Brad has just woken up in a strange apartment after a one night stand with a woman whose name he doesn’t even know. A stranger has knocked on the door of the apartment and Brad has gone to answer it. He is very tired and hungover. He really wants a shower and something to eat, but for the time being he is happy to answer the stranger’s questions.
(Sleepy, out of it - answering a knock on the door) “Uh... hey, man. You looking for the uh... the cute babe?”
(Sleepy, out of it) “Is that her name? She’s in the bedroom.” (Yawns as he walks back inside the apartment) “Where the hell is my shirt? Oh, got it.”
(Sleepy, out of it - when asked who he is) “Just a friend.” (Raising his voice as he prepares to leave) “Babe, I’m gonna take off. I’ll call you, okay?”
Dodds is a dedicated cop who works in the Midtown PD. He is loyal to his fellow cops and follows directions from superior officers. He aspires to rise the ranks in the force so that he can take on more responsibility.
(Awaiting for orders from a superior officer about what to do with some captured criminals) “What do you want done with them, Detective?”
(Asking for clarification on the orders - curious) “What’s the deal?”
(Firm, understanding what needs to be done) “Right. Got it.”
Sally is a dedicated cop who works in the Midtown PD. She is loyal to his fellow cops and follows directions from superior officers. She aspires to rise the ranks in the force so that he can take on more responsibility.
(Arriving at the scene of a shooting) “Where’s the body, Detective?”
(Hesitant, somewhat incredulous - no quite believing the news) “The report came in that it was... Skerridge. Is that for real? You nailed the bastard?”
(Impressed, with a hint of delight after hearing a notorious criminal has been taken down) “Shit. This I gotta see with my own eyes.”
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