"Road X" Podcast (PAID project)
Project Overview
"What happened to Ashley Clark?"
Hello all! “Road X,” is and audio drama podcast that tells the story of three teens that embark on a cross country RV road trip looking for their missing friend.
There is mystery, suspense and horror, cryptids and urban legends! This project is heavily based on character development and all the spooky sounds that lurk in the dark-- with a fun, comedic twist to keep the story going. Think Gravity Falls mixed with Silent Hill. The good stuff!
"An unlikely trio embark on a cross-country search for a girl who went missing about a year ago, who seems to have recently resurfaced. However, their journey takes a dark turn, and they begin to run into things that lurk in the shadows."
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What are we looking for?
We are looking to cast secondary/recurrent characters play an important part in our story. I'm adding a section for background characters as well, as we always have a role or two to fill in our episodes.
We mainly are looking to cast via the ethnicity of our characters because we believe that representation is important. As well, we highly encourage LGBT creators to apply for the characters, as we have a mainly LGBT cast.
And finally, we are looking for people who are willing and comfortable recording some of the lines remotely in a voice call with the project´s director via Discord.
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Paid Project:
Despite this project being a very an almost zero budget production, honorariums are provided because we believe that even if it's not much, actors should always be compensated for their talent. The rates may change per character and per episode, depending on the amount of lines on the script.
Opportunities might also arise for extra compensation via lines recorded for Patreon users who support the show.
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About auditioning:
- We are looking for professional-sounding audio only. Cellphone recordings will not be accepted.
- Send audios as raw as possible. We'd like to hear your audio in the way we would be using it for post production.
- Slating is encouraged (please include your name as in your CCC account, pronouns, and recording equipment)
- Please name your files in the format of CHARACTERNAME_Audition_YOURNAME (an example would be Aney_Audition_Johny Smith).
- Just for clarification, the project is SFW, but lines might require spoken versions of gore and swearing. Please audition at your own comfort level.
- Also, final note, all audition sides were either tweaked from parts of the script or created specifically to help people who audition showcase performance. It's not necessarily a direct reflection of a Road X episode.
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Finally, here is the story's synopsis:
Riya’s best friend, Ashley Clark, disappeared without a trace almost a year prior. The police eventually gave up, and Ashley was presumed dead. But when Riya sees a recent post from Ashley’s old social media account, she decides that if the police won’t follow that lead, she will. She enlists the help of her and Ashley’s friend, and the trip’s main source of funding, Daniel, as well as her big brother, Aney, who lives in the RV that’s about to take the trio wherever the clues lead them. Their trip takes them to nostalgic locations, following breadcrumbs that Ashley seems to have left behind, and investigating the circumstances around her disappearance. They become determined to either find Ashley and bring her home, or find out who was responsible for her disappearance, and bring them to justice.
Ever the journalist, Riya decides that the three of them are going to record everything that happens on this trip, giving her companions each a tape recorder, so we hear everything that they hear. However, this audio is edited together by Aney, who’s recounting this trip, and telling the story of what really happened from their perspective, and he seems haunted by whatever they encountered along the way.
You can find us here!!
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Latest Updates
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Hello everyone! Director here I wanted to update you all on the casting status: Lorena and Jayden have been locked, but we are still in our final decisions for Patrick and Dean (and will be updated for the CCC credit once those decisions have been made). We chose to delay our casting as we were in the final stages of our crowdfunding campaign, and wanted to make sure that the project would be financially stable to honor the amount per episode we have set for secondary characters for the project. As we are approaching the release of episode one, we will be finally sitting down and making our decision by the end of the week. The selected actors will be hearing by the 23rd at the latest. For everyone who auditioned in "other voices," (background), no one name will be selected in CCC, but some actors have already been approached for roles, and we will continue to approach people as we work on the season through the rest of the year to check both availability and pricing! We have a bunch of fun roles already in mind, so be on the lookout for future messages from us. You can listen to our first episode this Friday!! Here are some links if you are interested: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65972CLgRofFshhWipRNTX Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/road-x/id1634295316 Have a great day everyone!
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Thank you so much for auditioning!! (An UPDATE:)
WOW, the repose was overwhelming over the project-- I wanna THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!! Every audition has been listened to already, and the team and I will be making a decision over the next couple of days. [ About NAMED CHARACTERS: ] You'll messaged/emailed before being cast via CCC to confirm your interest in the project, then sent a Discord server invite where you can jump in the action! There we will be having recording sessions, and you will be able to access all material (scripts and finished products) as well as a direct communication between director, writer, script supervisor and line producer. [ About OTHER VOICES: ] There will no specific person casted through CCC, as it is a multiple-actor role. Still, keep an eye on your email/messaged for future messages about another voice! We have background and secondary voices popping up every episode (and hey, we already have our eyes on one of you to build a character around ;) ) If you want to listen to the audio drama, you can do it via Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/65972CLgRofFshhWipRNTX Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/road-x/id1634295316 And any other of your favorite podcast platforms! https://linktr.ee/roadx Thank you again, and see you soon, Gea Arce (he/him) - Producer, Casting Director, Director
Anyone with a male presenting voice can apply for this role. LGBT voice actors highly encouraged.
Dean Clark (he/him)
When Dean was younger, he was quite a shy little kid. Anxious and quiet, got picked on a lot at school. Now, he's gone through a whole 360-- he's open, loud and flirty... who always prioritizes himself. Dean acts like the charming bad boy, but is quite cold hearted, and will do things for his own amusement. This included dating Daniel, who now doesn't want to touch Dean even with a ten foot pole.
Dean is Ashley's cousin, and seems to play a very important piece in the mystery of what might have happened to her, but no one can really figure out how.
[ Dean is mocking his ex boyfriend ]
DEAN
Say cheese.
CLICK, Dean takes a picture of Daniel.DANIEL
Ow! My eyes-- What the fuck?! Don't aim the flash at me like that!
DEAN
(Mocking)
Come on, don't be like that. It's a nice picture.DANIEL
Dude, give me back my stuff!Daniel tries to reach for it, but Dean is able to take it out of reach pretty easily.
DANIEL
Dean!!DEAN
You know you're cute when you're mad?Dean winks at Daniel, which only makes him even more furious.
DANIEL
You're such an asshole.DEAN
(With a grin)
I know. You like that.[ Deans arrives home at 2am ]
Patrick opens the door just to see Dean on the other side.
PATRICK
... Dean? Where were you--?
DEAN
(cold)
Out. Look, I know it's late. I'm going to my room, we can talk about this tomorrow.
Dean tries to enter the house, but Patrick stops him.
PATRICK
You don't answer my texts. I call you, you pick up, then you hang up on me. Twice. And now you're here at-- fuck, what time is it?DEAN
Late, like I said. Can I come in, or are you going to let me rot in the rain?
PATRICK.
(Emphasis in every word)
Where. Were. You?
DEAN
(Snapping back, same tome)
It. Doesn't. Matter.
PATRICK
Kid, it does, okay? You were ignoring me. I was--
DEAN
(Mocking)
What, worried? Well that's rich.
Patrick takes a deep breath. He was.
PATRICK
Get in. Shower before bed, you're dripping wet.
DEAN
Don't fucking tell me what to do.
Looking for Black actors with a male presenting voice (any gender is welcome). LGBT actors highly encouraged.
Jayden Harris (he/him)
Jayden is the type of guy you want to take back home to meet your mom. He's smart, athletic, confident and has a heart of gold. Thing is, he's never really had the best luck when it comes to relationships. Ashley and Jayden, the popular kids, looked like a match made in heaven, but his time around her took more of an emotional toll than he would have liked. After Ashley went missing, the unassuming Jayden seems to be the prime suspect on everyone's mind. Why can't people just let a guy move on?
[ Jayden is running away from what he supposes is a stalker ]
Jayden enters the store in a rush. Riya somehow manages to follow behind him.
RIYA
Jayden! Wait!JAYDEN
Stop following me freak! Just leave me alone!RIYA
Why are you running away from us?!JAYDEN
Because you’re following me in a van! Why else?!RIYA
But why were you running?JAYDEN
BECAUSE YOU WERE CHASING ME IN A WHITE VAN.[ Jayden realizes that his girlfriend is lying to her friend ]
ASHLEY
Oh, thank you Jayden. Anyways, so sorry, Ri-Ri, I won't be able to make it. Jayden is super busy with midterms, and he asked me to help him study. See you tomorrow!Ashley sends her voice message and grabs the cup of tea.
(Beat)
JAYDEN
... Midterms?
ASHLEY
Sorry?Jayden looks uncomfortable.
JAYDEN
My midterms were last week, you know that, right? I can still drive you back into town in time for Riya's debate. Honestly, it's no problem at all.
ASHLEY
But it's Friday? I don't want to waste time at a stupid high school event.
JAYDEN
(Gentle)
Riya's been preparing for the debate for the past two months, you told me that. I thought this would be important to her--
ASHLEY
And spending time together is not important? You know, I'm choosing to spend my time with you. If you don't want me here I can leave.
JAYDEN
No, no! I...sorry, I like spending time with you too. I didn't mean it like that, I love you, just...
(defeated)
Sorry. Didn't mean to be nosy. Thank you for hanging out with me.
Anyone with an adult female presenting voice can apply. LGBT actors highly encouraged.
Lorena Clark (she/her)
Lorena grew up to be the perfect housewife. Sweet, friendly and caring. Since she was a kid, the idea of being at home on her own all day, cooking tasty treats and cleaning the house seemed like a dream come true. Specially being at home on her own, because no one could tell what she did behind closed doors. Neighbors whisper about a lit light a candle on the edge of the window, or a string of smoke drifting away to the outside. Besides that, it's anyone's guess.
[ Lorena is enjoying a nice beach day with her daughter]
We hear their voices through a cassette tape, moment frozen in time.YOUNG ASHLEY
Mama, mama, look.
A little girl runs to her mom, showing her a bunch of small shells collected from the beach.
LORENA
(Delighted)
Ashley, good job, look at the colors-- oh, this one is beautiful. You know, seashells are a gift from the sea.YOUNG ASHLEY
A gift from the sea? You're so silly, mama.
Lorena laughs.LORENA
Oh, but it's true! My sweet Ashley, there are still so many things about this world you need to learn. Just wait and see.CLICK. The recording ends.
[Her daughter's friend interviews her about a suspects on Ashley's disappearance]
Riya turns on the tape recorder again, ready to continue Lorena's interview.
RIYA
Um, back to Jayden, do you happen to know where he works?LORENA
Not specifically. I think it was at one of the malls, at a shoe store? Unless it’s changed in the past year, which wouldn’t surprise me.RIYA
You haven’t kept in contact with him at all?LORENA
No. I mean, I only ever saw him when Ashley was getting into that awful bright yellow truck. I don’t know if he ever said more than three words to me.
(distraught)
In a strange way, I hope you’re right, that he did something. Then you can bring my daughter home to me. But I can’t imagine what I’ll do if she’s already--RIYA
Hey. Don’t think like that. I’m going to bring her home. I promise, justice is my top priority.LORENA
Right, right. Sorry, that was such an awful thing to say, I just...
(beat)
I really miss her.[Emotionless, Lorena tells a story where mysterious things are at play ]
Lorena stands in front of the trio, Ashley's locket in her grasp. No one else can speak, frozen in place. Finally, Lorena breaks the silence, her voice devoid of any emotion:
LORENA
Do you see this?No one dares say a word.
LORENA (CONT'D)
Ashley picked up it up for me as a mother's day gift when she was seven years old. I still keep the little gift box it came with, and the mother's day card she got: from Ashley, to the most wonderful mama of all.RIYA
... Lorena.LORENA
The locket had a picture of her inside. Beautiful child, young as she was, captured in time. It's powerful, what someone's image can represent. A person's soul printed onto paper. Forever.Daniel tenses up. Lorena looks right at him, and her tone is chilling when she says:
LORENA
(CONT'D)
You know a thing or two about photographs, right Daniel?
Anyone with an adult male presenting voice can apply. LGBT actors highly encouraged.
Patrick Clark (he/him)
Patrick Clark is a man of presence. He has a stern voice and a strict attitude, but behind his grumpy outsides, he's quite a considerate guy. He means well.
Patrick is the rugged mentor type, and as all rugged mentors, his life hasn't been kind to him: he lost his wife five years ago, and he didn't take it very well. His son, Dean, who used to be quite a sweet child, grew up to distance himself as much as possible from his father. And so, Patrick feels isolated in the middle of his home, and doesn't really know how to fight against the feeling that maybe all of this happened for a reason.
{ Patrick is Ashley's cousin and will have an important role starting mid-season one}
[ Patrick has been up all night waiting for his son, who's late past curfew. He hears someone try to open the door, and realizes it's him. ]
Patrick opens the door just to see Dean on the other side.
PATRICK
... Dean? Where were you--?
DEAN
(cold)
Out. Look, I know it's late. I'm going to my room, we can talk about this tomorrow.
Dean tries to enter the house, but Patrick stops him.
PATRICK
(Stern)
You don't answer my texts. I call you, you pick up, then you hang up on me. Twice. And now you're here at-- fuck, what time is it?DEAN
Late, like I said. Can I come in, or are you going to let me rot in the rain?
PATRICK.
(Emphasis in every word)
Where. Were. You?
DEAN
(Snapping back, same tome)
It. Doesn't. Matter.
PATRICK
Kid, it does, okay? You were ignoring me. I was--
DEAN
(Mocking)
What, worried? Well that's rich.
Patrick takes a deep breath. He was.
PATRICK
Get in. Shower before bed, you're dripping wet.
DEAN
Don't fucking tell me what to do.[ Before the accident, Patricks talks to his wife about their son ]
PATRICK
(soft spoken)
How are you feeling? Are you cold, need me to bring you an extra blanket?NICOLE
Darling, I'm okay, don't worry.
PATRICK
Right, sorry. Wanted to make sure you're comfortable.
Patrick sits down on the bed next to her, and they both fall into silence. After a second or two, he sighs.
PATRICK
Daniel left the house yelling at Dean yesterday. I don't know what happened, but for what I could tell, Dean really pissed him off.
NICOLE
Daniel? But they've been friends since forever.
PATRICK
I tried asking what was wrong, but I only got the cold shoulder. Again.
(beat)
I don't know if I should be worried. He's talking to less and less of his friends, he's been pretty to himself lately. On the other hand, he's been talking to Ashley a lot. Lorena's told me that he keeps visiting her every once in a while. Honestly, I thought that he didn't really liked his cousin. I'm worried about him.
Anyone can apply!
Other voices
We are looking for diverse voices for both background and future named roles in further episodes! There are sides attached to this part, but you can audition with a demo reel as well, or with a different clip! Just try and showcase your range as much as possible!
{ For this audition, if you are going with the sides provided, read for the character opposite to Riya }
[ Sam is the head editor for a newspaper, and someone is calling to report a racist employee ]
The line picks up.
SAM
Edton Journal, Sam speaking, how may I help you?
RIYA
Hi, uh, I’m Riya, and I just had a fairly disturbing conversation with one of your past journalists, where she defended her own racial biases.SAM
(Confused)
I’m sorry, but any complaints should be--
With the click of the tape, Riya plays out their earlier conversation with Jeniffer. An employee of the Edton journal, openly framing an innocent man.SAM
(In shock)
That is very disturbing. Can you let me know a bit more about the article, so I can make sure to publish a revision?[ Security guard catches kids in a lie ]
SECURITY GUARD
Can I see your badges?
RIYA
Huh?SECURITY GUARD
Well, tourist season is over, so unless you were invited by a staff member--RIYA
We’re not staff.SECURITY GUARD
(Annoyed)
Well, tourist season is over, so unless you were invited by a staff member--RIYA
We were. We're a singing telegram service
The security guard takes a deep breath. They're not payed enough for this.SECURITY GUARD
(Deadpan)
Let me see reciepts. I can't just take your word for it.
DANIEL
Maybe we should--
Riya starts singing, off key, one of Aney's songs. Daniel joins in, barely knowing the lyrics. These kids are definitely not what they say they are.SECURITY GUARD
I heard enough. Get out.RIYA
That's fair.[ A server interviewed by a costumer ]
RIYA
Brown hair, baby face, one green eye and one brown eye? Nothing? Here, I can show you a picture--SERVER
(Uninterested)
You know, I don’t remember every face that comes through here.RIYA
Wait, hold on, couldn’t you, like, check your systems? You know, to see if someone paid with her card?SERVER
Unless you’re a cop, not really. What if you’re a stalker?RIYA
I’m not a--SERVER
Unless you’re a cop, not really. What if you’re a stalker? This wouldn't be the first time it's happened, and I'd be damned if this were to happen again.