Squad: Stories from the Front
Project Overview
INTRODUCTION
Squad is a massive multiplayer online FPS focusing on teamwork, communication and strategy. Every game focuses on each team depleting more reinforcements within the time limit or gaining the most ground against the opposing team.
The intention for this project is to slightly emulate that of the war stories from Battlefield 1, but in a much shorter time than over a pseudo campaign in a Triple-A title and presented as much of a Machinima as the games software will allow. Each segment will feature one or more soldiers fighting for one of the many factions present within the game, including the Russian Ground Forces, the US Army, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Insurgent Forces that battle against aggressor forces in the Middle East and Europe.
THE ROLES
Each segment will include a monologue that describes the soldiers personality and explore their experiences on the battlefield; how they feel about their country and the battles they fight. The video itself will be fairly dialogue heavy throughout, with a few moments of silence here and there. All roles are considered lead roles in this project.
The current deadline to submit auditions will be March 13th, but I'll be willing to push the deadline ahead if audition slots are not filled.
The current lines for each role are only place holders until the script has been finalized. I'll be sure to post an update once it is done and ready to be shared with anyone who's further interested in this project of mine.
REQUIREMENTS
I'm not expecting professional quality for auditions, but please have a mic of reasonable quality and try to eliminate background noise.
[TIP!]
Buzzsprout actually has a pretty good article on how to eliminate background noise in your recordings via Audacity.
Also, another way to eliminate echoing in your recordings is record your auditions in your closet or a confined area with objects that can help absorb the excess sound. I wouldn't recommend pinning clothes against the wall though.
PAYMENT
As you probably saw, this project is for fun, and I won't be able to pay anyone for their work. But I will gladly give credit where credit is due and alert anyone who makes the auditions of any projects I might have in the future. I hope you all understand.
CLOSING REMARKS
When conducting your auditions, I encourage you all to improv your own lines and give your characters some flare. Hell, even name them if you want; bring your character to life.
Also, I might be lenient about some of the accents of the characters if they cannot be done; they're main purpose is authenticity. Depending on what faction the soldier your auditioning belongs to I might just take allow different accents.
And one more thing: It's possible more voices will be added over time, so keep your eyes peeled!
Good luck everyone! I can't wait to see your auditions.
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Latest Updates
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Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've made an update for this project, I know. So personal matters have interfered heavily in the progress of this project. Because of this, I will regrettably be closing this project for good. I had high hopes for this one, but I won't be able to complete it at this time. I want to thank everyone that took the time to put in an audition; you were all terrific and I regret having to cancel the project. I will likely be back again with another project, but next time I will be sure to have everything ready to go before setting up another CastingCall. Again, thank you all so much. I hope to see you all again in a new project. Very respectfully, SilverSKYHigh
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Casting News!
Thank you all so much for your auditions! It was tough to choose between a lot of them since you guys put out some great submissions. That being said, the roles have officially been cast! To all of you that made the cut, I will contact you all when there is a finished working script. I'm getting together with a lot of clans that actively play Squad in order to nab some terrific dynamic and flycam shots for the project. Once everything has been compiled and sorted, I'll grab the cast for their lines and then we'll go into shooting and editing. Again, thank you all so much! -
We're back!
Wanna apologize for not giving more updates, but I want to thank everyone who submitted their auditions for this small little project. One of the roles has already been finalized and myself and a couple others will be going over the roles that have been submitted. So, at this time, I ask that you hold all auditions until the next update which should be coming out in the next couple days. I've completed a rough script, and I'll be moving to finalize everything and eliminate a lot of unnecessary lines and filler. I'll keep you all posted as information becomes available. -
Hello Everyone!
I apologize for the radio silence. A lot of things have been happening during my day job and I've been trying to keep up with this project as much as I can. I just wanna say that I appreciate all of you for submitting your auditions and showing interest in the project. A script is slowly in the works and I'm working with the wonderful guys and gals over at the Gamma Company Clan to try and nab some dynamic shots for the scenes. (The only probably is obtaining the fly cam ability. There's someway to do it, but I'm still figuring it out.) Right now I'm still going through auditions, but I think we've got some winners on a couple of the roles. I'll keep you guys posted. Oh. And stay safe, everyone. -
In Regards to VA Talent Lines
Some of the roles contain lines to emulate a reaction to combat or contact. These lines will actually be removed for now since I don't see these being used at the moment. Other than that, those who are auditioning are still encouraged to improv their own lines, if they so choose. That is all.
This soldier has seen plenty of combat and his voice should show that; a seasoned soldier that knows the pain of loss and sees the battlefield as the only life he's ever known. He possesses a very gravely and slightly monotone voice, and he more than likely has smoked here and there throughout his life. (NOTE: I'm not asking you to smoke in order to emulate this voice; nicotine addiction is a terrible feeling.)
[reminiscing] I was conscripted into the Russian Army the moment I turned 18. I remember feeling a sense of pride in myself and my nation. My brothers and I were the strength and spirit of the Russian people. But after 20 years of service and their names remembered only by the soldiers who buried them, pride dissolved into emptiness, and strength into pain.
[Note in regards to the accent: While it says any, I mean any accent native to the citizens that occupy the United Kingdom. Scottish, English, Irish, or anything that characteristically fits.]
This soldier is fairly new to the British Armed Forces. His voice carries his inexperience and his apprehension to take lives. As he recounts his experiences, it's obvious that witnessing the carnage and chaos of his first battle has left him traumatized and questioning his decisions to serve.
[Second note: The city of Nahrain is pronounced "n uh - r AI n".]
[reminiscing; depressed and slow] I remember the chaos and confusion. I had been knocked unconscious during an enemy mortar barrage as my squad and I were assaulting the town of Nahrain. By the time I awoke we were engaged in a hellish firefight, separated from most of my squad. The Middle Eastern Alliance had us surrounded on all sides, and we were losing men quick. That was the first time I had watched a man die... And the first time I had taken a life.
[Note regarding accent: I will allow any accent native to the United States, as well as a Hispanic accent.]
This soldier is a member of the United States Army 1st Cavalry Division, serving as an dismounted Infantryman. He's had some time in and two deployments, but the smallest hint in his voice suggests that he's still been affected by his experiences. Overall, he's fairly sarcastic and a bit abrasive, but he's always uplifted when talking about his battle buddies.
[hint of a brooding tone; slightly uplifted towards the end] I remember our Drill Sergeant telling our class in BCT that we wouldn't survive in a firefight. Even three years later while taking cover from a constant hail of bullets, I can still hear his words echo in my head while I watch our guys drop like flies. But even in the face of adversity, I know my brothers and I will pull through.
This member of the Insurgency is no stranger to combat and turmoil, having grown up a bystander and a participant. Begrudgingly he joined forces with the Insurgency after foreign powers began to interfere in his country. He wishes nothing more than for the conflict to end, but he will happily do whatever is necessary to bring an end to foreign intervention and the war bringing his country to its knees.
[reminiscing] I was a child when the foreigners ravaged our beautiful home. My father was killed in a fight with Canadian Armed Forces during the first invasion, and I joined the Insurgency the moment I became a man. While I disagree with their methods and some of their radical ideals, I know that they have the peoples best interests in-mind. Am I a terrorist? In the eyes of the foreign invaders, perhaps. But I carry the will and strength of my people, and I will not stop until this war has come to an end.
The youngest soldier of the others present in this project. Naïve and enthusiastic, they're quite unsure of Canada's involvement in the Middle East, but they're ready to see the mission through; even if their apprehension is obvious.
[monologuing; slightly confused] It's only been two weeks since we've arrived in the region. I trust that our commanding officers will not lead us astray, and yet I cannot help feeling wrong for coming here. What is our purpose here? I know that we are faced with a terrible enemy, and yet... I cannot help but think that we are the enemy.
A polar opposite of the Arabic fighter of the Insurgency. They're well aware of the conflict at-hand and are more than willing to put their life on the line for their ideals, their brothers, and their country.
[monologuing; determined] For too long have outside forces interfered in our way of life and oppressed our people. We are all well aware that our lives may end today, but we will fight until our last dying breath. For the might of our country and our God is our shield, and we are the sword that casts judgement upon our enemies.