TUGS Season 2
Project Overview
„The 1930s. The Great Depression has cast an iron veil upon Bigg City Port as two rivaling tugboat fleets fight for their survival.„ - Captain Star
The original childrens TV Series „TUGS“ originally aired in 1989. With its vibrant and colorful characters of Ten Cents, Sunshine and Zorran, the series has found many fans within or from beyond the TTTE fandom (Thomas the tank engine). The L.L Company has decided to reanimate this series using wooden models and stop-motion techinques, as well as background and 3D animations made in post production using Videoleap. Important to note: This is a fan project. There is no involvement of money whatsoever. Thus the series will also not be monetized on the intended publishing website YouTube.
- Audition Deadlines: Ongoing
- What we ask from you: The audio should be clean. No background noises. The voices should be as accurate as possible. Watch at least 1 episode from the original series of TUGS, to get to know your character, who they are and how they talk (if it’s not a character created by us for this season). You can send us the full recording, the lines will be edited by us later.
- The season consists of 11 episodes. We urge our voice actors to send an audio-file containing all their roles lines in total, rather than 11 individual files.
Other videos containing information about TUGS Season 2:
TUGS Season 2 Teaser Trailer:
When you are logged in, you can comment, add submissions, create projects, upvote, search open roles, and way more. Login here.
Big Mac is a hardworking Tugboat from Scotland. He has a tendency to be grumpy and superstitious, but he is a well respected earner of Captain Star‘s crew.
- english
- scottish
Aye. Businesses here are too small. Don‘t make enough money to keep them afloat.
D‘you need any help Warrior?
Ten Cents is a cheeky switcher from London. He can be hot headed at times and a tad gullible, but he is sure to do everything right for his friends. He is our main protagonist. In the course of this season he will cut deals with questionable figures and mobsters to secure Captain Stars loans.
- english
- english
Bankrupt! I already knew it was bad in the city but here too?
Yeah, but that won’t ever happen to us...right?
Sunshine is a cheeky, enthusiastic little switcher. He has now been part of the Star Fleet for more than a decade. He knows every little corner in his home, may that be the canals and lakes in Upriver or the old docks in Bigg City. But hard times are to come and for the first time in his life, Sunshine has to take care of something on his own.
- english
- english
Ahoy Puffa!
The flow is heading towards the waterfall! We must do something quick! Top Hat!
Hooray!
The dim-witted Warrior is going places. He and his garbage duty have become a main pillar of the Star Tugs financial income and survival. In this season he will rescue a car from being scrapped and make friends along the way. And of course he will take care of everyone's garbage!
- english
- english
Morning Ray!
(ponders) If I get to the scrap yard right away there's no way I can save that car! How about...yes! Snatcher! I'll get to his dock, he'll take out the car and I can deliver the scrap!
Oh, having one of your days again? (laughs)
The suave talking Hercules has been through it all. But the Great Depression is something completely different for him. In this season he will spend months without work. But when his chance to shine comes, he is ready to save the day!
- english
- english
(yawns) What, what’s going on old darling?
(sighs) I haven’t hauled in a liner in years. I‘ll try my best!
Zorran is the leader of the infamous Z-Stacks, the Star Tugs most fierce rivals. With his sly attitude, he can work his way out of every difficult situation. In this season, he will be confronted with some of his own guys turning their back on him and questioning his authority.
- english
- english
Aahhhh! My head! Be quiet you buffoon.
Yeah yeah. Imagine you in my place. Laying sideways with a broken boiler. You‘d whimper all day!
(grumbles) And keep your barge in check. Almost got me infected with a cold!
Zebedee has been growing increasingly uncomfortable with his own team with each job they lost. It doesn't help that Captain Zero replaces him out of the blue with the diesel tug Zander. Now it's his choice to stay with the Star Tugs or return to his old crew.
Note: He speaks with a liverpudlian accent.
- english
- english
Yeah alright...but, only as long as that newbie is still a part of their crew. If he's gone I'm going back to the old team.
C'mon Zug, don't be daft!
Nah thanks boss. I'd rather just move stuff in the background.
Zak has been a loyal member of the Z-Stacks for several years, but in times of great needs everything can change. When he is given the chance to lead his colleagues, he re-evaluates his position in the fleet. Later on, after failing miserably on his first job, Zebdee is given his position. Embarrassed and enraged, Zak will find another way to prove himself worthy of being a leader, even if it means for him to betray his friends.
- english
- english
(clears throat) Now listen here men...tugs. The Ruckersberg carpentery has given us a very important job. We have to deliver all these barges tonight. And don‘t let the Star Tugs snatch away our loads. (Laughs) Their so desperate, they‘d do anything for it.
Yeah but they don‘t know, do they?
(malicious) As expected.
The sly switcher Zug will do everything he can to please his higherups, especially Zorran and Captain Zero. As tensions within their eam arise, he is sure to take any advantage and maybe even stur up some controversies. The only thing that frightens him more than the Downriver Gangster Tugs is the Great Depression itself.
- english
- northern european
I knew it! Oh thank you sir, thank you so much I...(gets interrupted)
...
(whispers) Damn it!
Ooh, someone is jealous (laughs).
Zebedee, no one needs you, when we‘ve got him! He´s faster, better, and he runs on cheaper material than you!
Zip has a tendency to be dense, but he is also the most kindhearted member of the Z-Stacks. With his best friend Zug, he will be facing wild shenanigans this season, causing explosions and cutting into deals with mobsters. But, being rather sensitive, the Great Depression will have a toll on his loyalty towards Captain Zero. Because even the most warm-hearted tug knows: Only the fittest will survive.
- english
- english
But we‘re also desperate!
Ah, cunning!
(out of breath)...too...heavy...I‘ll...agh (faints)
Jim Cruiser is a steam speedboat, the first of his kind. He is generally a laid back guy, who can be clumsy at times. He isn‘t short of any boasting though. Another reason why most boats in the Harbour don’t take him too serious. For they know: Whenever Jim Cruiser is around, embarrassment and chaos is abound.
- english
- jamaican
Oh, sorry man!
I was just driftin‘, you know and...
No, because you haven’t heard this one already, and it‘s a really good one!
I forgot to break because...ehh...um...there were...fish...in the water!
Terrier is an old tug from Upriver. Since his engine has blown out, he resides on stilts near the railway crossing. He is old and wise, but has a youthful joy to life.
- english
- male senior
Sunshine! What are you doing here?
I had an accident a while ago. Manager says that my engine completely burnt up and he doesn’t have enough money to buy a new one. That’s why I‘m standing here around, watching the grass grow.
Not always. Sometimes the little dockside engine cheers me up with his jokes.
Big Joel is a harbour truck who knows his way around. He is the informant of the Z-Stacks and well respected by the underworld of the Port. He even has ties in Up- and Downriver to open jobs, that the Z-Stacks can take on, before the Star Tugs even get to know they exist. As soon as you see a truck smoking a cigar 24/7, you know who you’re talking to. So don’t mess about! Capeesh?
- english
Ho, what are you doing here?
Listen kid, I‘ve got something for ya.
Sea Rogue is a gentle tug, who got mixed up in a lot of bad situations. In the winter of 1933 he finally decided to visit his friend, the Star Tugs once again. But his plans for heading home early are cancelled, then as he wakes up, the whole port infront of him is frozen in thick ice,
- english
- irish
I have to leave soon anyway, so I thought I could help Grampus clear the outer regions and then head home. Uncle‘s already waiting for me at home.
Wait...what’s that?
The happy go-lucky Joe „Puffa“ Pufferson has no time to stop. With the Great Depression over his funnel, unemployment could hit him any second. But he doesn‘t work himself up about that. Instead, he tries to cheer up the inhabitants of Upriver and Bigg City, such as his friends Ten Cents, Sunshine and Terrier. But with a reduced railway staff and a lack of rail maintenance accidents will happen, now and again.
- english
Ahoy Sunshine, Ahoy Terrier! Can’t talk for to long. Have to go to the windmill. Bye!
Oh dear, what’s the matter?
Cheer up Little Owl! The worst days are behind us!
Captain Star has been a well known and well respected member of the Bigg City tugboat business for a long time now. But with the arrival of the 1930s, a new type of tugboat on the rise, a shortage of large scale operations, and tensions within his own fleet, he must be able to compromise. Now even smaller one time jobs for civilians and small organisations are worth fighting over, since the docking of ocean liners has become more and more rare in the port. With his biggest rival‘s popularity growing, Captain Star must reinvent his business model. „Star Enterprise: Ready For Your Labour“ marks his path into the future.
- english
- english
It was Springtime. My Tugs were working Upriver, to get the extended contract with the dockside railway during the turn for the new decade. The Great Depression was lurking over our heads and we had to take on all jobs we got. From transporting explosives and oil overseas to helping local lumberjacks to cut down trees.
It was march the second, 1932. The Scrap Yard Manager had bought a new scrap press. Now everyone from Mittsville to Lucky‘s Yard wanted to get their rusty metall and iron deposited there. As an opportunity revealed itself, I decided to strike a deal with him. I commissioned Warrior to take on an additional garbage shift. In the afternoon, he would be assigned to a load, consisting only of scrap metal and similar waste products. He was waiting at Krappenschmidt‘s. Jack was carefully separating the iron based garbage from the regular garbage when...
Everything was frozen in Bigg City Port. The northern winds had turned into our direction again. Neptun’s cold blow had transformed our home into a white and static desert. The previous day, when the weather still was moderate and no ice in sight, our old friend Sea Rogue came down to visit us. The munitions factory had given him a few days off, since they had to wait for their material to arrive. My tugs were very excited and we celebrated his visit throughly. But as we woke up next morning, we were greeted by the frozen ocean infront of our eyes. I decided that we must act quickly. If the port would stay occupied by ice, accidents were bound to arise.
The sly Captain Zero can't help his tugs getting into one mess after another. From losing the rights to visit Upriver towns to ruining a deal with the Ruckersberg Carpentery Society even to causing a construction site to collapse. But one thing is for sure: He won't be patient with them any longer.
Note: Try to get John Cleese levels of screaming here. No whisper screams, cause this character is going mad!
- english
- scottish
(shouts) WHAT?
AND WHY DIDN'T YOU DO ANYTHING?
(screams at the top of his lungs) YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GET THE JOB BEFORE THEM! WHAT'S THE USE OF AN INFORMANT IF YOU DON'T LISTEN TO HIM? YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THIS JOB IS WORTH? CHASE THEM, SNATCH IT AWAY FROM THEM AND DELIVER IT YOURSELF!
Frank and Eddie are two railway barges that often have the pleasure, or rather displeasure, of working together with Top Hat. They ar known for often cracking jokes at the expense of others. But when they are needed, they're always professional and there to help.
- english
- english
Frank: What about the giraffe?
Eddie: Oh no. His ego is going to explode!
Eddie: Nothing against him, but with Puffa there's always something to laugh about.
Frank: But Owl's got the mood of a sunken block of cement, at the bottom of the sea.
Lord Stinkers best years are far behind him. Yet he doesn't let that stop him of being a useful barge to Krappenschmidt's Garbage Company. In this season he will proof himself to be a courageous and reliable friend.
- english
- english
Oh yes! These rocks are a nice change to the usual garbage I carry. Although Big Mac could use a little washdown. Smells like rust and horse sh-
Only joking!
Yes, yes don't worry about me! Move, move, move!
These are one-off characters that appear once or only on rare occasions. You decide on a fitting voice for yourself.
- english
(almost underwater, gurgles) Well, finally!
GAAAH!
Try catching it! Just steam ahead and turn around a bit.
Jack the grappler is a scary fellow. He's always up to something. He enjoys himself the most when he pranks his owner Krappenschmidt.
- english
- english
Yes sir?
(chuckles)
Must have been an illusion.
Riverguards are the authority figures of Upriver. In contrast to their Bigg City cousins they're very untidy. You can decide on which voice would suit them!
- english
You are Jim Cruiser?
You are hereby denied any future access to the Upriver area!
Whilst everyone else is suffering under the Great depression, Izzy Gomez is having a blast. His new company is making record numbers and he is able to afford his own employees. With that cash he is bound to attract the tugs in one way or another.
- english
Ey compadre, these port authorities don't to let me in!
No no, I have a tow. But the contract papers are still with the old company!
Oh don't worry Zorran mi amigo. I have enough money for 10 of you with me!
Aye! Zorran compadre, speed it up corazon!
Aye! Aye! Keep going!
(cheers) Ariba! Keep going amigo! Eh...oh...no! NO! DIOS MIO!!
Little Owl is a tank engine, that works alongside Puffa in Bigg City and Upriver. As Puffa is a happy-go-lucky fellow, Owl is more somber, too such an extent that people might mistake him for being depressed. But all the while he is determined to do his jobs right!
- english
(in monotone voice) Morning. Freight transportation today?
All right, I'll go shunt the load ready.
(depressed) Okay see ya.
What's that?
Phew, lucky again. That was close!
Poor Grampus doesn't know what to do with himself. Nothing exciting happens in his life! But as the port is frozen, he'll find a way to help his friends and narrowly escape his doom!
- english
- english
(shouts) Sea Rogue! Here! Caught a big one. Try to slice it from the other side.
(shouts) Let's try it from there! We don't want those passengers slapping against the walls (laughs).
(panting) No worries...I'll just take...a little nap. (falls unconcious)
The hillbilly Josh Dun Dee owns a crane, which he transports on a float all around Upriver. He's always available for help, if you pay him of course.
- english
- male senior
(wakes up) AH! IT WASN'T ME!
Oh...yeah right! What's up pal!
Sure, as long as I get paid! (chuckles)
Iron Bass is your common friendly neighbour. He spends his days steaming through the Upriver and Bigg City canals. He is so common in fact, that you might get a bit suspicious...
- english
What's up Top Hat! In a good mood today?
(laughs) Well I can't see nuffin' boyo!
Fitzgerald, with his iconic cowboy hat, has gotten himself into quite the pickle. His driver abandonned him after drunk-driving into a garbage barge. While he was asleep, the sinister grappler Jack then tore his chassis off, so he couldn't move anymore. As Warrior finds him on the garbage dump, he must decide if he is going to rescue the poor fellow, or not!
- english
Dammit! Imagine you're just mindin' your own biz when you suddenly fall asleep for 2 seconds and bam! You're on a scrap barge.
Me? Being cut up? (rusty laugh) Kid, I'm a fine working car, everyone in my town says so. One (looks down)...they've taken out my engine...(panicks) and my wheels! Please you gotta get me out of here! I shouldn't be scrapped!
(disgusted) Ewww, lowd!
Sugar Ray is a happy little barge who works at the Sugar Beet factory. He's good friends with Warrior and Lord Stinker.
- english
- male senior
Greetings Warrior!
Fine, fine! Only 2% have gone bad this week!
Come again?
Oh...alright.
The gangster tugs inhabit the remnants of the once glorious Downtown. But they can also be found in Bigg City, mostly trying to con unsuspecting boats or extort them.
- english
Oi you there! Want some cheap cheap, sweet almighty coal? Gonnas charge you only 90% if your tell you Bigg City pals where to get the real stuff from (laughs).
Ho! Watch your mouth, will you!
The shrimpers are everywhere. In the Port, Upriver or even Downriver. Wherever there is fish, you are bound to find them.
- english
Oh, a good evening to you too!
Ugh, I don't have time for this!
The fire chief has grown a bit old, but is still ready 24/7.
- english
- english
(bibbers) Ah, hey there Top Hat! Morning Sunshine!
(stutters) Oh of course
What can I say? They're funny guys. They chill around the sidings and laughs like wise guys.
Note: Use an Italian-American accent
- english
Truck 1: Stew's Pawnshop usually holds a decent variety of them. But you don't seem to have any hands.
Truck 2: If you really need one, you'd better get one from Fat Conrad. He stole it from the yard, but now he's dozing between the floes out there.
Truck 1: Poor soul (giggles)
The future has arrived! Lucky's Yard's first home build and already he seems a promising catch. So promising infact, that Captain Zero is willing to kick out one of his fleet for him. But if he holds up to the Captain's expectations will be explored in episode 5 of this season.
- english
Good, then let's get straight to work!
Move aside kid. I am the future!
(almost robotic) I don't feel a thing. Let's work. Let's not waste our time. Wasting time is inefficent. Let's work!
The grim duo is back. Since their sentence ended they've been busy connecting with boats from the underworld, especially Zak, who is becoming more and more unsatisfied with his position in the Zero Fleet.
- english
Pirate 1: We have the suspicion that Downtown may be setting up buisness in the port. What do your sources say?
Pirate 2: Your rivals?
Pirate 1: Find out what they're up to.
Pirate 2: This port is ours! they know that. If it really is them, we'll get some heads to roll.
Santos is Jones right hand man. He is professional about his buisness, but he can smell that Ten Cents is trouble.
- english
Jones doesn't like to wait for his freight, (whispers to himself) ooh, that rhymed!
As long as the quality and quantity doesn't suffer under it.
Excellent. Then we can start the transaction. Hook, get the barge, then pay them!
Ah, it's you! No idea what he sees in you, but the big guy expected you. He's waiting already.
Jones is the kingpin of Downtown. Only a few boats know him personally. He and Ten Cents will build up a shared buisness realtionship in this season.
- english
- male senior
Ah! The tug in question! I've been looking forward to see you?
You know, we always wanted to get a star on our side. First looked like the monocle guy could be useful, but he's more of a poser.
I'm a pragmatist. Always have been. So I'll cut it short. Your stones? We could use them. Take a look at the houses here and you know why. Now the state only starts renovating the city in the east, but we're in the west here. And what do you do, 3 do 4 shifts a day?
Self-explanatory.
- english
Tug: What are you waiting for?
Man: Sorry! No more fish for today.
We're short on deliveries.
A gangster tug. Paulie should sound like Paulie Walnuts.
- english
EY! What do you think you're doin'?
I don't give a dime kid! You damaged the barge and now all our stuff's gone! You're gonna get us a new one!
Don't think we're gonna be easy on you twice kid! You better watch your back!
Ted the lorry works at the Downriver Aluminium Company. He is friends with Warrior and Fitzgerald.
- english
Ow!
(Out of breath) I'm here! I'm here! The rigs have arrived!
(sad) Yes yes I understand.
Warrior? I could ask you the same question!
Schneider is a diesel tug and one of the main bootleggers in Bigg City.
- english
- german
Ah, there you are!
Good, here are your barges!
Thanks Zorran! See you at the parade.
Tammy is Krappenschmidt's spare garbage barge.
- english
(yawns) Warrior?
Are we there yet?
(dissapointed) Great.
The Mini Gomez triplets are tiny boats, that work as Izzy Gomez's advertisement crew in his company.
- spanish
Mini Gomez 1: Aye!
Mini Gomez 2: Aye Gringo!
Mini Gomez 3: Ooh Maria!
Self-explanatory.
- english
- male child
- english
Father, the new painting is ready! I've drawn you!
Yes, definitely!
I understand. Thank you father.
Albert Star is Captain Star's father. He is also the owner of OJ.
- english
- welsh
Looks good Charlie! Unbelievable! Come on, show it to OJ!
Tell me, do you want to be a painter when you grow up?
That's swell, but watch out! Sometimes, even if you set your sights on something and really want it with all your might, you can still fail.
Melinda was Henriette's captain.
- english
- welsh
AH!
Darn! I left my bag in the boathouse!
HELP!
Marcel used to be OJ's sailor in Wales (late 19th century)
- english
- welsh
OJ! OJ!
Right. Come on we're leaving!
I'm worried. Let us search for them!
Tracy is support vessel for the Whaverly.
- english
- welsh
Yep. Safely arrived.
Thanks guys!
(also whispering) No idea. Oh sorry, I didn't introduce myself earlier! My name is Tracotter, but you can call me Tracy!
Henriette is a paddle-steamer from Wales. She shares some history with OJ.
- english
- female senior
- welsh
I have to say, thank you very much!
What! YOU?
Tell me, how long will it take us to get to U-Upraver?
No, I'll pick her up, further up the woods. You should leave already. Go ahead!
Waverely is a famous ship from Wales. Together with Henriette and Tracy she travels the western world.
- english
- welsh
And who knows, Sunshine. Maybe one day you'll be a celebrity too!
And to you OJ! YOur old Captain left a letter for you
Eggsbert is part of the obscure salvage fleet. Together with Billy Shoepack, Josh Dune Dee and Frisky Joe he takes on smaller tasks like freight transport. He's a bit off an anxious type.
- english
- male senior
And then, after completing his journey, the iron seraph granted him one last wish. So the voyager asked him to let him see the truth and nothing else. As his wish came to fruition he couldn't believe his eyes, as what he saw struck him with horror and awe simultaneously, as the bright orange light pierced his eyes. Since this day, the voyager travels around at random, with no destination in sight, wearing a blindfold over his eyes. For he knows, he is the only one, who truly sees!
Ah, I think I heard that one before, from the natives.
I'll join you. Home's the same way.
Vanessa, also known as "Expressa" is a very hectic locomotive. She used to take on the express and now hauls freight in Upriver and Bigg Island. But her old job still haunts her, as she isn't able to adjust to the low speeds of freight transport in the countryside.
- english
(hectic) No time to chat. let's go!
Help me out!
That's not helping!
Mike and Robert are two musicians on their way to the boat show, when they meet Hercules. They quickly become friends.
- english
Robert: Ahoy there!
Mike: Could you tell us how to get to the boat show?
Robert: Absolutely!
Mike: And what's your name, if you don't mind me asking?
Robert: Oh what a divine name (laughs).
Mike: Literally. (chuckles) And those two are?
Frisky Joe seems like a regular Upriver boat, but in reality he is a con-artist and good friends with Big Joel. He has ties to corrupt authorities and tries to expand them into Bigg City. He was a moonshiner in the 1920s and is a on-off member of the salvage fleet.
- english
- belgian
Zorran, I got some news from Joel! He's busy at the moment, but he lets you know that there's a job for you.
At the Boulder Inc.'s. They got a suspicion that someone is stealing their rocks.
The problem is, that we don't have proof. There's never a witness that fully recognizes him, so he must be stealing at night only. But we don't know when and how often. The company only gave us scraps of information and said that they usually only realize that something is missing after the customers complain a few days later.
Lillie Lightship has been moved from Dem Der Rocks to the most outer regions of Bigg Island. Hercules is glad to see her again, when he meets her, whilst towing in 2 ocean liners.
- english
- english
Oh Hercules!
(laughs) Oh dear, whatever happened to you?
No no of course not! You look younger than ever (giggles).
Bluenose returns at the end of the season to inform the TUGS about their country's new situation. Which leads into season 3 (big spoiler, I know).
- english
- english
Attention! Attention! Citizens of America! We are now at war! Fret not brothers and sisters! Because from this day on you will now be guarded for your on safety, by the navy!
![Wild Westly Pilot [Animators Needed]](https://d1m9vqlvl3fy94.cloudfront.net/project/attachment/282383/default_918204www22.png)
Comments
Public Submissions
