Voice Actors needed - Youtube horror web series / ARG
Project Overview
Tags that best describe my series are: #survivalhorror #ARG #psychologicalhorror #cosmichorror #darkfantasy #unfiction #webseries #ARG
Introduction
Hey everyone, I'm WinterNights. I've been writing this story for many years now, and I'm really, really excited to finally adapt it into a youtube web series. If you like horror, mysteries, ARGs, unfiction and complex characters that are just as enigmatic as the setting they find themselves in, then this web series might be up your alley. This is a small project, but it's very important to me, so I want to do everything I can to make sure that it succeeds.
Summary: (I tried to avoid giving away too much information, since this story starts in medias res and it's all about mysteries and plot twists)
- A mentally unstable teenager is left to die in a vast, foreboding forest. After a terrifying supernatural encounter, he decides to team up with an odd, mysterious stranger in order to survive. He'll soon realise that everything he knew about the world was nothing more than a lie, and he'll have to learn to work together with his new partner if he wants to avoid a horrible fate. Will he be able to defeat his own demons, unravel the mysteries surrounding his village and escape the hellish nightmare he finds himself in?
Web series format:
- The episodes will be filmed in the 1st and 3rd person point of view in multiple locations (mostly wooded areas).
- At the beginning of the story there are only two main characters.
- Most episodes will be between 1 - 3 minutes long.
- Some episodes will be dialogue-heavy while others will barely have any dialogue involved.
- This series is going to have a lot of scary scenes, mysteries, conspiracies and dark fantasy elements. However, the characters will also have quite a few bonding moments and a lot of character development.
- Some examples of youtube web series that are kind of similar to what I'm trying to achieve are Daisy Brown and hiimmarymary.
Voice actors payment - you can choose from the following payment options:
a. $30 - 50 US dollars (hourly rate), depending on your experience and how many lines / words you're able to record per hour; This means you will get between $30 - 50 dollars for every hour of work you put into this project (not for every hour of recorded audio, because recording one hour of audio would take way more than one hour of work). If anything is unclear please send me a message on discord and I'll explain.
b. 10 - 15 cents ($0.10 - $0.15 US dollars) per word (e.g. for 150 words of dialogue, you'll get between $15 - $22.5 US dollars)
I will always pay you before you start working, so you can be certain you won't be scammed
I prefer to pay via patreon. You can select ''upfront charge'' and you'll get the money the moment I send them. You can withdraw from patreon to paypal or payoneer (if you're outside of the US) or to paypal / with a direct deposit with Stripe (if you're in the US). Setting a patreon account takes a few minutes and is very easy to do. I'm also open to trying other payment options, but patreon is definitely the best, easiest option.
I'll try to increase those rates if I somehow manage to get more money for the project. I'm also open to negotiation or to a different payment model. If you have a suggestion, a different idea or any questions please go ahead and send me a message on discord.
Important: Keep in mind that some months might be busier than others. So maybe during one month, you'll only have to work for 30 / 60 minutes, while during another month you'll have to work for several hours. The amount of work depends on how quickly I'm able to create and produce the episodes. This is a long-term project (at least 1 year, maybe more), so please apply only if you're confident you'll be available for at least 30 minutes per month.
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Character description
The series starts when Finn is left to die in the middle of a vast forest for unknown reasons. He lost everything - his home, his purpose, his old life, and now he is completely alone, hopeless and lost. He is mentally unstable, doesn't know what's real or not and when he meets Cian he thinks he's just a figment of his own imagination. Finn is a loner / outcast, but deep down he truly wants to have a deeper connection with others. He will have to overcome inner and outer demons alike and work together with his new partner if he is to survive.
Voice
Teen or young adult. Possible interpretation: A bit flat, serious, numb, slightly but not completely emotionless. At the beginning he is having a mental breakdown, he's completely broken on the inside, but he doesn't want anyone to see that. As he opens up to Cian, he'll start being more expressive with his voice. I'd be happy to hear your own interpretation of the character's voice as well.
Payment Options (please read the ''Payment'' section in the overview above for more information)
a. $30 - 50 US dollars (hourly rate)
b. 10 - 15 cents ($0.10 - $0.15 US dollars) per word (e.g. $15 - $22.5 for 150 words of dialogue)
Instructions
1. Important: By far, the most important part is to sound like a real person, be as natural and realistic as possible. Don't overact and don't be overly dramatic or emotional unless the scene really asks for it. Try to make it sound like it's real, like it's really happening. If the character's voice is similar to your natural speaking voice or if his voice comes naturally to you that's definitely a plus.
2. You don't have to use the same exact words or phrases, I encourage you to change anything if you feel like that would make it flow / sound better, but make sure to try to preserve the original meaning.
3. Please do several takes if possible to show your range.
SCENE 1
[NOTE: He's resting next to a campfire with Cian]
(sincere) I'm sorry.
[NOTE: Cian asks him what for]
(sincere, pensive) Everything. I was just... I'm sorry.
SCENE 2
[NOTE: He's resting next to a campfire with Cian. He's indirectly talking about himself, expressing his self-hatred. Quiet, intimate scene, atmospheric, fire and wind sounds in the background]
(reflective, resigned, numb, quiet but not whispered)
Some people are born wrong. Doesn't matter what they say, what they do, or how much they try. They're just... rotten inside.
SCENE 3
[NOTE: The voices inside his head won't stop. He starts panicking (kind of like a panic attack), breathing faster and faster, he's on the verge of tears, shaky breath, but trying to keep it in, and then he shouts one of the following or a combination between those phrases:]
SHUT UP! [OR] That's enough! [OR] Get away from me! [OR] Go away! [OR] Just leave me alone! (heavy breathing / panting)
SCENE 4
[NOTE: Cian looks at him while he eats]
(friendly, a bit more expressive than before, less numb & flat) Want some? It's pretty good.
SCENE 5
(determined) I’m sure we can do this. We’re going to figure this out together.
SCENE 6
(laughing, wholesome) Yeah, you're right.
Character description
Cian is the stranger Finn meets after he gets lost in the forest. He seems to be a fun-loving, friendly, playful, sarcastic person. Cian can be annoying and insistent sometimes, but it seems like he really wants to help Finn. He usually likes to joke around, but when Finn needs his help, he can be serious, genuine and helpful. At the beginning, it isn't clear if he's real or not, and only time will tell if his intentions are good.
Voice
Teen or young adult. His voice is kind of / fairly similar to Sokka's voice (Avatar: The Last Airbender) or Alberto Scorfano (from Luca), but maybe less exaggerated, over-emotional and cartoony. Of course, your voice shouldn't sound exactly like them, but you can use their voices for inspiration if you're familiar with the characters. I'd love to hear your interpretation of the character, even if it's somewhat different from my description above.
Voice reference (you can use this for inspiration): 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajHYExlitRc&t=73s (first minute of the video - wacky, funny, ''hyper'' lines) 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB8CGkJTESo (serious lines in the first 50 seconds of the video)
Payment Options (please read the ''Payment'' section in the overview above for more information)
a. $30 - 50 US dollars (hourly rate)
b. 10 - 15 cents ($0.10 - $0.15 US dollars) per word (e.g. $15 - $22.5 for 150 words of dialogue)
Instructions
1. Important: By far, the most important part is to sound like a real person, be as natural and realistic as possible. Don't overact and don't be overly dramatic or emotional unless the scene really asks for it. Try to make it sound like all of this is real, like it's really happening. If the character's voice is similar to your natural speaking voice or if his voice comes naturally to you that's definitely a plus.
2. You don't have to use the same exact words or phrases, I encourage you to change anything if you feel like that would make it flow / sound better, but make sure to try to preserve the original meaning.
3. Please do several takes if possible to show your range.
SCENE 1
[Trying to wake Finn up]
(hushed or whispered)
- PSSST - Hey! (short pause) Hey, can you hear me? Wake up.
SCENE 2
- Aw, come on. I just want to help! Stop being so fussy about it.
SCENE 3
(sincere concern)
What happened? Are you alright?
SCENE 4
(slightly sarcastic, joking)
See? I’m always right. Kind of.
SCENE 5
(awkward, joking, sarcastic)
Well… Hey, look on the bright side, at least you have me… right?
SCENE 6
(serious) You have no idea what you're dealing with. If you go, you're going to die!
SCENE 7
(laughing, wholesome)
Responsabilities:
- Create a sense of 3d space and environment, taking into consideration where the camera is located, how far away a certain sound is from the camera, and where the sound is coming from (e.g. dialogue coming from behind the camera or from a higher distance).
- You'll make sure the dialogue and sound effects are synced and sound as natural and realistic as possible. There is no background music, but the ambience (nature, forest sounds) should be very immersive, atmospheric and realistic, as if we experience the sounds through the character's perspective.
- Adjust the sound volume for every line and sound effect.
- Suggest changes if needed.
- You won't have to do lip syncing.
Payment: $50 for 10 minutes; negotiable depending on your experience and skill level
Please add links to projects you've been involved in, especially projects that are similar to mine, and describe what skills you have.
Say something you think would fit
You'll work closely with me and use editing techniques in order to improve each episode. The episodes are shot through the character's eyes, so we have to make them as immersive and atmospheric as possible.
Responsabilities:
- basic editing (cutting, splicing, (re)arranging the raw footage); however, I'll also be involved so you will have less work overall
- suggesting changes and improvements for every episode
- coming up with interesting, creative transitions from scene to scene
- suggest re-shooting a scene if needed
- basic color grading
Payment:
$30 for a 10 minute video; negotiable depending on your experience and skill level
Please link any projects that showcase your editing skills in your application, especially projects that are similar to my series.
Say something you think would fit
You will help me select the best voice actors. You'll have to be able to identify good acting and good audio. If you've already created any projects and you have experience with casting calls, voice acting, or directing that's a big plus. Please post links to your previous projects in your application.
Say something you think would fit
You'll have to create about 10 symbols with an occult, alien vibe. If interested, I can send you reference images with symbols that look kind of like what I'm looking for, and you can send me a sample with one symbol to prove your skills. Alternatively, you could send me any art or calligraphy you've done in the past. Please post your discord in your application.
Say something you think would fit
You will have to compose a very short lullaby / motif (about 5 - 10 seconds long). Keep in mind that one of the voice actors will have to sing it, so please avoid songs that are too difficult. It would be great if you used the Bb Minor scale, but you can use any other scales.
Emotions / vibes: hopeless and tragic, but also comforting, accepting one's fate; melodic phrases starting in a major key (happy, hopeful) and finishing in a minor key (sad, tragic).
Similar songs: Isabella's Lullaby from The Promised Neverland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTJjtSP-ORc
Please post any instrumental or vocal songs you've composed that are in any way similar to what I'm looking for.
Say something you think would fit
If you like horror, ARGs / unfiction or dark fantasy I'd love to hear your opinion about my series, so I know what needs to be improved. You can watch any episode(s) you want (they'll be quite short, around 1 - 3 minutes long) and then rate them. It's up to you how many episodes you want to watch and rate. If you get bored you can stop watching at any time. You can also mention what you liked or disliked about the episode. I think listening to other people's feedback is very important if you want to improve, so I'd love to hear your opinions.
In return, I can watch, rate and review a similar number of minutes from your series.
If you'd like to apply, please mention if you're familiar with any ARG / unfiction / internet mysteries or if you're a horror / dark fantasy fan.
Say something you think would fit
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