If I leave anything out and you have a question, jee please post. I really hope people are interested in this... and please don't be intimidated by how long the post is!
PROPOSITION
I've been PMing a few users about this and so far, they have all responded very positively. But I didn't post a thread at first because I was nervous that it would be flamed for propaganda or spam of some sort.
CONTEXT
What is this project really? Well, it's 4 fan novels that I'm taking as seriously as I do with all my other creative writing. After book 1, I thought, 'hey I'm going to make 3 more books and make a series'. Of course I know I can't publish these, really, and so forth, but I can certainly make personal copies for myself. Then I started making artwork to insert into the middle of the books + cover art. And a logo title. Then I thought about the audio drama. Books are nice and all, but just books. You read them; you're done. No real interaction. Artwork is pretty, but you look at it, and then you're done. No one can really experience and share this with me by reading books or looking at pictures. And I want to share this with others. So, I started talking to a few people about the audio drama idea and they thought it was swell. Now I'm bringing it here to see where it can go. It's new and still needs refinement, but I'm serious about it and interested to see how other Astro Boy fans may respond to this idea.
Book 1 and 2 are done. 2 is being edited by me for finalization. And no worries, I'm completely aware of copyright and will not be selling the books, any art, or these audio episodes in any format for any reason at all. Ever. Period. The only reason I paid for and sent the first book to GhostATR is because he is performing the service of proofing my chapters without any compensation. He's marvelous.
I'm not going to make an audio drama from book 1 as, while it leaves the 2009 movie plot as the book progresses, it's too similar to the movie... and... there is already a movie. So, I'm starting this project at book 2: The Purpose.
Each chapter will be an episode. So, there will end up being... maybe 40 episodes. I may combine chapters, most likely chop off parts that don't translate or don't aid the audio version.
Has anyone voice acted before? I know several of you have participated in dubs =)
FORMAT
These are audio dramas/narratives. .MP3 format for each one.No visuals whatsoever. Many people are interested until I say there's no video/visual aspect and then they sort of sneak away. So I'm saying it here to prevent confusion later.
TIMELINE
It takes up to a month to even cover all the voices for the main characters. Please don't think that episode one will be done a week after you send in your lines. Some people may send in all the dialog in a day, some take 2 weeks. I've had people take 2 months but I would prefer not to wait 2 months for 5 lines of dialog to finish 1 episode with.
There's also Foley effects and any possible intro/transition tunes to make or locate, ask permission of the artists, etc.
So, basically, from day one of finding voice actors to the final day of reviewing a finalized episode 1, it may be a few months. Getting started is always the hardest and once these things are taken care of, I can probably have an episode every 1-2 weeks depending on the speeds of resources received from involved parties.
VOICE ACTING
All rolls but Cora are still open for auditioning.
There is no preference on your age, voice tone, etc. No limit on how many characters you can audition for or how many you may be placed for. No preference to if or how you modify your pitch and tone to cast other characters.
If you have samples of your voice online, please post the direct URL to where I can hear them. I've had some people tell me "yes I have my voice on such-and-such a site" but they didn't tell me their user name so I could at least look it up. I'm not going to search half an hour for their voice. I placed Alittleacorn for Cora this way because she had well-done dubs to promote her voice with and she had direct links to where I could watch her videos.
If you don't have your voice posted anywhere, please try out whomever you want from the cast file with the sample lines on the website posted above for this project. Send your samples to me (I will not post my email here. I will PM it though if you request it) in .mp3 or .wav format 44Hz or 48Hz stereo quality. Any information about how to record and so forth is on this project's website. =)
Also, there are small characters that show up here, there, once or twice off and on. I very well may approach and ask if anyone can fill those dialogs too.
FOLEY
There are many sound effects I can find from excellent websites such as FreeSound.org, but there are a few that I can't find on there. My synth and Foley skills are about 0, so I'm not able to simply make my own sounds.
It's been suggested I could rip sounds from some of the Astro Boy Anime episodes, but I would really prefer not to do so.
If you can make a few foley sounds for me here and there where I can't find and suitable sounds, I would VERY much so appreciate it. I really want this project to have convincing sounds.
CREDIT
I take my projects seriously. This includes always attributing all proper credit to every involved person. I express in my copyrights document on this project's website how, when, and where this project can be placed. Yes, though this is a "fan" project, you can place copies in your portfolios wherever they may be if you want to.
DISTRIBUTION
As already stated, I can't publish the books or sell the artwork. I make no under-the-table deals in this regard either. Any copies of anything I send I would have to pay for personally and have it shipped only to you. This is a very sensitive and delicate issue so please do not ask me to send you anything. The audio episodes will be posted on the project website and on youtube. Copies of them will be sent to all involved parties, but being the nature of them and the amount of people that may be involved, no selling, mixing, or distribution of them is allowed to any other places than specified without proper permission.
LINKS AND SO FORTH
Main project website: http://astroboyproject.netthrilldesigns.com/
Episode 01 script: http://astroboyproject.netthrilldesigns.com/pdf/The-Purpose-01-Script.pdf
Cast list with sample dialog: http://astroboyproject.netthrilldesigns.com/pdf/cast.pdf
Copyrights and Acknowledgments script: http://astroboyproject.netthrilldesigns.com/pdf/copyright.pdf
Artwork Gallery: http://iceytina.deviantart.com/gallery/27682169
Concepts and Projects Blog: http://andromeda-jump.tumblr.com
Oops. I'm almost late for class. Gotta run! ... Boy I'm nervous...
I have responded to your email with all sorts of lengthy, rambling paragraphs heheh. Accents is awesome. I want to challenge you. Try Dr. Elefun too? 
... they so mean lol.
!!! I mean with all your associated profile imagery ... 
... and yes I did the images. Takes me forever to paint anything. I am SO slow it's just pathetic.
. ill ask though i hope he says yes 
