CASTING : GENERAL

18+. No exceptions. The Deep Dream State is marked explicit, R-rated

No. This is a passion project.

No.

Not if we have anything to say about it. We pledge to never ever use your voice for training data or resale. Ever.

18+. No exceptions. The Deep Dream State is marked explicit, R-rated

Age verification through third parties – such as CCC or Reddit forums – preferred to in-house ID handling.

No. This is a passion project.

We do our best to maximize actor exposure, including multiple high profile mentions. We’ve cast over 50 people with no complaints, but we cannot offer compensation unless we take advertising.

You’ll need to record all the lines by the due date.

Each line should be said twice, with varying inflection. This helps the sound designer find the best take and control for unexpected noise.

Before recording a scene take, be silent for 5-10 seconds. This allows us to identify noise for cleaning.

You don’t need a particular microphone. iPhone voice memos is the minimum standard. ASMR and gaming mics are discouraged.

Use your best mic for auditions and demo reels. Don’t use a higher quality mic than you’ll have access to for the recording.

You need to be able to send sound files and respond to email.

No.

Not if we have anything to say about it. We pledge to never ever use your voice for training data or resale. Ever.

That’s possible. If you want to opt out of that, please specify in your audition email.

The name you specify in your audition email.

Please do specify clearly, and make sure it’s in an email for recordkeeping purposes. We recommend using a stage name, but that’s your choice. A two word name is preferable because of IMDb credits.

We will not list names that are vulgar, racist, or politically charged. We have never encountered this, but never say never.

The links you specify in your audition email.

Please choose one or two. We can’t list a ton of socials.

Yes.

1. Speed of response. Responses within 72 hours preferred. Responses within a week are still in the running, though.
2. Previous work on the Deep Dream State.
3. Previous work on Neuralverse or Escandalo Network projects.
4. Existence and quality of demo reel.
5. Familiarity with the Deep Dream State ongoing show.

Once these factors have been decided, ties are broken by:

6. Fit for the part, determined by ass’t director and current cast through anonymous listen.
7. Further ties broken by directorial decision.

You will be contacted via email. You can also check the casting page here: neuralnetsandprettypatterns.com/casting/

The page will make it clear. We will also try to contact you via email, but can’t guarantee that.

If you’re not cast for a particular part, you may be contacted for another role within the DDS / Escandalo Neuralverse. If that offer’s extended, it will be automatic, should the VA respond within 48 hours from offer.

Yes. Every episode of the Deep Dream State has included one or more trans VAs. This wasn’t decided via quota; we just cast talented people who fit the roles and that’s how it worked out.

Email is necessary. Discord is helpful, but not a prereq.

Other forms of contact are helpful, but don’t count on them. Reddit chat in particular is very wonky.

Between casting and submission of your final sample, expect a response to email within 48 hours. You should commit to a similar timetable.

Chatting is good. Direction is good. Please do NOT expect immediate responses, particularly for advice or direction.

Yes. We’ll try to minimize them, but sometimes noise or other factors result in a blown take.

We won’t hit this button often, but if there’s a truck backing up throughout your whole take, we will try to get a better take, of course.

If you’re in the DDS, you’ll be on a mailing list. It’ll be used to announce milestones, episode drops, and additional casting calls.

DDS related emails will be marked [DDS] in the subject line. Other emails will be marked [Neuralverse] or [Escandalo].

Often, these will be casting calls for intimate audio projects. Please be aware of the possible contents.

Yes. When you’re notified of an episode release via email, respond for a CC. Most VAs want one; some don’t, so we let you call the tune.

In order of preference: WAV, MP3, M4A.

Don’t CONVERT files to meet the spex. If you have an m4a, send an m4a. Unnecessary conversions compromise quality.

If you need to use another file format, check with us for compatibility first.

No. Consistency is key.

Each scene should be a distinct sound file.

Don’t divide it up more than that. (Some VAs have sent a file for each line. While we appreciate the precision, that gets unwieldy in the edit phase.)

When sending a take, be sure to flag that it’s sent via an email to deepdreamstates@gmail.com .

Many VAs primarily use Discord. That’s OK. At the same time, we need to have a searchable record in case something falls through the cracks.

Discord, Dropbox, and Google Drive all work. Other file transfer mechanisms are possible, but prior testing is ideal.

Name it by [Character Name] [Series] [Episode] [Scene]

So – for example –

Ivy Deep Dream State After After E1 S2

If your program doesn’t allow spaces, dashes or just a text string is fine.