A Request For Help For an Audio Project

[Nogrod]

If you need a bit more "mature" or lower male-voice, I might give it a go Brinn! But I'd not like to do very long parts (like two page-monologues) as I'm not a native speaker.


And we can make the extras for you, sure...

Just recording the host of us here ten times on top of each other with different settings...

[Brinniel]

Originally Posted by Gollum

I'll be Beren if I may. I 'd offer to be the narrator but my voice sort of cracks and flexuates (if that's even a word) in long speeches. Perhaps I'm just too used to reciting in beats, considering that I spend long minutes in heaven repeating bits out of Tolkien's Lay of Leithian, which is just about the only time I speak at any length.

Go ahead and try any role you would like. And as I said before, feel free to try multiple roles. It'll give me more options.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

If you need a bit more "mature" or lower male-voice, I might give it a go Brinn! But I'd not like to do very long parts (like two page-monologues) as I'm not a native speaker.

Don't worry, there aren't any Gandalf-like roles in these excerpts. Would you be interested in doing the voice for Bilbo? All you'd have to do is recite his speech from the party, which can be divided into segments to allow for the hobbits to be heard in between.

I'll send out a PM with my email to everyone who has shown interest, so be sure to check your inboxes.

[Macalaure]

So if Gollum is Beren, I shall be Thingol? Alright.

Of course, I could be a hobbit extra, too, if you like.

Originally Posted by Aganzir

A pity you didn't choose any scene with Túrin in it, Brinn - I bet that role would be perfect for Mac.

Ever since I put up that picture I get comparisons of that sort.

Originally Posted by Brinniel

Well, Thingol definitely has to be commanding.

Good, that comes naturally to me... wait.

Originally Posted by Gollum

Perhaps I'm just too used to reciting in beats, considering that I spend long minutes in heaven repeating bits out of Tolkien's Lay of Leithian

Hehe, I think a while back I was able to cite sections of it from the top of my head.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Brinniel

Would you be interested in doing the voice for Bilbo? All you'd have to do is recite his speech from the party, which can be divided into segments to allow for the hobbits to be heard in between.

I could give that a shot. I loved trying Bilbo when we made try-outs for the "Would there ever be a possibility" thing. (Which by the way should be ready soon enough - I just need to get Lommy and Greenie to do their parts so that I can get into editing it. Patience, patience...)

I might also think about some music if no one else will. But that's no promise unlike me trying the Bilbo-thing is.

[Brinniel]

Mac, I got your emails. Very well done...you make a great Thingol.

Btw, I still need a Luthien if any females are interested. She only says one line, so not much is required.

[Brinniel]

An update on the roles:

Silmarillion excerpt:

Thingol: Mac
Beren: Gollum
Melian: Nerwen
Luthien: ??
Narrator: Brinn (yes, I reluctantly recorded myself)

Bilbo's speech:

Bilbo: Nogrod
Hobbit Extras: Anyone and Everyone

As I was re-reading Bilbo's speech, I noticed this bit in more detail:

Noises of trumpets and horns, pipes and flutes, and other musical instruments. There were, as had been said, many young hobbits present. Hundreds of musical crackers had been pulled. Most of them bore the mark DALE on them; which did not convey much to most of the hobbits, but they all agreed they were marvellous crackers. They contained instruments, small, but of perfect make and enchanting tones. Indeed, in one corner some of the young Tooks and Brandybucks, supposing Uncle Bilbo to have finished (since had plainly said all that was necessary), now got up an impromptu orchestra, and began a merry dance-tune. Master Everard Took and Miss Melilot Brandybuck got on a table and with bells in their hands began to dance the Springle-ring: a pretty dance, but rather vigorous.
But Bilbo had not finished. Seizing a horn from a youngster near by, he blew three loud hoots. The noise subsided.

If anyone has any sort of hobbitish instrument, it'd be absolutely wonderful if you could record playing some notes...it doesn't even have to be a tune. I do need some sort of song at one point if someone wants to compose that, or else I'll find something online. I'm not sure about the firecrackers...I have some firecracker sounds, but they're not exactly fitting. But then again, I probably won't do this exactly to the narration...I don't want there to be an overwhelming amount of noise. I'd still love BDers to provide some musical noise though. It's a shame I have no access to instruments myself...I'll probably go find stuff online, but the less of that I use the better.

For the Beren and Thingol scene, I did find some ambient music off of Garageband just in case, but of course I'd still prefer anything provided by fellow Downers. Also for those playing the voices, any direction I have is indicated in the text. For example, Melian speaks in a whisper tone. And just before the line where he says, "For little price do Elven-kings sell their daughters," Beren gives out a laugh.

I'm leaving for North Carolina tomorrow for Thanksgiving and won't be back until Monday...but I plan to have internet access, I just probably won't be online as often. I'm scheduled to start editing my project together on December 5th, so I'll definitely need any audio before then. If for some reason you can no longer provide your voice, just be sure to let me know sooner than later. Thanks.

P.S. I still need a Luthien!

[Brinniel]

Nerwen, I received your email and your recordings sound excellent.

I'm currently in correspondence with Nogrod and from what I've heard so far, things are going wonderfully. (Btw, Greenie has volunteered to be Luthien.)

Gollum, I received your first audio file and like what I've heard so far. If I can get the other two recordings that'd be great.

I just put the audio files I have for the Silmarillion excerpt in order on iTunes. It of course sounds very rough right now, but I'm excited to get into a suite and edit. I found out I'll actually get to start on Thursday morning during class.

[Brinniel]

It's done!

And I've uploaded the files since I assume you all will want to hear the results.

1. Thingol and Beren

I decided against using the narration because I felt that having it in there was taking the audience out of the scene...hopefully the scene is understandable enough to the unfamiliar audience without it. I used panning to help draw out the locations of the speakers...Thingol and Melian on one side and Beren and Luthien on the other. It sounded fine in the audio suite, but now I'm listening on my laptop the panning sounds horribly unbalanced. Plus, the panning is reversed to how I set it. It might just be my computer speakers, but someone else give me an opinion on the matter.

2. Bilbo's Speech

The ambience is so much louder than how it sounded when I was in the suite, but I guess it's not too bad.

Thanks to everyone who sent me recordings. You all did an excellent job and I had a lot of fun working on it. I couldn't have done it without you guys. I hope everyone is satisfied with the results.

I haven't decided yet on which one to use for my grade. I'm leaning towards Bilbo's Speech because of the panning issue on the other one, plus I think it's an excerpt than an outside audience will more likely enjoy. Though I think I'll put both tracks on a cd...if there's time maybe my teacher will let me play both. But if you guys have any opinions on which one I use, let me know. I turn in the project tomorrow morning.