Casting

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Asians in Animation Pilot Pre-Production Program (4P) is designed to provide experience to emerging Asian animation professionals with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the animation industry.

Through hands-on animation industry simulation, we hope to produce a professional-level 22 minute pilot animatic and "shipping-ready" design package alongside a full production crew.

Please note that this program is a non-union, unpaid project, run by AIA volunteers. We are only accepting applications by actors of Asian descent.

Participants will contribute to portions, depending on role including:

• Casting & Records: November - December 2024, about 7 weeks

• Radioplay & Additional Records - January 2025, 2 week

• ADR: January - April 2025, as needed

Running Approximately 12/1/2024 - 4/30/2025

Holiday Break from 12/22/2024 - 1/3/2025

SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

Submission Deadline: November 23rd, 11:59 PM PT

We plan to get back to all applicants around the first week of December.

• Please submit your audition file via Google Drive Folder link containing your MP3 file(s).

  • Google Drive Folder titled as your first and last name (as appears on the application).

• Be sure to make your link to the Google Drive Folder accessible to anyone and have all final materials in the folder at time of submission-- if your folder is missing file(s) or inaccessible, we will not be considering your audition.

• Submit 1-2 takes maximum per character you are auditioning for, reading all the way through the lines for each take, combined into one mp3 file.

  • Do not state your name in your audition (slate).

  • If character is accented, lead with accent read. Feel free to include natural accent for second take.

  • All takes for a single character should be in one MP3 file. 

  • File Naming Convention: Character_ActorName (Ex: Oustider_JaneLim; Incidental_KevinNguyen)

• MP3 format.

• Sides are linked below

• We encourage authentic casting, though we're open to casting Asian actors outside of the character's specific ethnicities.

TEA PILOT - Casting Breakdown

LOGLINE:

In a fantasy world where tea is the foundation of society, a young outsider embarks on a quest to awaken her ceremonial tea magic and become a Tea Master. But when an insidious company threatens the land, the outsider must rise to the occasion and unite other Masters from the exclusive “Houses of Tea” to defend their home and culture before it’s lost forever.

ALL CHARACTER SIDES AND BREAKDOWNS

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

OUTSIDER/MC (18, F, Burmese) – Sides

A willful and idealistic peasant determined to become a powerful Tea Master. Gender nonconforming and comfortable with androgyny. Originally from a rural tea farm, the Outsider is unrefined in the pursuit of magic in a city of court etiquette, politics, and danger. Impatient and enterprising, with a persistent attitude. Forms a team of Tea Masters to defeat a powerful enemy. 

Voice Comps: Mizu (Blue Eye Samurai), Mulan, Xingqiu (Genshin Impact), Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn), Korra (Legend of Korra)

PET (Tea Pet, M, Chinthe) – Sides

MC’s magical sidekick, a 3-inch Burmese Lion clay tea pet that comes to life. Loyal, sophisticated, and stubborn. Pet makes expressive noises but cannot speak, and he also has the ability to fly. Serves as a voice of reason and calming presence for the MC.

Voice Comps: Percy (Pocahontas), Appa (Avatar the Last Airbender)

Personality Comps: Cogsworth (Beauty & the Beast), Jiminy Cricket, Pascal (Tangled), Cri-Kee (Mulan)

NOBLE (17, F, Chinese) – Sides

A prim and proper high-society elite from a family that treats her as a political pawn. Her snobby attitude masks a secret passion for tea and its history and fear of her own magic, which often brings ominous visions. She has a change of heart after MC saves her life and shows a friendlier side. 

Voice Comps: Mona & Faruzan (Genshin Impact), Kaguya (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War), Priscilla (Re:Zero), Missy (Fright Krewe)

ARTISAN (20, F, Pakistani) – Sides

A talented street performer whose creative dreams are out of reach due to family expectations. Charismatic, warm, and practical, with a wry edge. When we meet her, she’s in desperate need of money to support her sick older sister. Soon she’ll realize that her morals are worth more than a few gold pieces. 

Accent: Open to authentic Pakistani/South Asian or light British RP accents. Please include a 2nd take with a neutral/natural accent.

Voice Comps: Kate Sharma (Bridgerton), Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Priyanka Chopra, Noelle (Genshin Impact), Najma(Ms. Marvel)

PIRATE (19, F, British, White/Asian Mixed) – Sides
A temperamental mercenary following orders to spread an addictive evil drink throughout the land. Chaotic and cynical, she ultimately services her own needs and desires, even if that means defying her boss. 

Accent: Scouse or Cockney, can also try a general British accent. 

Voice Comps: Beidou (Genshin Impact), Nicole (Zenless Zone Zero), Catra (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power), Nobara (Jujutsu Kaisen), Lauren Lopez as Draco Malfoy (A Very Potter Musical)

Personality Comps: Jinx (Arcane), Mad Hatter, Harley Quinn, Azula (Avatar the Last Airbender)

EARL (40s, F, British/White) – Sides
​​​​Refined, ruthless and calculated. The head of a nefarious company attempting to hoard tea through trade – and she’ll go to any lengths to make that happen, no matter the collateral damage to innocent citizens. She prefers to work from the shadows and avoid getting her hands dirty. 

Accent: British RP, Drawling/Haughty 

Voice Comps: Maleficent (Disney), Queen of Hearts (Disney Descendants Rise of Red), Mel Medarna (Arcane), Evil Mary Poppins, Female Professor Snape (Harry Potter)

MASC-PRESENTING INCIDENTALS – Sides

CREW MEMBERS (20s-40s, M, British/White) - Brutish, hulking, gruff, British (London) men/sailors.

PARENTS 1:  South East Asian (40-50s, Female & Male, Burmese) - Open to accent, not required. Hardworking, Practical. Has family’s best interests at heart. 

PARENTS 2: East Asian (40-50s, Female & Male, Chinese) - Open to accent, not required. Noble and ominous. 

WARRIOR: (Mid-20s, Male, Japanese) - Mischievous.

YOUNG BOY: (Mid-Teens, Male, Tibetan) - An old soul, refined and mature. Knowledgeable about history/traditions that others have forgotten.

POP IDOL: (Early 20s, Male, Korean) - Showy and Dramatic

FEMME-PRESENTING INCIDENTALS – Sides

SERVANT: South East Asian (20s, Female, Burmese) - Wispy, Snow White

PARENTS 1:  South East Asian (40-50s, Female & Male, Burmese) - Open to accent, not required.

PARENTS 2: East Asian (40-50s, Female & Male, Chinese) - Open to accent, not required.

ADDITIONAL INCIDENTALS: Asian, any age & gender