~Frequently Asked Questions~
What is the Fruits Basket Audio Drama project?
The Furuba Audio Drama is an unofficial fan effort to adapt the best-selling shojo manga, Fruits Basket, into an audio drama with music, effects, and a diverse voice cast, chapter by chapter, episode by episode. This will not be a verbatim transcription of the original work, as dialogue will be changed or added in places for clarity and naturalness and some scenes may need to be shifted here and there to make the story flow as an audioplay. For the most part, however, it will follow the original story as faithfully as possible while remaining welcoming to new listeners and fans. Despite its nature as an adaptation, it will be a standalone story: no following along in a book needed.
The Furuba Audio Drama is an unofficial fan effort to adapt the best-selling shojo manga, Fruits Basket, into an audio drama with music, effects, and a diverse voice cast, chapter by chapter, episode by episode. This will not be a verbatim transcription of the original work, as dialogue will be changed or added in places for clarity and naturalness and some scenes may need to be shifted here and there to make the story flow as an audioplay. For the most part, however, it will follow the original story as faithfully as possible while remaining welcoming to new listeners and fans. Despite its nature as an adaptation, it will be a standalone story: no following along in a book needed.
Why make this?
Fruits Basket is a unique story, both timeless and rooted firmly in Japanese culture. It starts out as a lighthearted comedy but quickly reaches into darker places, juggling nuance and depth with silliness and melodrama. However, the anime adaptation, while not without merit, disposed of the story’s more complex tone in favor of a silly, simplistic slice-of-life comedy, leaving fans without an accurate representation of their favorite aspects of the story, and newcomers with a decent series that just lacks the intricacy of what could have been. The original comics are still the best-selling shojo manga (meaning aimed at girls, usually romantic,) in America, leaving a large fanbase still wishing for a better adaptation of a story I think deserves to be shared with a new audience as well.
This audioplay seeks to bring the story to life in a way that speaks to English-speaking audiences while retaining the cultural facets that make Fruits Basket so powerful and distinctive…and staying true to the original in a way that has never been done until now.
Fruits Basket is a unique story, both timeless and rooted firmly in Japanese culture. It starts out as a lighthearted comedy but quickly reaches into darker places, juggling nuance and depth with silliness and melodrama. However, the anime adaptation, while not without merit, disposed of the story’s more complex tone in favor of a silly, simplistic slice-of-life comedy, leaving fans without an accurate representation of their favorite aspects of the story, and newcomers with a decent series that just lacks the intricacy of what could have been. The original comics are still the best-selling shojo manga (meaning aimed at girls, usually romantic,) in America, leaving a large fanbase still wishing for a better adaptation of a story I think deserves to be shared with a new audience as well.
This audioplay seeks to bring the story to life in a way that speaks to English-speaking audiences while retaining the cultural facets that make Fruits Basket so powerful and distinctive…and staying true to the original in a way that has never been done until now.
Who is behind this project?
Silly me, I haven’t introduced myself! I’m JesuOtaku, an anime reviewer with a passion for amateur creativity and good storytelling. I will be responsible for casting and organizing the project, as well as mixing the final product.
You can see my review work at my personal site here or follow me on Twitter here!
As for a cast and crew, well…that’s where you come in!
Silly me, I haven’t introduced myself! I’m JesuOtaku, an anime reviewer with a passion for amateur creativity and good storytelling. I will be responsible for casting and organizing the project, as well as mixing the final product.
You can see my review work at my personal site here or follow me on Twitter here!
As for a cast and crew, well…that’s where you come in!
What do I need to audition?*
While all main roles are filled at this time, extras and background roles are always open, and can be read for by anyone with an acceptable microphone and a good attitude who gets the lines in before the posted deadline.
Extra parts/lines for upcoming episodes can be found at the Auditions/Extras page. Remember to include the name you would like to be credited under in case your read is chosen and have fun! ^_^
....................................................
*(The following are the guidelines originally posted for those auditioning for major roles in the project, and are preserved here in the case that auditions re-open.)
You will need exactly three things.
1. Good Microphone – You can be the best actor in the world. You can match the role to a T. But if your microphone is snappy, crackly, poppy or echoey? I can not cast you, not even as an extra! It’s sad, but that’s the internet we live in! Because this project is being done online, I need auditionees with good microphones in order to create a good audioplay. This is an audio-only story and constant static is just going to stick out…it’s not something I can fix in post.
Now yes, if I love your audition but think your audio needs sweetening, I will let you know immediately to give you another chance, and tell you what I think you need to do to fix it, whether that’s buying a new mic or just changing where you record, but you must have clear audio to be considered. You don’t need a hundred-dollar condenser or anything, just a decent mic free of distracting noise or tinny-ness.
2. Acting Skills – Fruits Basket was based on a manga, and has an anime adaptation. Therefore, people might be inclined to think of this audioplay as a fandub, and send in auditions in “anime voice” or “cartoon voice.” That’s not what I want, though.
Fruits Basket can be goofy and melodramatic at times, but it’s still a very human story and it works outside the restrictions of “anime-style.” An audioplay, when you think about it, isn’t going to have any visuals at all to associate it with anime. (Okay, it takes place in Japan, but that’s about it.) The point? Act out the characters as human beings, in something close to your natural register. (If you’re playing a young boy like Momiji or a buffoon in drag like Ritsu, you’re not really going to be in your natural voice, no, but don’t be too outlandish. Keep it simple, keep it human.)
You don’t have to have an “anime voice” to be in Fruits Basket. You have to be a good actor and understand your character. That may be silly or that may be subdued, but be an actor, first and foremost.
3. Time and Timeliness – So you’ve gotten the part? GREAT! You still may not have the part. Say what? Yeah, this is the unpleasant part to talk about. Anyone who’s tried to organize a project online before can tell you that devoted people are hard to come by. Some people will send in their audition, get all excited when you tell them they have the part and then…disappear completely. Never e-mail back, never turn in their lines, and completely inconvenience everyone on the project. Do not be this person. I do not expect you to flawlessly have in your lines super-early all the time, and I do know that this project may take a lot of time for those cast in bigger roles, but the most important thing is communication.
If you cannot make a deadline or have an upcoming engagement, contact me, and I will always find a way to work around your schedule. (I know a thing or two about setbacks and mucked-up schedules. @_@) So long as you keep me informed and make time when you can to perform your role, things will be awesome all around. I will give you scripts far ahead of time and try to make this the best experience it can be. All I ask of you is that you do your best and let me know of any and all problems. Thank you for your interest and best of luck! ^_^
While all main roles are filled at this time, extras and background roles are always open, and can be read for by anyone with an acceptable microphone and a good attitude who gets the lines in before the posted deadline.
Extra parts/lines for upcoming episodes can be found at the Auditions/Extras page. Remember to include the name you would like to be credited under in case your read is chosen and have fun! ^_^
....................................................
*(The following are the guidelines originally posted for those auditioning for major roles in the project, and are preserved here in the case that auditions re-open.)
You will need exactly three things.
1. Good Microphone – You can be the best actor in the world. You can match the role to a T. But if your microphone is snappy, crackly, poppy or echoey? I can not cast you, not even as an extra! It’s sad, but that’s the internet we live in! Because this project is being done online, I need auditionees with good microphones in order to create a good audioplay. This is an audio-only story and constant static is just going to stick out…it’s not something I can fix in post.
Now yes, if I love your audition but think your audio needs sweetening, I will let you know immediately to give you another chance, and tell you what I think you need to do to fix it, whether that’s buying a new mic or just changing where you record, but you must have clear audio to be considered. You don’t need a hundred-dollar condenser or anything, just a decent mic free of distracting noise or tinny-ness.
2. Acting Skills – Fruits Basket was based on a manga, and has an anime adaptation. Therefore, people might be inclined to think of this audioplay as a fandub, and send in auditions in “anime voice” or “cartoon voice.” That’s not what I want, though.
Fruits Basket can be goofy and melodramatic at times, but it’s still a very human story and it works outside the restrictions of “anime-style.” An audioplay, when you think about it, isn’t going to have any visuals at all to associate it with anime. (Okay, it takes place in Japan, but that’s about it.) The point? Act out the characters as human beings, in something close to your natural register. (If you’re playing a young boy like Momiji or a buffoon in drag like Ritsu, you’re not really going to be in your natural voice, no, but don’t be too outlandish. Keep it simple, keep it human.)
You don’t have to have an “anime voice” to be in Fruits Basket. You have to be a good actor and understand your character. That may be silly or that may be subdued, but be an actor, first and foremost.
3. Time and Timeliness – So you’ve gotten the part? GREAT! You still may not have the part. Say what? Yeah, this is the unpleasant part to talk about. Anyone who’s tried to organize a project online before can tell you that devoted people are hard to come by. Some people will send in their audition, get all excited when you tell them they have the part and then…disappear completely. Never e-mail back, never turn in their lines, and completely inconvenience everyone on the project. Do not be this person. I do not expect you to flawlessly have in your lines super-early all the time, and I do know that this project may take a lot of time for those cast in bigger roles, but the most important thing is communication.
If you cannot make a deadline or have an upcoming engagement, contact me, and I will always find a way to work around your schedule. (I know a thing or two about setbacks and mucked-up schedules. @_@) So long as you keep me informed and make time when you can to perform your role, things will be awesome all around. I will give you scripts far ahead of time and try to make this the best experience it can be. All I ask of you is that you do your best and let me know of any and all problems. Thank you for your interest and best of luck! ^_^
How do I audition?
Head to the Auditions/Extras page and read for whatever parts strike your fancy! Remember to include the name you would like to be credited under in case your read is chosen and have fun! ^_^
Head to the Auditions/Extras page and read for whatever parts strike your fancy! Remember to include the name you would like to be credited under in case your read is chosen and have fun! ^_^
Do I need to be familiar with Fruits Basket to audition?
No, and to some extent, it is better if you are not. You also do not need to be an anime fan in general. You just need the three things I mentioned above. Why is this?
I don’t need anime voices or huge fans of the series, I need good actors who can play real characters. (If you happen to love Fruits Basket, that’s just a bonus! ^_^) While the anime for the series did have an English dub, and it was a very well-performed one, please do not make your audition an imitation of those voices or performances. The anime was the anime, and I think it would be more impressive to do something different. Some characters, such as Shigure Sohma, are completely different in the manga and will require a different approach to begin with. (If you just so happen to sound like one of the dub actors from the anime but are also perfect for the role, I’ll still cast you, but no deliberate imitations!)
Long story short? Interpret the characters as honestly and naturally as you can, in your own way, and you’ll be cast where you need to be. Do as much or as little research as you think you need, but don’t worry about sounding like the anime or not being familiar with the entire plot. In the words of Kyoko Honda, “Just be yourself!”
No, and to some extent, it is better if you are not. You also do not need to be an anime fan in general. You just need the three things I mentioned above. Why is this?
I don’t need anime voices or huge fans of the series, I need good actors who can play real characters. (If you happen to love Fruits Basket, that’s just a bonus! ^_^) While the anime for the series did have an English dub, and it was a very well-performed one, please do not make your audition an imitation of those voices or performances. The anime was the anime, and I think it would be more impressive to do something different. Some characters, such as Shigure Sohma, are completely different in the manga and will require a different approach to begin with. (If you just so happen to sound like one of the dub actors from the anime but are also perfect for the role, I’ll still cast you, but no deliberate imitations!)
Long story short? Interpret the characters as honestly and naturally as you can, in your own way, and you’ll be cast where you need to be. Do as much or as little research as you think you need, but don’t worry about sounding like the anime or not being familiar with the entire plot. In the words of Kyoko Honda, “Just be yourself!”
Will you be casting understudies?
Again: this is dependent on the volume and quality of auditions that I receive, but I am interested in casting understudies, simply to strengthen the success of this project. (I really don’t want any of my first choices to drop out, but I’m not going to deny that it could happen.) If you are cast, please be considerate to me and your fellow castmates and be timely in getting your lines in, or if something comes up, let me know so we can work around your schedule. No one wants to be replaced, and I have no desire to replace anyone, but if I need to cast understudies, I may.
Again: this is dependent on the volume and quality of auditions that I receive, but I am interested in casting understudies, simply to strengthen the success of this project. (I really don’t want any of my first choices to drop out, but I’m not going to deny that it could happen.) If you are cast, please be considerate to me and your fellow castmates and be timely in getting your lines in, or if something comes up, let me know so we can work around your schedule. No one wants to be replaced, and I have no desire to replace anyone, but if I need to cast understudies, I may.
I’m not an actor…is there any way I can help out?*
*At this time, a composer and foley artist have been commissioned. The Technical Assistance link is dead, and will be reopened if additional assistance is needed in the future.
Please check out the Technical Assistance subheading under Auditions for more information. Your help outside of the cast list will be greatly appreciated!
*At this time, a composer and foley artist have been commissioned. The Technical Assistance link is dead, and will be reopened if additional assistance is needed in the future.
Please check out the Technical Assistance subheading under Auditions for more information. Your help outside of the cast list will be greatly appreciated!
Will I get paid for this?
Sadly, no. I cannot possibly afford to compensate a cast of this size at this time. I’m sorry. This is going to be a labor of love for me and there will be rewards of a non-fiscal nature, I assure you. (You know, all those intangible mushy things you got when you did plays in high school…?) Still, the short answer is that the actors will not be paid. As of now, you have to want to be in this because you enjoy it and from there…well, we’ll see what happens!
However, if you are interested in composing original music for the project, I would love to negotiate compensation for use of a musical score. (See Technical Assistance for more information.) This would be the only paid position at this time.
Sadly, no. I cannot possibly afford to compensate a cast of this size at this time. I’m sorry. This is going to be a labor of love for me and there will be rewards of a non-fiscal nature, I assure you. (You know, all those intangible mushy things you got when you did plays in high school…?) Still, the short answer is that the actors will not be paid. As of now, you have to want to be in this because you enjoy it and from there…well, we’ll see what happens!
However, if you are interested in composing original music for the project, I would love to negotiate compensation for use of a musical score. (See Technical Assistance for more information.) This would be the only paid position at this time.
When will the show be available? Do I need to pay to listen?
The schedule for episode releases can be found on the Episodes page, and the show itself is absolutely free. You will never be charged to listen to the story as it unfolds week after week. MP3 downloads are also available on the main episode page.
Extra goodies like bloopers and cast interviews may also be available in the near future. The download links will be listed on the website when they become available and, once more, are absolutely free.
The schedule for episode releases can be found on the Episodes page, and the show itself is absolutely free. You will never be charged to listen to the story as it unfolds week after week. MP3 downloads are also available on the main episode page.
Extra goodies like bloopers and cast interviews may also be available in the near future. The download links will be listed on the website when they become available and, once more, are absolutely free.
If you
have a question about the project not answered in this FAQ, please
contact me here and I will reply as soon as I can. ^O^ b