Backstage presents Sound Stories, a contest asking you, dear creator, to write, cast, direct, produce, and edit your own sound narrative! The challenge, presented in partnership with Tribeca Film Festival, Sundance Co//ab, Society of Voice Arts and Sciences, Tongal, and Musicbed, is for you to build a vivid world and tell an original story using only sound. Each project must involve some type of vocal performance, using an actor or actors cast via Backstage. Otherwise, you can let your creativity run wild! Besides traditional voiceovers and conversation, you are encouraged to find inventive means of sound design to convey your narrative and set up a time period, season, environment, or space to put your listeners into.
Creators’ projects must work within one of three themes: The Show Must Go On, A Sign of the Times, or What Really Matters. All submissions must be the entrant’s original work and be five minutes or shorter in length.
Top judges from the entertainment industry and Backstage will review all submissions. Projects will be judged on the quality of voice acting and direction, clarity and professionalism of sound editing, clarity and intrigue of the narrative, and ability to conjure a vivid setting for the listener. Submissions that include an original song will also be judged on the quality of that song and its contribution to the overall story.
All entries must be submitted as an .mp3 or .WAV file between now and Oct. 25 at 11:59 p.m. ET/6:59 p.m. PT.
To enter, creators must register to compete, post a casting notice for their project on Backstage and show that they used the platform to cast at least one voice actor. Backstage will provide them with a free casting code for this purpose. Entrants must be 18 or older and reside in the U.S.
Backstage and its contest partners will award the winning entry with various prizes totaling approximately $5,000 in value to be distributed between project participants. Prizes from Backstage include free casting, a free annual talent membership, audio gear, a mention in the winners’ announcement from Backstage, and several other prizes from the contest’s partners. Two runners-up will also be announced and will receive prizes.
If you’re considering participating, you can register now as a Sound Stories creator or performer for contest updates, here. Additional questions can be directed to soundstories@backstage.com.