Backstage’s Sound Stories contest, presented in partnership with Tribeca Film Festival, Sundance Co//ab, Tongal, Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS), and Musicbed, has chosen its prize recipients.
Representatives from several partnership organizations served as judges, selecting the winning project and two-runners up from 58 submissions. Teams were tasked with creating and submitting five-minute audio narrative projects inspired by one of three categories: “The Show Must Go On,” “A Sign of the Times,” or “What Really Matters.”
The winning entry was “For Whatever You’re Running From,” directed by Natalie Myrick and submitted for “A Sign of the Times.” The production follows “directionless college graduate” who meets a barista in her small Southern community in the fall of 2016, and finds her brain has been turned into a microcosm of the moment’s chaos.
Brett Schlagel was awarded the first runner-up prize for “Trinity Falls,” also submitted in the “The Show Must Go On” category. In his audio story, which is set in the mid-1930s, a trio of gangsters execute their final robbery at the Baumann and Charter Bank. Bullets and shrapnel fly as they make their escape and attempt to outgun and outrun the law. Jon, the group’s leader, is determined to see the job to its completion.
The Quickest Way to Break Into Voice Acting The second runner-up prize was awarded to “DIY Destinations,” directed by Monisha Dadlani and edited and co-produced by Matthew Keibler. They selected the theme “The Show Must Go On,” and their narrative centered on an overworked customer service representative working for the titular agency that helps people design the afterlife of their dreams. She finds herself overwhelmed with customers increasingly concerned by their own mortality due to the coronavirus. One day, she gets an unusual phone call from someone who assassinated one of her customers.
Myrick’s team will receive a prize package including a 20th anniversary Tribeca Film Festival access package, an annual membership to Sundance Co//ab, a SOVAS gold membership, and a business subscription to Musicbed. From Backstage, the team received a free casting code for creators, a free annual membership to Backstage for performers, and audio gear.
Overall, with an average cast and crew size of five people per project, approximately 400 people participated in Sound Stories. The contest also prompted over 1,800 auditions.
Congratulations to the winners and all who participated.
WINNER - “For Whatever You’re Running From”
1st Runner-up - “Trinity Falls”
2nd Runner-up - “DIY Destinations”