Casablanca youth voices (2016)

Over dinner, Caroline Young, voice agent at The Characters Talent, mentioned she wanted to do something fun with her young voice actors. Something to unite the group and add unexpected material to their demo reels. We batted around ideas – and then, “What if we gave them scenes from a classic movie? One that adults would recognize, but would be new to the kids.” Our shared excitement confirmed the idea and I started digging around for recognizable film scripts.

Casablanca is often referenced as one of the best American screenplays ever written, and after spending intimate time with those pages, I have to agree. I chose ten scenes that tell the Casablanca story through the relationships between Rick, Sam, Ilsa and Victor. They needed to be engaging for an audience, and offer a range of challenge for the young performers. We arranged telephone casting sessions, so I could cast the roles by ear; then booked studio time at Koko Productions and production was underway.

The sessions with these young actors and this astonishing material have been the most fun I’ve had in an audio studio. All talent were prepared and eager, and their willingness to play and work hard was a joy. Our audio engineer, Kale MacCharles, introduced them to the technology and made them comfortable in the environment. I focused their performances on personal expression and connection with each other.

Casablanca illustrations by Maddy Peters

Casablanca illustrations by Maddy Peters

Maddy Peters’ illustrations of the performers in these roles are the icing on the cake. She took photos from the studio sessions and interpreted the scenes to give visual expression to the fun we had.

We didn’t want to replicate the 1942 film, we wanted to hear fresh voices play with this material and make it something new and entertaining. I’m proud of the story we’ve brought to life here – the charming material and the confidence that the actors gained through this work.

Here’s looking at you, kids!

It’s not for sale at any price

4.1_1 - I'd like to buy your cafe (21) -06-16

Veronica Johns as FERRARI
Esmé Rideout as RICK

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Lazslo must never reach America

4.1_2 - Victor Laszlo will be here tonight (30) -07-12-16Otis Pritchett as RICK
William Ainscough as RENAUL

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Some of the old songs, Sam

4.1_3 - Hello Sam, Where's Rick (52)Hannah Jane Zirke as ILSA
Grady Ainscough as SAM

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The Germans wore gray, you wore blue

4.1_4 - I haven't seen you since Paris (57)Alice Campbell as ILSA
Braden Lam as SAM

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Boss, let’s get out of here

4.1_5 - Are you going to bed (60) -07-12-16Kylie McGowan as SAM
Casey Pritchett as RICK

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I’ll meet you at the station

4.1_6 - Let's Get Married (68) -07-12-16Madison Godfrey as ILSA
Hunter Dillon as RICK

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We’ll never see each other again

4.1_7 - I'm not running away anymore (86) -07-12-16Andrew Campbell as RICK
Mhari Rhiverson as ILSA

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Were you lonely in Paris?

4.1_8 - Rick Said to ask my wife (120) - 06-16Victoria Kazantseva as ILSA
Sean Thomas as VICTOR

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You were fighting for the same thing

4.1_9 - You must give me those letters (125)Sarah Madison Barrow as ILSA
Ty Consiglio as RICK

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You’re getting on that plane

4.1_10 - You're getting on that plane (150)Anne Campbell as ILSA
Seth Isaac Johnson as RICK

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Credits

Deep_Green_Final_logoPRODUCER: Caroline Young

DIRECTOR: Sara McIntyre

AUDIO ENGINEER: Wes Swales

ASSISTANT ENGINEER: Kale MacCharles

ILLUSTRATOR: Maddy Peters

Full project at DEEP GREEN ENTERTAINMENT

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