Just the Vocal Directions for Actress Nine
The Full context Screenplay-ish Script ( 14 pages )
Hi, I was really impressed with your samples. These are two scripts for S’Kerrah, an original heroine. You put so much passion and talent into your samples I definitely want to have you voice some characters; and see which suits your unique talent!
Voice style for this project: From your sample pages:
The dramatic range from that sample ( Especially for the last line of this script, with the high volume, threat. You’re one of the few voice actresses, that sounds genuinely angry/ threatening, and actually shouts, in a convincing way.
That’s I am hoping for for S’kerrah – that when she makes, threats, or raises her voice, it actually feels intense ( like so many of your samples) – but also , capable of the many nuances you demonstrated – in your phenomenal samples!- like deadpan, and lower volume, and wry, or sardonic, tongue in cheek black, or gallows humor.
S’kerrah is generally a lower pitched, whispering, shadowy voice –
The setting: is sort of a medieval amalgam of fantasy /historical archetypes, with a sci-fi body horror aspect. My goal is for the heroines to be compelling soap opera roles, in a world featuring 3 main locations*. Scheherazade’s Paradigm features in this cycle of scripts. With each of the 8 heroines, ( sisters, and other wise related a rare trait, ‘seasinging’ – a connection with the waveforms on the deep sea guardians of Erydeth, the Livyatans; which enables them to influence the weather) facing execution , by an ensorcelled Caliph. They using a variety of resourceful methods, to escape, and return to liberate the others; a metaphor for Thermidor/ Reign of Terror, under a demagogue – relevant to the zeitgeist. With a nod to highlander, with the umbreed’s only weakness, being beheading by vimril blades. The struggle is to prevent Nyhaelos from bringing unlife to Aethyrvast, by the promise of undying umbreed parasites, that give eternal life, but corrupt the host; speculative fiction inspired by late great, Harlan Ellison. Giving readers a chance to see anew, the concepts of change, loss, love, fear , victory and strength.
* ( Earth, Aethyrvast, and Nyhaelos).
Scheherazade’s Paradigm:
Homage to classic Roy Thomas good girl art/pre-code horror*** classics – George Lucas era suspense serials; in tribute to Scheherazade* A tribute to strong women, that features original characters – where a female lead is capable of being the hero.
With an original cast, an amalgam of real people, and experiences – relating concepts & anecdotes with a moral underpinning. A historical fiction series, in a unique, immersive world. Featuring original sagas, in the tradition of Grimm’s Fairy tales, and ancient parables from cultures around the world, as compelling edutainment,
*( one of the earliest heroines to use cunning and wit, to get her way in the face of the most powerful man in the kingdom).
The body -horror aspect, combines aspects of current events **, and transforms it with fictional elements from Highlander, and Venom. ** Islamic terrorists, ubiquitous beheadings***,
*** Quoting Wes Craven: “[Horror movies are] like boot camp for the psyche. In real life, human beings are packaged in the flimsiest of packages, threatened by real and sometimes horrifying dangers, events like Columbine. But the narrative form puts these fears into a manageable series of events. It gives us a way of thinking rationally about our fears.”
Category: Sci-Fi/Romance/Horror/ Western/ Adventure – Historical Fiction/ Fantasy.
Rating: Generally rated Pg-13; fantasy melodrama.
Character Description:
S’kerrah: ( Ess Care – Uh )
S’Kerrah is sort of an edgy anti hero, vacillating between acting like a tough
bad girl, and a girlish young woman, full of energy; sarcasm, and higher- pitched mockery. Her threats and commands, toward the sober, irritated curt voice.
S’Kerrah character description:
Assassin Leader:Anti hero (seductive – bad girl archetype) – early to mid twenties. An angry, somewhat entitled daughter, from a top college, who is fearless, and wants to prove herself. She answers to no man, and uses feminine wiles to humiliate and take advantage of opponents; male and female. She is not malicious, but is heavily in revenge, and trained relentlessly in various martial arts, gymnastics, and ninjustsu; proficient with tonfa, shurikens and Hook swords; particularly skilled at grappling. She has an appetite for young men, and enjoys enticing them to pursue her. As an orphan, she didn’t have a relationship to her biological father, so she works out some of these feelings, with much taller, stronger or older men, that are very mature, and knowledgeable. Eventually, her relationships sour, as she vents the rage she has, from childhood trauma, at the men, who generally don’t understand this is good for her, or where it comes from. A haunted character, that finds bliss in vigorous action, she runs toward danger, and thrills in demonstrating her fighting superiority. Sorts of a jock.
Pronounciations:
Original ( fictional names) –
S’Kerrah:( Ess Care – Uh )
Dek-Ram: ( Deck – Rum ( as ‘drum‘)
S’jera: ( Ess Jair – air as in fair – Uh )
Suathra: Soo- oth ( as in moth) Ra ( as is para )
Wikkoth:( Wick – Oth ( as inmoth))
Mnemoth:( Knee- Moth )
Ral’Jun:Ral’Jun: Ral (‘Ral ‘as in ‘Pal‘) Jun ( -‘un‘ as in ‘racoon‘ : ‘joon‘)
Xthraddon: ( Zith Rad done- as in ‘it is done’)
Cuj: ( su ( ‘su’ as insub ) j ( ‘ju’ as injudge) = cudje)
Jotugg: ( Joe Tug)
Vocabulary words:
Subterfuge:(suhb·tr·fyooj ) deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal.
“he had to use subterfuge and bluff on many occasions”
Grimoire: (Grim–waar )a book of magic spells and invocations.
Eunuch:(yoo·nuhk ) a man who has been castrated, especially (in the past) one employed to guard the women’s living areas at an oriental court. an ineffectual person. “a nation of political eunuchs”
Headsman:(hedz·muhn )a man who was responsible for beheading condemned prisoners.
Perusing:(Parooze – ing ) read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way. “he has spent countless hours in libraries perusing art history books and catalogues” examine carefully or at length. “Laura perused a Caravaggio”
Enigmatic:(eh·nuhg·ma·tuhk)difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
“he took the money with an enigmatic smile”
Seeress: ( seer+ -ess )a woman who predicts events or developments : prophetess.
Podunk:[POH] + [DUNK]a hypothetical small town regarded as typically dull or insignificant. “she lived in a Podunk town notable for nothing except the girls’ school where she taught art”
“Virago-Mara”**:
** Definitions: Virago:ARCHAIC
a woman of masculine strength or spirit; a female warrior. And a domineering, violent, or bad-tempered woman. “the campaigns of these indignant viragoes will come to naught”
Definitions: Mara: Hindu Mythology. the god of death, sometimes seen as one aspect of a god whose other aspect is Kama, or erotic desire. And (Hebrew origin) “bitter”, which carries the implication “strength”
I. “S’Kerrah’s Subterfuge”:
S’Kerrah goes undercover, to steal a key, in a mission meant to fail, but manages to succeed – revealing her frenemies in the council of V’ Nakam Rytu.
Genre: Suspense, radio -serial drama, Pg -13.
Word Total: 154
Genres: Sword and sorcery fantasy; Sci Fi, body horror mystery ( like the Fly, Aliens, Predator, Body Snatchers)
Dialogue :
Dialogue between “ quotations”, in bold-faced black are for the voice actress to act: The greyed out dialogue are the corresponding roles. ( to give context)
Scene 1:
The newly anointed* Leader of the Nayka Assassins, is received with the usual resistance from the older guard, who have plotted to have the young leader engaged in an extremely risky assignment, to retrieve the Key required to find the Grimoire of Mnemoth. Her subjects, explain the plan, and S’kerrah is thrust into the political chess game. Determined to use this as an opportunity, to demonstrate her undisputed merit, she takes note of those who like to see her fail.
*by Suathra, the Empress
Scene 5:
S’kerrah has gone undercover, with her assassins, as a group of captured enemy villagers, which they forged a note condemning them. Everyone, except the Executioner, and the chief assistant, carrying the skeleton key is in on the charade. Because the wikkoth operate with many levels of delegation, this was the only way S’kerrah could conceive of getting the keys without endangering a trooper. They are in no danger, since S’kerrah herself can take out the executioner, and the assistant with her arms tied behind her back.
Once she gets the keys, her undercover agents, will come with a new order to spare the prisoners, and then S’kerrah, with the keys, will return to the deepest dungeons cells, which are adjacent to the location of Mnemoth’s Grimoire, and then use one of the keys, placed incognito* amongst the rest to get the map to the grimoire, once they have the map grimoire, they will, arrange for the agent to have them released, and leave to avoid suspicion – until they get the grimoire.
*(making them harder to discover)** Definitions: grimoire: (Grim–waar )a book of magic spells and invocations.
*** Definitions: incognito
Then S’kerrah will return, like a scourge, and raze the Talverna barracks, of the Wikkoth, no longer needing Cuj Wikkoth – according to Suathra’s plot*.
- because the Grimoire of Mnemoth, will enable her to open the Bn’ thosf”oram’en, to Jotugg Mnemoth, and create an umbreed army with his legions; rather than continue to collaborate with the duplicitous Cornelius ( Cu j Wikkoth’s avatar on Erydeth)
Act II: The Wikkoth Key Keeper
Scene 1:
“ S’Kerrah’s Subterfuge”
Location: Hall of Virago-Mara** translated: Warrior-woman Spectre – The domineering bad tempered Suathra’s wraith-like, assassins – the Deathshook elite. Suathra’s secret underground corridors for the Nayka, connecting Drackendour to every kingdom she usurps
Skerrah: “ Speak.”
[ Vocal Direction: said in an imperious, tone, slightly curt, and annoyed; the ennui of a leader, juggling many weighty tasks, with a lot at stake.
Application: Since assuming the role of leader of the Deathshook assassins, she has lost sleep, and become increasingly high-strung; her ambition taking a toll on her vitality. The price of ruling Suathra’s elite order of assassins.]
Dek-Ram: “We’ve been informed, the Key to the Grimoire is kept by someone in Talverna’s Dungeon, an assistant to the headsman – known within the Priesthood as the Wikkoth Key Keeper. “
S’Kerrah, seated in the largest chair at the position of leadership in the underground hall of the V’ Nakam Rytu, ponders the report, resting her head on her chin, and calculating.
Scout1: (female) “ Virago-Mara, we’ve also learned that the Wikkoth have no way to open the Grimoire themselves, or detect the key has gone missing.
( first hyphenated phrase, said as a title, like ‘ your majesty’ )
Skerrah: “Really? “
( said bemused, eye brows raised, expressing surprise at this unexpected datum; not in line with her or other’s previous concept of the obstacles facing them; a hint of relief, at the opportunities this development presents; slight eagerness and hopefulness in the tone.)
Elder overseer ( male):“( bowing low on one knee, the sound of quickly folding well oiled leather from thigh boots, festooned with burnt etchings of the ancient runes of the Shadow hook assassins, pre-dating S’kerrah’s rise to command.)
“ Yes, Virago-Mara – the Wikkoth are not permitted to know which key opens the chamber where the map to the Grimoire is located, Cuj will not trust his minions to resist the temptation to betray him to Mnemoth.”
Scout 1: “So, if we take the key,,.. they won’t even know.”
Elder overseer ( female): ( bowing low on one knee, similarly dressed in black ornate leather ceremonial armor, both functional and regal. She appears older than S’kerrah,a twenty something in comparison, to the unknown age of the slightly blueskinned Drinna hybrid. From the generation of Suathra; there is a sense that she must bite her tongue, to show deference to S’kerrah, and bitterness that she isn’t seated in the ruling chair) “ Mara-virago, our most experienced tacticians, have devise several strategies for attaining the key, the one I advise, is the subterfuge…”
Skerrah: “ Subterfuge?.” ( said with a frown, as though expecting duplicity from this elder overseer, detecting the aura of her jealously , ambition, and loyalty to Suathra alone – and only out of fear. The tone implies, “ tell me more.”)
“Explain.”
Dek-Ram: ( speaking like a fan boy, eager to impress with his expertise. He speaks, brightly and rapidly, with a tone like a man wooing a girl out of his league, or speaking to convince someone to give him a larger salary.) “ The Wikkoth Key Keeper is the headsman assistant, our spies report he keeps the keys on his belt, at all times, they also deduced which key opens the grimoire map room. The plan is to have a group of disguised as foreign bandits, taken captive by the Wikkoth priests occupying the Talverna dungeon. They won’t suspect anyone knows they are operating as anything other than dungeon staff, and will make effort to maintain a subterfuge.”
Elder overseer ( female): interjecting “ while they are pretending to be basic dungeon staff, they will be more easily infiltrated, and all that is required is minor sleight of hand, to exchange the key with a facsimile.”
Elder overseer ( male): interjects ( as though no longer willing hold back his superior understanding of the situation ) “ Since you are the ( bowing, almost with a thinly veiled sneer; as though relishing the position of danger S’kerrah, the new leader is being placed in) , most dexterous of the V’ Nakam Rytu, this ( pausing to choose a word that fits the spin he is putting on the pitch) ‘delicate’ assignment, must be entrusted to you personally. ( he is beaming, through thin teeth, and fingers tapping against each other in a prayer postiion – self -satisfied in his deft political performance; clearly wishing her death, in this assignment, and to assume command, as the Elder Overseers would condone)
S’kerrah: “ I, see,..”
[ Vocal Direction: she contemplates her response, aware that this is sort of a ‘hazing’ process, from the elder Deathshook, testing the mettle of their new leader. With grim resolve, she steels herself for the dangerous mission.
Application: If she wants to establish her indisputable qualification and fearless ness, the only response would be to rise to the task, and prove herself – then later, find a pretense to execute the ‘frenemies’ in her court. But to show any sign of unwillingness to rise to the task, now*, would inspire doubt, and add fuel to the questioning of her merit to be leader** – and the likelyhood of a dagger in the back, from one of the elder overseers,
* that it’s been presented in the hall of Virago-mara )
** adding to the litany of reservations; her age, inexperience, background, upbringing, citzenship, ect. ]
Skerrah: “Very well, ..” ( said, heavy with heart, preoccupied, and taking a deep breath in proportion to the upcoming task)
8 words.
“ Fail me,.. and you’ll see how dexterous I really am. “
10 words.
(Vocal direction: first phrase with a punctuated higher volume and raised tone that drops “ Fail! me
“ with a pause, for a whispered, malevolent threat, that is delivered in a tone that is throaty, callous, and sober. Exposing the tip of the ice berg, on the fury awaiting whomever openly betrays her.
Application: No longer sounding benevolent, directed as a cold menacing, threat, to whom it may concern. She is asserting, there will be repercussions – punishment for every act of treachery. Warning the elders,( though S’Kerrah is young), she is not to be trifled with- declaring she is ready to fight for her supremacy, and anyone who tries to bring her down, will be viciously dealt with personally.
The Hall of Virago-mara, seems like a classroom, after the substitute teacher unexpectedly brings the thunder, and leaves every hooligan and opportunistic troublemaker, cowering, and on good behavior – from the fear of her retribution.]
18 words total
Scene 5: “ Sleight of Heel”
Voice style: Utilizing the mocking aspect, of your voice* for S’Kerrah’s repartee** with the Headsman and assistant Key Keeper.
* (in samples when you are teasing men- speaking as though self-amused, by the awareness that men react to certain subjects, when you approach them from a place of innocence, and they nonetheless appear tantalized*) .
** definitions: repartee: conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.
“he had a quick mind and a splendid gift of repartee”
*Definitions: Tantalize: torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable.
“such ambitious questions have long tantalized the world’s best thinkers” Excite the senses or desires of (someone). “she still tantalized him”
Relevant Back Story: Skerrah is cavalier, seemingly unconcerned, or a conspicuous absence of fear, as the Judikon Tyrexis gives the assassin leader, a death sentence; unless she reveals the secret bases of the V’nakam rytu, Shadows Hook assassins, throughout the catacombs beneath Ral’jun.
Skerrah: “Alright,,.. I’m here.”
( Vocal directions: Sounding like someone who has been hounded by an enthusiastic nerd, to come and witness their science project, and after doing all the more important things she had to do, finally comes over to see the Science project, with a tone that sounds like resigned to participate in what she expects to be a boring slideshow, which she will endure, only out of politeness. Not disguising her annoyance, because she is unconcerned what they think, and come to expect the mundane from them.
First word: rising, then falling, like a sigh, stretched out over a 2 and a half second count
second word: rising tone on ‘I’m” , rise, then falling like a sigh on ‘here’. )
Application: A scene where she is marched out by two hooded Wikkoth priests, to a scaffold, where an executioner grips a two handed, double bladed battle axe. She is at the foot of the 6 stairs that lead up the platform where a priest with a scroll has just read hear name from a list of the condemned. ]
S’Kerrah: “I bet every red-blooded male watching me right now, has an erection,.. “
( Vocal directions: Said with facetious innocence, an observation from a woman that is pure, and didn’t know how men responded to aspects of her femininity*, till recently. A pixyish, statement, that is a direct confrontation – challenging the machismo of the 6 ft 8 380 lb Headsman **. Voice style, similar to the voice sample with the girl too shy to talk dirty.
** like ‘the mountain‘ in ‘Game of Thrones’
*( such as movement, tone of voice, speaking about certain things.)
Application: A left-handed insult to the Executioner: S’Kerrah is creating an awkward moment, deliberately to distract the assistants. So she can operate most effectively, at the sleight of hand, to get the Key from the Keeper.
]
S’Kerrah: “,.. but, unfortunately, …you’re not one of them,..”
(Vocal Directions: First two words, said as though she is musing, speaking her random thoughts aloud; to not telegraph the punchline, coming in the last 5 words; which she lowers her voice to a confidential hiss of a whisper.
Application: As she enters a sort of stealthy, series of provocations; that are direct, yet so nuanced, as to almost go undetected – like the nature of the assassins. Demonstrating to the viewer, the Leader of the Assassins, has a brazen, fierce, audacity, in addition, to fearlessness.)
23 words.
S’Kerrah: “,.. are you: ‘exe-cu-tion-er’ ; you’re a eunuch, aren’t you,..”
( Vocal directions: She says the first two words , in that mockery of whispered seductive voice, which sounds like a thinly vieled hiss from a cobra rearing to strike. Third word: she enunciates each syllable, with a tone that sounds like a scorned woman, disdainfully pronouncing the entire name of a child- ie,.. “ Joseph William Thomas, you come here, right this instant!!” – as though by enunciating each syllable, she is expressing he is the child, and she is the more experienced; her skills in the V’ Nakam Rytu, make his role look inferior.
Last phrase: said callously, with condescension,.. her next punchline is also being set up, to come out of nowhere – which suits the S’kerrah; as an unpredictable, master of deception, and striking unexpectedly, like a force of nature. ‘eunuch’ is emphasized, first syllable 2 second count, slightly louder volume on the second syllable. For example: “ You’re a Traiiiiii- Tor!, aren’t you,..”
S’Kerrah: “ha,ha,ha,.. looks like someone already chopped off your head,… didn’t they, mate.”
[ Vocal directions: S’Kerrah laughs, as though breaking character, to be honestly amused, at her own joke –
Application: which unnerves, and makes the executioner feel like he’s being picked on.
The second phrase, a tone, that’s bright, and directly mocking,
Application: S’Kerrah says it to further assault his self esteem, so he won’t notice her sleight of hand, and be triggered into ignoring cues, that would give away the scheme.
Third phrase, S’Kerrah shows she doesn’t take him seriously, asking him to agree with her; like she was talking to a drunk person in a bar. An egging someone on kind of tone. For example: “ hey, .. you’re a difficult person, aren’t you,… aren’t you though?.”
Application: While she annoys the Headsman, her plan is going into effect; Dek-ram is getting in position, to time his arrival, the more the Headsman is reacting to S’kerrah left-handed taunts, the less likely he will notice the Deathshook in the crowd, taking positions ]
22 words. Subtotal 45 words
S’Kerrah: “ I guess ‘feminine wiles’*,.. won’t get me out of this one,…. will they Headsman.”
*definitions: wiles: devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.
“she didn’t employ any feminine wiles to capture his attention”
[ Vocal directions: First 3 words said in an imitation of an over the top seductive tone, – rest of the first phrase, said, as though she lowered her tone to be huskier, and more of a seductive cooing whisper. ‘Feminine‘ is enunciated for a 2 sec count duration, ‘wiles‘ is said with a sultry tone, that sounds like ads for strip joints, – acting sardonic, deliberately irreverent, like a brat, teasing trollish obese men whom she has no respect for.
Application: to allay suspicion that she is a calculating thief and a consummate actress – about to secure the Key of Wikkoth, right in broad daylight. Her incognito ruse of being a saucy wench*
, similar to Marvel’s Black Widow in the first Avengers film, when she manipulates men, by acting demure, to get them to confess information
* ( like Carmen in Bizet’s opera) ; sort of like ‘Goldie’ from Disney’s Duck Tales, when she would ‘dress up’ and play seductive between Uncle Scrooge and a competing paramour.
She pirouttes, and hits a pose that a model would, as she says the 2nd phrase, in an imitation of a demure damsel in distress,…
Last 3 words are said like a jeer*; enunciating ‘heads’ of headsman, as though bringing attention to her previous mockery – referencing her statement, about him being a ‘eunuch’ – as the double entendre** when she says ‘headsman’, implying irony, from her vocalized charge that he was not a red-blooded male.
*definitions: jeer: make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice.
“some of the younger men jeered at him”
** definitions: double entendre: a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent.
“he was unable to get through two consecutive sentences without a smutty double entendre”
Application: Putting him down, using psychological assault, at the outset. ]
S’kerrah: “ Let’s get on with it.”
( Vocal directions: said sort of like a whispered, mutter under her breath. Like an aside, not meant to be totally directed to the assistant, but more of a saying aloud of what she thinks about this scenario; sounding unconcerned, and like a bored heckler, speaking dead pan and annoyed, from boredom.
Application: S’Kerrah, sees Dek-Ram and the Deathshook are in position, and ready for phase 2 of the heist. She acts like she’s become bored* with her attempts at gallows humour – she plans to extract the key ring from the Wikkoth Key Keeper.
*( meant to get a rise from the Executioner, to distract him from her upcoming sleight of hand )
The Executioner, is like a giant bull, now seeing red, he is huffing an puffing, and gripping his axe so tightly, he doesn’t see what S’kerrah is up to**.
** she has planned in advance, like the Return of the Jedi, escape from the Sarlaac, scene, where Luke calmly goes to the plank, then steps off, and at the last second, catches the plank, does a super high back flip, catches his light saber, and turns the tables on Jabba. Except here, S’kerrah, carries the tone of cynical Han Solo, and the transcendental aplomb of Luke Sky walker, and his advanced gymnastics ]
19 words. 64 words subtotal
S’Kerrah: “ Hmmph,.. is that blade sharp enough? Looks sort of small.”
(Vocal Directions: First word is a derisive expression – like an arrogant person in a market, snorting in a judging tone, not only implying the food is of low quality and bad taste, but an affront to the senses; worthy of retort. The second phrase, sounds like a mocking woman, talking to man who doesn’t seem to know how fix his car – casting shade: “ is that pencil sharp enough” said as a jibe to the academic games opponent, who has a dull pencil; question his competency. Eliciting a sense of doubt, in inadequacy in the Headsman.
Third phrase: being in a rising tone ( like Jim Carrey, making a dynamic statement with comedic timing and juxtaposition of style) For example: “ Looks! sus-pic-ious.” followed by peevish tone, picking on the minutia of his flaws.
Application: S’Kerrah is acting like a heckler, using a disdainful tone, meant to demoralize everyone around her – she has a plan to escape, and is biding her time for dramatic impact. Confident in her martial arts skill; since she knows 17 ways to get out of this situation already. She is distracting the Headsman with facetious* gallows humor, to be in character to steal the key, without anyone suspecting, or even imagining she is capable of it.
*definitions: facetious: treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.
“a facetious remark”
S’Kerrah’s chief advantage is people underestimating her. )
S’kerrah: “ Will my hair be in the way? “
( vocal directions: Said, sounding as though she has her hand over her head reaching back to make a pony tail, and has tilted her head 45 degrees forward so that the sound is going down away from the listener at that angle. She is affecting the facetious attitude of being extra obsequious* and compliant, starting a to sound seductive, increasing with the following phrases. )
* definitions: obsequious: obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
“they were served by obsequious waiters”
S’kerrah: “My neck is muscular,..”
(Vocal directions: leaning forward, voice sounding like it’s directed toward the ground, as someone would sound while talking, then bending their head down to flip their long hair forward. Said as an affirmation: “ I’m very smart.” “ I’m pretty good at racing.” – with a tone, conveying :” You can’t handle me; I am way out of your league. ”
Applications: She sounds like a mature woman, talking about her body, to a drooling sycophant, or servant; placing herself on a pedestal, and presuming the Headsman is admiring her, but in the lowly role of her butler. She is setting of a punchline, at his expense, while using left-handed class shaming tactics. The more angry he gets, the more successful her ploy)
S’kerrah: “pretty,.. wide,..”
( Vocal Directions: She has leaned forward, her cleavage, increases, catching the eyes of the nearby key keeping Wikkoth, whom she is trying to hustle*. There is pause between ‘pretty’ and ‘wide’ – which she says in an expansive enunciation of 3 sec;
Application: The image of her cleavage, distracts the Wikkoth Key keeper, as she kicks up one heel, raising the leg, hooking the key belt with her boot. The key keeper interprets it as a flirtatious touch, drawing attention to her hips. She is trying to distract the assistants with overt feminine wiles, something that these goons, are easily sucked in to and go along with – but she is deft and tactful enough, to get the keys without them suspecting. ]
S’kerrah: “,..at the base,..”
[Vocal directions: She has lowered her tone to be a seductive, and slower, mesmerizing tone – a lingering, fore play tone, crescendos* after each word ‘at,.. ‘ ‘the,..’ ‘base,..’ , each with a half sec longer staccato. She has placed the deft heel of her left boot, into the belt of the assistant who is looking where her hands, have spread out, framing the area of her trapezius. Her head is tilted down at her chest, and her voice sounds like its pointing down.
*definitions: crescendo: gradually increasing in loudness.
“a short crescendo kettledrum roll”
Application: Seeming to the Wikkoth Key keeper, to be a double entendre – as she grabs the base of his crotch, in a sensual, but firm grip; timed, exactly, with when she dislodges the key from his belt. The Wikkoth Key Keeper is busy shunting all his attention to his crotch, and has no awareness remaining for her dexterous left heel, extracting the keys.
* definitions: hustle: a fraud or swindle. ]
S’kerrah: “,..it might be hard to chop off my head,..”
( vocal directions: said like a girl talking to her boy friend about something he is trying to stubbornly *do the wrong way, but for the sake of his fragile male-ego, is speaking circumspectly about, to ‘suggest’ and lead him to discover it for himself;
*demonstrating her intellect far exceeds these cro-magnons.
Observing the entire event as a spectator, without rancor, sees the bumbling efforts of these assistants – unlike the gravitas one would expect at the beginning of an execution. A form of social dominance, displaying she doesn’t feel threatened by them.
Application: She has managed to take the key, from the hook in her boot, and put it into her hip pouch. The skeleton key ring opens all the cells in the Talverna dungeon where her Deathshook troops are locked, and importantly, the key to the chamber where the ancient Grimoire of Mnemoth is – which is a secret to everyone but the Wikkoth Blasphemers, which operate with thin alliances,).
S’kerrah: “ , with such a ,…puny axe- ha, ha, ha,”
[ vocal directions: First phrase: with a girlish eagerness to deliver the punchline. Trailing off, to covering her mouth and suppress giggling for a second -before continuing to the next phrase.
Second phrase: ‘ puny’ saidalmost like a double entendre for his ‘eunuch’ state, A mean, whispered tone. Emphasis on ‘puny’; a disparaging comment. Each syllable enunciated, 2 sec duration.
Third phrase: ( laughter) a condescending mean girl laugh. (Like a villainess; cackling, with malevolence’**
*definitions: wiles: devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.
** definitions: malevolence:showing ill will; ill-disposed; malicious: “his eyes were glowing with malevolence”
Application: S’kerrah’s tone has shifted almost imperceptibly to open derision, now that she has the keys secured. In her relief, increasing the volume of her statements, sounding more matter-of-fact. Dispensing with the concentrated seductive distraction. She is ready to play cat and mouse*;
* her as the cat, allowing them to think they are in control.
The assistants look to one another, not sure how to react, speechless.
S’kerrah is experienced in ‘playing’ male lust, against their better judgment -gloating directly at them, without eliciting angry retorts, because their blood flow has been shunted to their groins; not their brains. Which she views as ‘puny.’]
Now that S’ kerrah has succeeded at this risky mission, she has a fierce look of vindication, – Beneath, the undercover act; a glimmer of retribution is planned.
Her eyes telegraphing, flashing momentarily, like a striking cobra, recoiling instantly, then out of reach.
She harbors the sentiments, about the two assistants, “when next I see you, I will slay you like a fattened hog.”
She is now switching gears to prepare to do gymnastics, and block the Headsman’s Axe handle with a handstand kick, if required. Dek-Ram however plays his part effectively, and the pardon is granted. S’kerrah takes the key, and at night, opens the secret Map chamber, and the commuted sentence, – a fine of 3,000 berast stones, is paid; S’kerrah and the Deathshook leave Talverna dungeon the morning after next. And she sets spies to watch the Elder Overseers that had positioned her to fail.
( continued in another Act)]
43 words:
Scene 5: 108 subtotal + Scene 3: 18 = 126 words
Scene Epilogue:
S’Kerrah: “ I’ll break his bones,..”
[Vocal directions: She begins from a normal speaking voice, and slowly progresses, to full crescendo at the end of the sentence. In this phrase, she sounds devoid of emotion. Saying it like “ I’m going to drink some water.
Application: Part of what is intimidating about S’kerrah is her calm when talking about things that would be shocking or otherwise merit more emotion. Her lack of affect ( at these times), is unsettling. ”
S’Kerrah: “,…one by one,…. until his screams,.. are replaced by gurgles. “
[Vocal directions: She sounds more intense, the first phrase is said with rising fury, through clenched teeth, said slowly and deliberately paced, to be menacing.
Second phrase, after a deep inhale, the following three words are said in a rising tone, ( like Al Pacino, abruptly increasing the volume; as though the increments of volume went from quiet, to louder than usual, implying his ‘Loud ‘ voice is twice as loud. Should inspire others to cower in fear.)
Third Phrase: the volume decrescendos* slightly, the tone is similar to the beginning of the sentence.
Application: S’Kerrah has been newly elected to the role of Virago-Mara, the leader of the V’Nakam Rytu – Deathshook assassins; none of her colleagues really know what to expect from her. She is gripping the shoulder of Dek-Ram, with a plier like grip, that would have caused any weaker individual to scream. Now that she has proven to herself, she is capable; she is making sure none of her colleagues ever forget.
S’Kerrah: “Then,.. Slaughter the Wikkoth priests,….
[Vocal directions: The volume increases abruptly, ( as before), for the first word. Then, in the Second phrase it Crescendos, even more volume than before; sounding like a cold hard challenge – a raise blade of steel.
Application: She is gripping Dek-ram’s lapels, with both hands, and she is pulling his face towards his; her face is turning red, with the rising blood, and her arms are cords of iron. S’Kerrah is jacked, and can lift Dek’ram off the ground, despite his height and weight. ]
S’Kerrah: “,.. like livestock,… and burn this podunk,..
*** to ash!” [ Vocal directions: first phrase drops to a medium volume, relative to the first speaking voice. The last word of the first phrase is said mean, callous, and with derision**
The second phrase, volume returns to the highest volume reached thus far, emphasis on ‘Burn!”, the last word said as though it were an ordinary word, that everyone knew, at the same intensity as the previous word ( this).
The last phrase is said furiously, like getting rid of the last bits of resentment, and rage for being put in this situation, since the beginning of the mission; as though expressing sheer livid fury, which she feels, and has not expressed, previously, about the Elder Overseers machinations****.
***definitions: podunk: a hypothetical small town regarded as typically dull or insignificant.
“she lived in a Podunk town notable for nothing except the girls’ school where she taught art”
** definitions: derision: contemptuous ridicule or mockery. “my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief”
*definitions:decrescendos: an indication to gradually decrease the volume of the music
****definitions: machination: noun a plot or scheme.
Application: Dek-Ram continues the subterfuge, escorting her to the cell. When night falls, she tip toes, toward the cell door and opens it. As S’kerrah walks past Dek-Ram* , rounding the corner of the external wall of the ground floor dungeon entrance, she turns to her compatriot and says this with narrow eyes, and a cutting whisper.
*who assists, in escorting her, and takes over, dismissing the assistant, she continues to pretend to be forced, till they are out of sight, ]
26 words:
Script I Excerpt Total:
150 words