What is Universe25?
From the creators of Mercury Theatre Podcast, comes Universe25.
In the year 3051, we meet lifelong friends who find a curious artifact from their past. With history that was meant to be buried by the government, the relic explains the founding of their civilization, and it changes their world forever. Friends Ares, Nicolas, and Leona reintroduce traditions from the past, and eventually break the status quo.
This drama is fantastical, and gets darker as season one progresses.
Why Are We Asking For Money?
Every audio drama episode requires at least a hundred hours of production:
- Season One has already been drafted, and is completely original in content.
- All the actors spend time in their cramped closets, recording their hearts out. Sometimes having to fend off their neighbors who think they're being attacked because they heard screaming.
- After recording, the show goes into post-production. Adding sound effects, music, and editing out all the unintended profanities when a line was misspoken. This is the process that takes so very long.
- Marketing is an incredibly difficult and tedious task. We have already begun this process, but it is constant.
- Sound effects, and music are elements most people don't suspect cost money, but they do. And, the cost does add up.
What do We Expect?
Quality Audio Dramas are currently far and few between. Especially audio dramas that touch some more finicky topics, such as politics and religion. Universe25 will consider the pros and cons of what we consider to be normal today, or what we perceive to be ideal. Universe25 is a project that was intended to be an episode of Mercury Theatre Podcast, but there were far too many elements to be a single 30 minute production.
- Mercury Theatre Podcast has a year of production. 12 episodes. Quality has made leaps and bounds from the first episode, that now boasts immersive elements, making for exciting story-telling (listen to the episode Volstead Action for the closest comparison for quality and content).
- The target audience will be for ages 17 to 40. Universe25 will include profanity, and material that may not be suitable for young children.
- Podcasts are free to listen to, and this one will be no different: Universe25 will be available on pretty much every podcast platform (like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, etc).
- We intend to publish the first season by the Autumn of 2022.
What are We Worried About?
Audio dramas are a delightful way to get lost in a story, without having to sit in front of the TV. But, what is required to get it from a concept, to reality?
- Time is the biggest issue with a season of audio drama production. From writing, coordinating record times, and post-production. Universe25 Season One will take about 1,000 hours in total production time.
- Convincing talent without financial compensation is a great feats that has been accomplished in Mercury Theatre Podcast. All talent deserves to be paid.
- Marketing is a very time-consuming process that hasn't even been calculated into the 1,000 hours. Without getting the word out, the production will be lost into the void of podcasts.
Other Ways You Can Help
Not everyone can financially support the show- and that's okay! If you aren't able to support us with money, words of encouragement and spreading the word about the show is a huge support.
- Follow us on social media: Universe25 on Twitter and Instagram are both live.
- Tell others about the show!
- Subscribe to the show when it is available for download.
