This project is now complete! All audio files can be found on our catalog page: http://librivox.org/black-beauty-dramatic-reading-by-anna-sewell/
Black Beauty is a fictional autobiographical memoir told by a horse, who recounts many tales, both of cruelty and kindness. The title page of the first edition states that it was "Translated from the Original Equine by Anna Sewell." After its publication in 1877, Sewell lived just long enough to see her first and only novel become an immediate bestseller, as well as it encouraging the better treatment of many cruelly-treated animals.
Although initially intended for people who work with horses, it soon became a children's classic. While outwardly teaching animal welfare, the novel also contains allegorical lessons about how to treat people with kindness, sympathy and respect. The story is narrated in the first person and each short chapter relates an incident in Black Beauty's life, with Sewell's detailed observations and extensive descriptions of horse behaviour lending the novel a good deal of verisimilitude. (Cori Samuel, Wikipedia, and Mary Kay)
- Is there a deadline?
We ask that you submit your recorded sections within 1-2 months of placing your claim. Please note that to be fair to the readers who have completed their sections in a timely way, if you haven't submitted your recording(s) after two months, your sections will automatically be re-opened for other readers to claim, unless you post in this thread to request an extension. Extensions will be granted at the discretion of the Book Coordinator. If you cannot do your section, for whatever reason, just let me know and it'll go back to the pool. There's no shame in this; we're all volunteers and things happen.Please do not sign up for more sections than you can complete within the two month deadline. - How to claim a part, and "how it all works" here
To find a section to record, simply look at point 5. below at the sections. All the ones without names beside them are "up for grabs." Click "Post reply" at the top left of the screen and tell us which section you would like to read (include the section number from the left-most column in the reader list, please). Read points 6. to 8. below for what to do before, during and after your recording. - New to recording?
Please read our Newbie Guide to Recording! - Where do I find the text? Source text (please only read from this text!): http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/271
- Please claim roles (the numbers in the first column below)! Please note: All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. When you submit your recording, you will be placing your recording in the public domain as well.
If this is your first recording, please let me know under which name or pseudonym you'd like to appear in the LibriVox catalogue. We can also link to a personal website/blog.
Please don't download or listen to files belonging to projects in process (unless you are the BC or PL). Our servers are not set up to handle the greater volume of traffic. Please wait until the project has been completed. Thanks!
Magic Window:
BC Admin - BEFORE recording: Please check the Recording Notes: http://librivox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6427#6430
Set your recording software to:
Channels: 1 (Mono)
Bit Rate: 128 kbps
Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
Submit one file per act. - Make sure you add this to the beginning of your recording:
[Role], read by [your name].
If you are reading stage directions, please include for each file:At the beginning: Act [#] of Anna Sewell , by Black Beauty . This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Librivox dot org.
At the end: End of Act [#].
Please remember to check this thread frequently for updates! - AFTER recording
Save files as 128 kbps MP3
blackbeauty_[role]_[#].mp3 (all lower-case) where ## is the act number.
Transfer of files (completed recordings) Please always post in this forum thread when you've sent a file. Also, post the length of the recording (file duration: mm:ss) together with the link.- Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader: https://librivox.org/login/uploader
(If you have trouble reading the image above, please message an admin) - You'll need to select the MC, which for this project is: m8b1
- When your upload is complete, you will receive a link - please post it in this thread.
- If this doesn't work, or you have questions, please check our How To Send Your Recording wiki page.
(For now, crtl+F and type in the chapter number you wish to see. I will separate the chapters into separate documents as soon as I can.)
Adele de Pignerolles has agreed to help me with some of the editing.
Sweetpea has agreed to DPLing.
Skythrock has agreed to take on the primary role as Black Beauty, Kristingj has agreed to take on Polly Barker and the roles that go along with her.
The casting will be (for now) Gender Neutral, except where listed as male. As there are so many roles (especially roles that are two or three short lines, a lot of quadruple casting has been done, as listed below.
Only two more "voice packages" to go!
Reader 1 will be voicing: Mr. Barry / Captain Langley / Larry / Mr. Bushby / Gentleman / First Driver / Big Man / Mr. Clay / First Gentleman
Reader 2 will be voicing: Justice / Nicholas Skinnier / Alfred Smirk / Carter / First Young Man / Man / Footman
Both roles are all male characters, but the voices are for (preferably a middle to old-sounding, but not picky) neutral voice.
The rest of the open sections are for editing only.
Any questions?
Please post below - Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader: https://librivox.org/login/uploader
- Is there a deadline?
