What is a DarkTree exactly?
This is the first Blog of the site, it’s backstory, so be gentle, everyone.
DarkTreeAudio originally started out as a way for to practice and release my writings. At the time, I self-narrated, and I was terrible at it. Sure enough though, I was committed to improving, as both a writer and a voice actor, even at the cost of my cringe muscle when having to listen back to the recordings before upload.
My cringe career officially started when I created the channel under the DarkTreeAudio, retrofitting an old ASMR channel I had started and abandoned called TheWelcomingWhisper (I know, I am great with names).
Over the course of around 40 or so stories, I grew to despise my voice, knowing that these stories could do so much better if it weren’t performed by yours truly, but by someone actually talented. I needed help, and I didn’t want to do it alone anymore.
I made an account on the ever-popular ‘CastingCallClub’ (shortened to CCC), praying that someone (or anyone) would throw me some sympathy submissions.
They did.
Many talented people did.
That was in 2017.
Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with some amazing actors, composers, artists and writers all across the planet since I started, and with each casting call, and each project, I’ve recognised within myself a passion for working with others, with leading, with developing ideas and riffing with actors and musicians, sound and video editors, the whole team.
The scope of DarkTreeAudio has diverted from just being a writing release, instead, morphing and evolving, twisting upwards.
DarkTreeAudio has now become the shape of an actual Nonprofit Organisation. It’s not international or anything, its still based in the UK, but now it has a more worldwide reach.
The drive to write is still there, same with producing podcasts (which I still do), but the purpose of them now isn’t just to develop my skills in those areas, but now to support and help the development of those within the voice acting and podcasting creating communities, in the same generous way that they’ve helped with my growth.
There are many talent members of this incredible community that started in the same place I did, or similar. Who wanted to tell stories, either their own or of others, yet don’t want to do it alone. They might also want help in building their skills, or their confidence, or their resumes.
This has already started.
Early in 2023, I launched the DEMO-DAYS project, which aimed to give voice actors in-need of a demo-reel the chance to collaborate with a writer/sound editor (having developed these skills to a pretty decent level I would say) and get their demos made.
So far, I’ve helped 50+ voice actors create their first demo-reels. From Animation-reels to commercial-reels or narration-reels. Its been a blast so far, and in 2025, I aim to make it a monthly part of the Organisation.
To all those who want a future in the industry – from voice acting to writing to sound design to composing music – I want to give all you talent souls as many opportunities for auditioning, recording and collaborating in and on projects as possible – no matter the experience level.
I want you to succeed, and to do that, you need roles. DarkTreeAudio aims to find and to create you those roles, to build your skills and to make you the best that you can be.
I am going do this through what I refer to as ‘Segments’, but that is for a different Blog.
As of October 2024, I am in a position to do some real good.
To pursue my passions as a creative, as well as someone who enjoys helping others, through telling strange and unique stories with unique and enthusiastic talents.
As 2024 closes and 2025 begins, I know that what is coming down the line is something that a lot of people are going to be excited by.
Until then though….
