A BANGOR teenager has launched the fourth instalment of an audio drama, developed with people from all over the world.
Seventeen year-old Luke Dowling, a student at the Bangor campus of SERC, has been working on the idea of producing an audiobook since he was 14, and after two attempts, finally produced ‘Paradox: Tales from Hell’.
The teenager explained: “I used a website called Casting Call Club and put my idea up as a project. About 700 people from across the world applied to take part and after hosting auditions for the different roles – yes, 700 – we have ended up with a 70-strong team – people from New Zealand, Tokyo, United States and Australia – involved in the production. Our production meetings are at 8pm or 5am to accommodate time differences.
“I wrote the audiobook and so far, we have released four episodes on YouTube with visual illustrations [the latest on November 28] with a projected completion date, for the first season of May 1st, 2026.
“Once episode eight completes, Paradox will be released on all major audio platforms, ie, Audible and Spotify.”
Paradox is opening doors for Luke: “I was invited to Glasgow Anime and Gaming Con to present a panel on Independent Production and Getting Started in Voice Acting, and we premiered episode two in front of a live audience in Belfast Anime and Gaming Con. It is amazing to have this experience and to meet and network with the people from the industry.”
Luke progressed to SERC following his GCSEs at Bangor Grammar School. He said: “I initially planned to do A-Levels but changed my mind when I read about the Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT at SERC. I am now in my second year.
“It is great course, and the camaraderie in class is amazing – so different from school.
“I am thinking about progressing into a Performing Arts course to develop my acting and voice acting skills. I love computers, music, prop-making, comic con – I just love being creative. I was able to communicate my vision for the illustrations for Paradox through 3D models.
“My ambition is to work in the entertainment industry – live action or animation – and what I am doing now is taking me into that field.
“Qualifications are important, but in the entertainment industry, your calling card is experience and I am making that work for me now, through research, learning and making connections. It is like my own work placement. I have a portfolio to show already.”
