Contact: Kim Kent, 815-259-0137, kim@heirloomaudio.com, press@heirloomaudio.com
THOMSON, Ill., Nov. 2, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- A pair of star-filled audio dramas that are putting God back into history for kids of all ages have been nominated for 10 Voice Arts Awards – including two nominations for Outstanding Production.
Beric the Briton and The Dragon and The Raven – both produced by Heirloom Audio and based on real events in history – were given the nod for the awards, which are similar to the Academy Awards and honor the best productions and talent in the audio industry. The 2016 winners will be recognized Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Voice Arts Awards Gala at Warner Brothers Studios.
Beric the Briton was nominated for four awards while The Dragon and The Raven was nominated for six. Each received a nomination for Outstanding Production in the Audiobook category.
Heirloom Audio was founded by Bill Heid with the goal of giving children wholesome, Christ-centered entertainment that not only engages the mind but also educates and inspires. The company's CDs are based on G.A. Henty historical novels and feature first-rate actors and actresses, along with original musical scores and sound effects, detailing the stories of Christian heroes from history. Each drama features two CDs and spans more than two hours. Free curriculum also is available for each drama.
The company has released a total of six dramas.
"History in our culture has been sterilized and secularized, with the faith of great men and women completely removed from textbooks," Heid said. "These projects are all about putting Christ back into history in a meaningful and exciting way."
It is the second year in a row that Heirloom Audio received 10 Voice Arts Awards nominations. The company won five awards in 2015.
Disney and Pixar also are among this year's nominees.
Beric the Briton is set in the first century A.D. and follows Beric and his best friend Bodouc as they are captured by the Romans, trained as gladiators, and placed in the service of Emperor Nero. The story takes a turn when Beric and Bodouc, who are pagan, learn of the mysterious "Christus." It stars Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity, Braveheart), Tom Baker (Dr. Who), Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle's War), Cathy Sara (Downton Abbey) and John Ryhs-Davies (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones).
The Dragon and the Raven tells the story of how King Alfred the Great (849-899) led an army that beat the barbaric Vikings, saved the English lands and brought the country back to God. It stars Helen George (Call the Midwife), John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones), Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who, The Hobbit) and John Bell (The Hobbit).
Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan, King Lear) narrates both stories.
Heirloom Audio previously released Under Drake's Flag, In Freedom's Cause, With Lee In Virginia and The Cat Of Bubastes.
Following is a complete list of Heirloom Audio's 2016 nominations:
- Outstanding Production – Audiobook, Best Producer: Beric The Briton (executive producer: Bill Heid)
- Outstanding Production – Audiobook, Best Producer: The Dragon and The Raven (executive producer: Bill Heid)
- Outstanding Spoken Word or Storytelling: Beric The Briton (starring Brian Blessed, Brian Cox, Tom Baker, Honeysuckle Weeks, Cathy Sara, John Rhys-Davies and a full cast)
- Outstanding Spoken Word or Storytelling: The Dragon and The Raven (starring Brian Blessed, John Rhys-Davies, Helen George, Sylvester McCoy, John Bell, Katherine Kellgren and a full cast)
- Audiobook Narration – History, Best Narrator: The Dragon and The Raven (narrator: Brian Blessed)
- Audiobook Narration – Inspirational/Faith-Based Fiction, Best Narrator: The Dragon and The Raven (narrator: Brian Blessed)
- Outstanding Casting – Audiobook, Best Casting: Beric The Briton (casting director: Philip Glassborow)
- Outstanding Casting – Audiobook, Best Casting: The Dragon and The Raven (casting director: Philip Glassborow)
- Audio Engineering – Audiobook, Best Audio Engineer: Beric The Briton (audio engineer: Todd Busteed)
- Audio Engineering – Audiobook, Best Audio Engineer: The Dragon and The Raven (audio engineer: Rob Jorgensen)
For more information, visit HeirloomAudio.com.
