True Crime for Kids
A new immersive true crime podcast for kids. Image supplied
UnTRUE is a hilarious new (un)true crime fiction podcast series that’s both a fun mystery for kids AND a ‘true crime’ comedy for grown-ups.
The first season of UnTRUE: The Underdogs – Catch a Cat Burglar is adapted from the children’s graphic novel ‘The Underdogs - Catch a Cat Burglar’ by Kate and Jol Temple and illustrated by Shiloh Gordon. So let the puns begin!
UnTRUE: The Underdogs – Catch a Cat Burglar is the first in a brand new (un)true crime fiction podcast series for families. Based on the kid-friendly crimes of the pup-ular Australian junior fiction series, “The Underdogs unpacks the baffling case of a cat burglar on the loose in Dogtown,” said co-author Jol Temple.
“LiSTNR have taken our graphic novel series and built an immersive world where families are right in the middle of Dogtown as the action unfolds. UnTRUE is pioneering the kids’ podcast genre in Australia using audio drama techniques and spatial sound design that provides families with an enhanced listening experience as they work together to solve the case.”
Over eight episodes, kids and parents will be drawn into the gripping and hilarious mystery, as investigated by true crime dogcaster, Trudie Poodle, and the second-best detective agency in Dogtown – The Underdogs. Each week Trudie and The Underdogs will sniff out clues as they come closer and closer to unmasking the felonious feline behind Dogtown’s unsolved crimes. Listeners will love guessing who the Cat Burglar is, not to mention the rollicking puns and colourful characters.
Parents will recognise some of the voices in the cast, including The Chaser’s Chris Taylor who voices Detective Barkley and fellow Chaser Andrew Hansen who voices four characters, and Zehra Naqvi from the Octonauts who voices Dr Spots and Rita Ringus.
Lorna Clarkson, Head of LiSTNR Parenting and Kids’ Entertainment, says the new (un)true crime fiction podcast series is genre-defining.
“Audio drama is the perfect screen-free family entertainment in the home or car. While there are true crime podcasts for adults and mystery podcasts for kids, this is the first ever (un)true crime podcast that the whole family can enjoy together,” Clarkson says.
In a flagship companion to the podcast, LiSTNR has re-created Dogtown within Roblox, the global platform that brings people together through play.
“We know kids love Roblox and thought it would be a new and exciting way for fans to explore Dogtown a little more. With familiar locations and characters, players can help the Underdogs find gems hidden by the Cat Burglar and be awarded a virtual Underdogs badge themselves,” LiSTNR’s Social Media Strategist Digital, Ewan Roxborough says.
“It is our first foray into Roblox and was tremendously fun to create, collaborating with the show's writers, designers, voice actors and audio imagers to bring it to life.”
UnTRUE has been produced using binaural recording and audio design techniques, creating a listening experience that comes to life on headphones, providing listeners with a truly immersive storytelling experience.
Listen to UnTrue: an (un)true crime podcast for kids or check out the episodes above.
On LiSTNR - search ‘UnTRUE: The Underdogs’ then favourite, follow or subscribe.
CREDITS:
Writers: Kate and Jol Temple
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson
Series Producer: Holly Mitchell
Audio Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth
Original Music: Matt Nikolic
Cast
Stephanie John as Trudie Poodle
Chris Taylor (The Chaser) as Detective Barkley
Cecelia Ramsdale as Fang and Kitty DeClaw
Michael Campbell as Carl
Zehra Naqvi (Octonauts) as Dr Spots and Rita Ringus
Andrew Hansen (The Chaser) as Sergeant Woofington, Perez Howlton, Max Pelicano and Mr Whiskers
Kate Temple (Author) as Female Top Dog
Joel Temple (Author) as Male Top Dog
Lorna Clarkson as Mrs MacTavish
