What are basic guidelines to follow? Any help appreciated, I'm having a lot of trouble sounding realistic! Thanks!
2006-11-08 11:56:09 · 8 answers · asked by spongegirl787 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
There are an amazing set of tapes and books by Michael Stern on all accents, which I cannot recommend highly enough!
There are some basic differences between American and British accents that you can use to make yourself sound more "authentic":
--A slightly faster speaking rate
--More pitch variation
--If you are going for a sort of BBC standard accent, be certain to enunciate all the appropriate letters in the words. US citizens tend to drop the final G in many words and make a very short and indistinct final T -- get those sounds in there.
--Know, too, that there are different pronunciations of some words, such as jaguar, tapdance, and lieutenant
--There are also several words that regional American accents don't distinguish as much as British accents do, including forest, duke, and wash.
Best of luck!
2006-11-08 14:45:23 · answer #1 · answered by blueowlboy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See if your library offers dialect tapes. Samuel French also has tapes to help with various accents- you can order from their website.
Otherwise, clarify what specific type of British sound your director wants and ask for a movie recommendation. Be mindful of the vowel sounds as you listen to it. Mark the same vowel changes in your script. Use a tape recorder to monitor your progress as you rehearse at home.
2006-11-08 20:19:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What particular accent do you mean? I'm from the UK and there are many different types.
Do you mean well spoken (ie. Queen's English), Cockney, Yorkshire, Newcastle, West Country etc.
I suppose the easiest way would be to get a tape of the particular accent you are trying to emulate and practise.
2006-11-08 20:06:26 · answer #3 · answered by Tigger girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tell you everything I know about the British accent but my explanations might be hard to understand so I'll just tell you how I mastered it: watch a lot of Harry Potter! Seriously, it worked!! (I hope you like those movies...)
2006-11-09 00:47:14 · answer #4 · answered by katherinejean66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To imitate Ronald Colman, a British actor who starred in Hollywood movies of the 40's, one must pinch the bridge of one's nose, and say, "Ah, Benita." (What, it didnt work? So sorry (soddy).)
2006-11-08 21:50:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't brush your teeth for about 10 years.
2006-11-12 19:15:06 · answer #6 · answered by yahoooo reject 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply watch Monty Python and imitate what you hear.
2006-11-08 20:59:47 · answer #7 · answered by S Baldrick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. read "principles and styles of acting" pgs. 91 - 96.
2. watch harry potter! its good because you canhear how its supposed to sound. (no kidding.)
2006-11-12 18:00:47 · answer #8 · answered by Veritesirum 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋