Any tips??
2007-03-03 06:12:00 · 9 answers · asked by Kal 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
I've done many accents and I've done my fair share of southern. Could you tell us who your character is and what state they are from? That would help me give better advice. Actually, I'll just get down to basics. If you are a wealthy, gentrified politician or plantation owner you are going to have a higher southern accent than say the role of a poor, slave driver. There are a few characters I would recommend that might be of help to you. Gone with the wind has several accents that you might connect with in terms of character as there are so many different representations of class.
Listen to 'Assassins', the role of John Wilkes Booth (the recording that was made first, not the new one).
The musical '1776' was made into a movie, the role of Edward Rutledge is a very important character to pay attention to.
It really does depend on your class.....you don't want a twangy nasally accent for a wealthy land owner (also that's more Texan).
I hope this makes sense to you. Think class of character and their status and also the state. They had much more elegantly drawn accents (think Georgia). Hope this helps.
2007-03-03 07:11:44 · answer #1 · answered by Yogini 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tend to pick up accents and mimic those around me... I normally have a very "vanilla" southern california -accent (which is considered non-accented by many) -- but if I'm hanging out with friends who have any sort of accent... I tend to pick up nuances of those and hang onto 'em for a bit. There've been times when I've spoken with a southern drawl... a texas twang... a little bit of a new orleans cajun accent... and even a canadian lag.
2016-03-28 22:23:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe some videos/tapes with people speaking in southern accent will help. Listen, try to distinguish the tone, and practice. As people say, practice makes perfect.
2007-03-03 06:22:39 · answer #3 · answered by ProfPilot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing you have to do is slow down. When we visit Maine I get accused of delibertely speaking slowly. To my ears, the Mainiacs speak so fast I can't keep up. Also you'll find more tonalities in Southern speech. Rent Forest Gumpf and listen to his mother and others. The Ya Ya girls is another.
I worked with one actor and ended up using a metronome to slow him down.
2007-03-03 07:03:26 · answer #4 · answered by Terry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch Con Air and pick up on Nicolas Cage's accent.
2007-03-03 06:21:05 · answer #5 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tip: most states in the south, including Louisiana, actually don't have southern accents. So just forget about the "southern drawl" it annoys people who live in the South. =)
2007-03-03 06:17:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I swear, visiting for a while anywhere south of kentucky in the eastern US, you will pick it up, without even realizing it, because that is how everyone talks there. If at all possible, visit for a day or two. YOu will pick it up in no time.
2007-03-03 06:46:02 · answer #7 · answered by panic_l0ve 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try saying this.
"It's soh haht mahma, Ai shood luv a gla-es of lumonade". That is how they talk. Vera sofht. Also from watching old episodes of Quantum Leap, set in the South, the derogatory name for the term 'Negro is pronounced as ending in 'ra'. I am not wishing to cause offence to anyone, so please don't take any, I am trying to assist someone.
2007-03-03 07:18:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
rent the movie"Queen" and watch it till you gat it
2007-03-03 08:03:31 · answer #9 · answered by skye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋