British accent a problem in LA?

Question

I am moving to LA to further my career as an actor (Please Note: I am not one of these who is going there to become a 'star' after only a few years or summat, I am serious). I am a little worried that my British accent will be a problem from an industry point of view. Do you think that will hold me back at all?

P.S I am exteamly quick at picking up accents to I will be able to audition for 'American' rolls but why I had the problem was because I saw a show on E! where there were actors training and one of them was English (she could do a really convincing USA accent) but they still told her to loose it in her daily life too. I was wondering weather that was a general entertainment industry thing or just that agencies preference?

Answer 1

No!
Cause, you have an extra something, other people can't bring to the table!

Look at Hugh Grant!

Answer 2

that won't stop you at all! LIke Hugh Grant he has an accent. Anyways women find it cute so don't worry they'll hire you. Like you I can also pick up accents quick too. I do a good British accent not one of the bads one and I got chosen for a play because of that so don't worry if I can do it you can do it. Good luck see you maybe on the big screen.

Answer 3

I can tell you that your accent will certainly be a plus when it comes to the ladies. They LOVE English accents here in L.A.. In terms of acting, there's the good and the bad. The good is that Americans in general are automatically impressed by British accents. It gives an air of intelligence and refinement, even if you have neither. The bad part is, unless you can fake an American accent, your choice of roles will be limited to the "English guy" parts.

Even Eddie Izzard is learning (albiet very slowly) how to do a believable American accent.

Answer 4

It will limit you just like height, hair color (and amount), age, etc. Hollywood is very discriminating about what image they want for a role.

It may give you some opportunity for voice work and roles seeking a british accent. In a few cases, if you are outstanding, you might convince the director to accept your accent, but that is NOT likely to happen (but not impossible).

Answer 5

I don't think it will. I think it could really be an asset in certain situations.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you may THINK you can pull off a convincing American accent, but you may not be as good as you think (just like Americans who butcher the British accent.) I would try marketing yourself "as-is" with your native accent as one of your selling points.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 6

You could be stereotyped for certain roles. It might be to your benefit to get a voice/diction coach to teach you "American" English and accents. We have many different accents here depending where one lives. Good luck!

Answer 7

To be quite honest with you I wouldn't recommend Los Angeles to anyone, however I can see the shrewdness in the move. Personally, I consider an English accent one of the fine things in life.

Answer 8

it shouldnt be a problem at all. there are plenty of roles in movies and plays that are much better with an english accent. and if you can pull off an american accent well then you shouldnt have any problem

Answer 9

There are British actors that did well in Hollywood.... I whink it is how you act that matters and acting is not about race and accent. It is how you act your heart out..

Answer 10

No it gives you an advantage over others who would normally not have such an edge within the industry.