Quote: (08-29-2017 10:43 PM)The Catalyst Wrote:
I'm auditioning for a role which requires an American accent, and I have about a couple months to try to get my accent up to scratch. I asked my agency for the best tips to practise the accent and they just said "look online/on youtube".
I'm hoping an RVF bro has done something similar or knows good accent training resources.
The forum has a thread on Accent Reduction. I realize you're a native English speaker, but many of the issues are the same. Here's my post with general tips:
thread-32768...pid1249855
If I were you, I'd pick up a copy of
Accents and Dialogues for Stage and Screen. It's an excellent resource (text description and DVDs) for various accents of English (native and non-native). You might be able to buy just the chapter you're interested in. Also, look at the chapter for Australian English (closest to your native accent of New Zealand English), since that will be a point of contrast.
I wouldn't put a lot of stock in the 'info' you'll find on dialects in YouTube, especially when they're imitating an accent that isn't theirs natively and they use impressionistic terms like 'harsher' or 'lighter'. There's a science to this. If you're willing to spend some money, there's a dialect coach in NYC who is excellent. PM for details.
I'll take this opportunity to mention that I auditioned for an American role in a commercial a couple of years ago. You had to ring a doorbell and say 'Mrs Hernandez?' It was down to two of us. They chose the Swede. Too bad. Would have paid my rent for a few months.
