VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[jrodriguez315]

Those of you from Britain (Banksey?). I'd be interested in your thoughts on this although it takes a bit of patience since the darn thing is broken into 28 parts.,

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-speak-with-a-british-accent-225857/
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Joe Rodriguez, Bilingual Voice Actor | The Voiceover Thespian Blog

[Mike Cooper]

I have three words for you, and unfortunately they're "Dick van Dyke".

She certainly has a lot to say for herself, but none of it sounds like anyone I've ever heard anywhere on this island, sorry. Which is a shame, because she's trying really hard.

The problem with doing "a British accent" is that there isn't one. For a country this size, we have an astonishing breadth of accent and - equally important, dialect: even within England itself, someone from Manchester sounds utterly different to someone from Birmingham. Someone from London sounds totally foreign compared to someone from Newcastle, and so on. Then again, many would argue that it's the "Geordie" who sounds like the foreigner…

An example: I grew up in the West Midlands, where dialect is as strong as the accent that comes with it. "How are you doing?", when addressed to a friend, comes out broadly as: "Owm yer gooin arr bab?" The latter is indisputably British – in fact it can probably trace itself back to the Anglo Saxons much better than "I say, good fellow, could you spare the time?" – but very few people would understand me. And the interesting thing is that these accents and dialects are enjoying something of a resurgence, rather than dying out in the multimedia world as was predicted.

The closest thing you're going to get to a generic "British accent" is "RP" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Received_pronunciation), and that's generally thought of as very colonial/public school (in the British sense of "public school") and dated in the UK. Even the BBC World Service doesn't favour it anymore (listen to the BBC news bulletin on my website and you might be surprised!) Overseas people will still recognise RP as "British", but it really depends on your market, and it's unlikely to make you sound cool or "street" (innit?)

Then again, if your market can't tell the difference then does it really matter? After all, people have been getting away with "pseudo-accents" for years that no one would recognise as completely correct (viz Daphne and - more so - her relatives, in Frasier). If no one knows, shut up and keep talking…

If you're really interested in how British people speak, take a look at this excellent page:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices/recordings/index.shtml

It's the language map from the BBC's Voices project. You could spend hours, but just a few minutes spent digging around should be enough to convince you!

If you want to speak RP then there are many language coaches, books and so on that will teach it – and at least it's an accepted form of speech which doesn't vary. But if you want to speak with a "British accent", then the bottom line is that you're going to have to pick one (from dozens) and work on it to get it sounding authentic!
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MIKE COOPER VOICEOVER |
The guy next door. Only better. And British.
web: www.MikeCooperVoiceover.com
twitter: www.twitter.com/MikeCooper

[Philip Banks]

I lost the will to live.

Forgive me saying this, I'll say it only once using my best British vernacular.

Actors and Voices in the USA spend far too much time and money on Coaches who for the most part make a living talking total bollocks! Take responsibility for your own career development, learn the best way you can and stop listening to garbage.

Ever wondered why I give my knowledge away? Because it's worthless to the majority.

Now - How to play the flute

Blow in one end and move your fingers up and down the keys on the outside.

[Moe Egan]

Brilliant Banksey! I shall go and purchase a flute today. I'm sure I will be the next Ian Anderson...or Ron Burgundy. Great Odin's raven!
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Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
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[roger]

Mr. Banks (Maestro),
How much do I owe you for the music lesson. I've already sent in my application for the New York Philharmonic and am looking forward to my new career as first chair flautist or do you need to do a demo for me.
Thanks and you make it all so simple, as well.
-roger
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Roger Tremaine
www.MyFavoriteVoice.com
http://rogertremaine.voices.com/
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. AESOP (The Lion and the Mouse)

[glittlefield]

I'm of the mindset that accents can't be so much taught as observed and absorbed.

About that flute thing. Does it matter which end you blow into? I've sent my demo to the New York Philharmonic as well and told them I'd play for 10% of whatever Roger bid.
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Greg Littlefield
VO-BB Member #59

[Philip Banks]

NO LOWBALLING!! For hot tips and a rate card check out flute123.com

[Moe Egan]

LOL

Oh my head that made me laugh.
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Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
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[bobsouer]

Me too, Moe!
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[todd ellis]

i am NO LOWBALLER, sir!


... and i'll do it for 10% of greg's 10%
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Deirdre]

Americans who claim to do a "Cockney" accent make me want to shriek.

Dick Van Dyke, indeed!

By the way, I know all 3 British accents.
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DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[Moe Egan]

1. Monty Python
2. Harry Potter
3. Dick Van Dyke


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Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
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[paddyo]

[Philip Banks]

She's going to invent the seed drill?

[Moe Egan]

Ian Anderson played the flute as part of Tull...duh! (or...am I missing some snappy bi-continental wry ribbing from Paddy and Pip?)
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Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~