VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

mcm · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:09 am Post subject:

After reading this thread I got to wondering about Mel Gibson's accent history, and found some interesting tidbits:

"Despite a thick Australian accent in some of his earlier films, actor Mel Gibson was born in Peeksill, NY, to Irish Catholic parents [in 1956]. One of eleven children, Gibson didn't set foot in Australia until 1968, and only developed an Aussie accent after his classmates teased him for his American tongue. Mel Gibson's looks have certainly helped him develop a largely female following similar to the equally rugged Harrison Ford, but since his 1976 screen debut in Summer City, Gibson has been recognized as a critical as well as physiological success." [from Answers.com]

and a bit from The Age:

Mel Gibson slayed for Scottish accent

Aussie raised actor Mel Gibson's Scottish accent in the blockbuster movie Braveheart has been voted the second worst in cinema history.

A poll carried out by film memorabilia website AsWornIn.com shows American born French actor Christopher Lambert's Scots accent in the film Highlander has been voted the worst.

Several respondents had to have their votes discounted after nominating Bond actor Sean Connery, who actually is a Scot.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:51 am Post subject:

Well I say flawless, I mean truly flawless. I'm a big fan of House MD and I've never heard a slip from him. Never. Minnie Driver, Naomi Watts, Christian Bale, and most of the others named have the slightest hint of accent appear at times. yeah, Guy Pierce and Russel Crowe are very good, as is Kate Beckinsale (but the extreme hotness helps there). Believe it or not, Johnny Lee Miller from the TV show Eli Stone is quite good too.

Don't know about Peter Ustinov or the Battlestar actor since I've not seen enough of their work.

But truly flawless-holy-crap-he's-English? Hugh Laurie.
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imaginator · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:00 pm Post subject:

Deirdre · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject:

1st episode of House had a slip in it.

But I loves me some Hugh Laurie. That's why we started looking at House in the first place, we already loved the guy fromm Blackadder and especially the Wooster and Jeeves stories.
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melissa eX · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

Another huge House fan here.

It's not just the accent that's flawless, it's the attitude as well. Or is the accent flawless because the attitude's dead on?

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject:

I think you've hit on part of it, Melissa. He seems to be very comfortable in the accent. Anyone can fake a foreign accent, but making it their own for that brief snapshot in time is the key to believability.

So sayeth the guy who doesn't even try accents. Smile

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mcm · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

I've read that Laurie finds maintenance of the American accent to be very stressful.

He's an amazing actor. This is one of my favorite scenes in television history, and he hardly said a word:

Craig · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject:

His portrayal of Stewart Little's Dad reminded me so much of Herbert Anderson (Henry Mitchell in Dennis the Menace) that it took me a long time to realize the same guy was House.

Excellent!

Craig
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James Lorenz · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject:

As I said, it was merely a very first attempt. Nothing I would ever consider using anywhere. Good for a laff!
And I love the link Philip...hilarious even if a bit like holding a mirror to myself.

and I'd like to add Damien Lewis to the list. He played Maj. Winters in Band of Brothers. Flawless American accent.
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RayAnime · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject:

I am want go to Scotchland for eat hag ass. Wer U live in Afirca?

. . . . . . . .

Okay enough foolishness, back to the super serious business of perfecting chipmunk voices and dog barks.

So I agree with the others, definitely needs work, but don't be discouraged! It just takes practice. If you're interested in finding out about "a whole buncha accents," one series I really like is The Dialect Resource by Gillian Lane-Plescia. In addition to pronunciation information, it features native-speakers from all different areas just talking at length about one thing or another in their native dialects--Liverpool, Lancashire, Manchester, Yorkshire, Geordie, Birmingham/Staffordshire, Wolverhampton, etc, etc. There are also discs for various parts of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. You get a real feel for not only the sound but the cadence, etc. Don't know if anyone else here has tried these CDs . . . I found them at the local performing arts library, so you may be able to find them that way (free = good), or check out www.dialectresource.com/

I also think the suggestion to check out tv shows & films is great!

mcm · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:07 am Post subject:

Good resources mentioned in this thread.

ccpetersen · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:52 am Post subject:

Ray,

But, can you do a British dog barking? And, from which area? Nine'll get you ten somebody might need that someday ... Smile

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RayAnime · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:23 am Post subject:

Dear client,

If you're tired of second rate voice talents who only offer such vagaries as "English" sheepdog, then you've come to the right place. From RP corgi (if they've been living with the royals they must have lost that Welsh accent long ago) to lancashire shepherd to Dublin setter or even a "scottie" who's picked up a liverpudlian lilt, your search for region-specific dog barking is over.

I take cash and paypal.

louzucaro · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:44 am Post subject:

Dear Ray,

Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, we cannot pay via cash (you're on the NTSC system and our cash only works in PAL for the moment until we upgrade our accounting system to HD) or PayPal (we use PayMate).

However, if you can accept payment in crumpets, bangers & mash or a nice rocket salad with roasted aubergines, then please let us know. Also, inclusion on your portfolio and much more (non-guaranteed) work to come should also be considered (by you) as bonuses.

The Client

dhouston67 · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject:

I haven't been to the Critique forum in way too long. An invoice to Philip for one side, split.

I'd like a dram, myself. Actually, several, as a dram's pretty small.

James, I'm here to tell you that gaining facility with accents can pay off.

An accent always gains authenticity when it's applied on top of acting skills, not below them. In other words, know who your character is first, Then decide whether they're from Ruralshire or Scotchland.

Mmmm....the land of Scotch.
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