Accent / Schmack-cent

I hate it when actors affect an accent without studying the language.  "Is it passable?" seems to be the theatrical mojo these days.  I think it is a reflection of our general attitude in the United States about other cultures.  Actors bastardize the dialects of other countries (and their own) because they are too lazy to do solid character work.  It drives me crazy.  For years, I have wanted to throw things at directors who suggest using an accent when they don't have an answer to a theatrical problem.  Don't know what to do with a character?  Try an accent!  Scene isn't funny enough?  Add an accent!  Script is boring?  Yep, an accent!   

Maybe this is just my insecurity talking, because I am horrrrrible at picking up accents quickly.  I dread last minute auditions that call for a specific dialect.  My friend, Louisiana Mary, has saved me numerous times by murmuring lines onto my voice mail in her sweet southern drawl.   And every time I'm asked to do an accent, I kick myself for not studying up earlier.  And then I pray that the casting director won't fall over laughing.  I can't help it.  I'm a perfectionist.

In such situations, the casting director usually instructs you to do what you can; that it's not necessary to have a perfect accent just yet.  If you book the job, then they'll worry about it.  But let's be real.  If you're doing a movie, fine.  You'll have time for a dialect coach to make you brilliant.  If you're auditioning for an "under five" on a television show, there just isn't time.  You need to show the producers that you can do it at the audition, or they will find somebody that can.  It's that simple. 

I spend too many hours a day driving around Los Angeles in my car.  It's time to do something useful with that time.  Sorry, Kanye West CD.  Goodbye, Ryan Seacrest & Kiss FM.  I've finally collected a smattering of accent CDs that include Irish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Scottish, English, and Southern dialects.  I've burned them onto three CDs and I'm going to get to work.  No more excuses. 

I'm opening a show is three weeks that calls for a southern accent.  We only get ten rehearsals.  Louisiana Mary, HELP!

(Photo by CM Gonzalez and featuring the lovely Jaime Andrews)

--Stacey Jackson

Comments

[susan]

I loooove using dialetcs and am a perfectionist about it, too. I've worked a few times on stage with British & Irish accents and I always keep fresh when doing a show by listening to my tapes - and it bothers me when others don't! Last spring when I had to do a Polish accent, a friend told me about this site: http://web.ku.edu/idea/ where I downloaded 2 samples onto my ipod and listened to them daily. It's a fantastic resource.

[JimTodd]

Good for you! I'm going to take a course in dialects soon.

[Stacey Jackson]

Oh that is awesome! Thanks for the resource. I will definitely check that out.

[Ming Ming]

you rock in my book for caring about your craft. and because you care, you've already set yourself above the masses. you will be brilliant!
your director should hire a coach for the cast. if that can't happen, maybe look into even just one private session for yourself. bring your digital recorded - you can get great cheap ones at Staples) and you'll have it for the future.
thank god for actors like you who know that IT MATTERS!