For the past 11 years of teaching the American Dialect in Australia, what really caught my attention as a big mistake most people make across the board, is that they mean to give the accent a particular 'voice'.
Most of them come to think that American accent is something that requires a nasal twang to it, something which is very bright and chirpy. Something similar to accent of Desperate Housewives or Tom Cruise and the like. Versions of that accent apparently exist but it is a bit hasty to think that is the extent of the American accent.
It is a natural train of thought - we think of an accent and we fit it with a tonal quality, a particular register in pitch and a character. I'm even guilty of it myself. When I do an English accent my mind automatically pulls up a throaty, deep smooth sound.
Why this can become a real issue? Simply because it is not authentic to you. And not only is it not authentic, you are now also not capable to sort out your character with a clean slate. You have already pigeon-holed it. But you can always try approaching your character in its wholeness and don't give the accent the character before you've even started. If after doing some work on your character, you find out that the character DOES need a twangy, nasal American accent then that's a go-signal for you. Go for it. But you know that you came to it from a rounded point of view.
On the other hand, if you find yourself on set working with a new accent,here are few tips you should definitely consider:
1.Tongue and Lips Exercise. You should roll your tongue and lips in between each take to help keep those muscles relaxed because once they start to fatigue- and they will- it's hard to get them back.
2. Know what to look for in yourself.are the sounds becoming more difficult to navigate in the mouth? Is your tongue getting thick? Are you stumbling over sounds that were easy earlier on? These signs means you are worn out. It is advised you take a 5-minute break, if it's possible, and take in something that will bring your blood sugar back up.
But if you don't, you'll continue having the endless takes because your accent isn't that solid. As your exhaustion continues, your accent will most likely continue to decrease in quality. So without a recharge or even the awareness that you need one, you're essentially shooting yourself in the foot.
Now, the next topic will tackle about using the right tone depending on WHO your audience will be, which is dependent on what 'version' of the accent you use. The natural and not forced sounds is one approach in teaching that I prefer but that may not read well to some audiences. There are a number of audiences (ironically not American) that may think that the actor's accent is appalling, barely noticeable at all.
And if you're one actor that is working for an American audience, however, it'd be just fine. Like you, your audience may have a pre-conceived notion of what the accent should sound like. So, know your audience and the expectations they have from your accent.
Paige Walker specializes in The American Accent for the performers. Her expertise has taken her from the film set to assisting during US castings through to private consultations. Her 15 years of American Dialect coaching has lead her to teach at leading training institutes around the world such as Douglas Anderson School of Arts in the US, Sydney's On Camera Connections and Outta The Box and The Biz Of Showbiz.For more tips on American Accent for Actors visit americanaccentforactors.com.au
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