Fake Accents

[3113]

There are 'name' actors with the right accent - why not use *them*???

Money (for example, the name Aussie or British or American actors you want are too expensive), avaliblity (Sorry, Mate, got a bigger film lined up. No time for you), sometimes, depending on country of origin, there are union rules. I love to watch Dr. Who, but often when they try to take the Doctor to an American City, the English actors botch the American accent (you know they're trying too hard). Why not use American actors? As I understand it, the rules for acting on television in Britain are a little complicated. Easier to use British actors faking the American accent.

Remember that in America, at least, you're not likely to get financing unless a name is attatched to the project. So you use the American movie star and hope that the vocal coach can give them a descent British accent (or vice versa) because otherwise no one will give you the money and the thing won't get made at all.

 

[Vermilion]

We watched 'The Importance of Being Ernest' last night...a delightfully eccentric Oscar Wilde favourite, full of complete stereotypes of upper class, Victorian Brits...with Colin Firth, Rupert Everett and Dame Judy Dench playing lead roles. Perfect.

Then we have the actress playing the ward of Mr. John Worthing (Colin Firth)....and who do they choose? Reese Witherspoon!!!

Why, for the love of god. Why????

I enjoy watching Ms. Witherspoon in many films but she is *truly* diabolical in that one. Heinous casting decision.
x
V

 

[Vermilion]

Money (for example, the name Aussie or British or American actors you want are too expensive), avaliblity (Sorry, Mate, got a bigger film lined up. No time for you), sometimes, depending on country of origin, there are union rules. I love to watch Dr. Who, but often when they try to take the Doctor to an American City, the English actors botch the American accent (you know they're trying too hard). Why not use American actors? As I understand it, the rules for acting on television in Britain are a little complicated. Easier to use British actors faking the American accent.

Remember that in America, at least, you're not likely to get financing unless a name is attatched to the project. So you use the American movie star and hope that the vocal coach can give them a descent British accent (or vice versa) because otherwise no one will give you the money and the thing won't get made at all.

I think we should confine this mostly to film. TV is different and I, personally, am prepared to stretch my belief a little (though I will still make rude comments) to accommodate extras and bit parts on television with iffy accents, as with Dr. Who. There are monetary restrictions, time restrictions and the whole thing is founded on a basis of slightly wobbly sets, if you follow me
x
V

 

[CharleyH]

We watched 'The Importance of Being Ernest' last night...a delightfully eccentric Oscar Wilde favourite, full of complete stereotypes of upper class, Victorian Brits...with Colin Firth, Rupert Everett and Dame Judy Dench playing lead roles. Perfect.

Then we have the actress playing the ward of Mr. John Worthing (Colin Firth)....and who do they choose? Reese Witherspoon!!!

Why, for the love of god. Why????

I am by no means British (and frankly don't know why Europeans outside Britain think I am and THEY DO THINK I AM). Mat? First a movie needs a star. Second? I think it is most difficult to do ANY BRIT ACCENT. What you have in London alone is dozens of accents so refined that a Londoner can tell WHERE you come from in the city down to the crossroads alone. I believe it is easiest for a Brit or Ozzie to do an American accent than for an American to do a Brit one.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Winnona Ryder doing a Brit accent in Dracula....made my ears bleed.

 

[matriarch]

I am by no means British (and frankly don't know why Europeans outside Britain think I am and THEY DO THINK I AM). Mat? First a movie needs a star. Second? I think it is most difficult to do ANY BRIT ACCENT. What you have in London alone is dozens of accents so refined that a Londoner can tell WHERE you come from in the city down to the crossroads alone. I believe it is easiest for a Brit or Ozzie to do an American accent than for an American to do a Brit one.

A star?
I think Dame Judy Dench qualifies for that title, both sides of the Atlantic.

 

[Grushenka]

Winnona Ryder doing a Brit accent in Dracula....made my ears bleed.

Even worse: her scenes with Keanu Reeves doing a more pitiful British accent (sounded like Brit-Valley Girl).

 

[CharleyH]

A star?
I think Dame Judy Dench qualifies for that title, both sides of the Atlantic.

Indeed, but I have never heard her Brooklyn accent!

 

[CharleyH]

Even worse: her scenes with Keanu Reeves doing a more pitiful British accent (sounded like Brit-Valley Girl).

No - it was Keanu. Every other Brit accent we (We (theatre and film people) went in University as a group to see this film) could believe her accent. BUT WHEN KEANU came on screen? ROFLOL - we all broke into hysterics! He ruined the whole film.

 

[hmmnmm]

-------

 

[Vermilion]

No - it was Keanu. Every other Brit accent we (We (theatre and film people) went in University as a group to see this film) could believe her accent. BUT WHEN KEANU came on screen? ROFLOL - we all broke into hysterics! He ruined the whole film.

seconded.

 

[CharleyH]

seconded.

Thank you, V.

 

[buxxxom]

What bothers me the most is when they equate "southern" with stupid. I know I don't sound like most southerners are portrayed, and no one I know sounds like that, and I've lived all my life in North Carolina. The only exception being the fact that the evening news picks absolutely the most pitiful person to comment on any newsworthy event. Perhaps that is where Hollywood is hearing the southern accent they try do hard to reproduce.

 

[Just-Legal]

I've heard that a southern accent is one of the toughest to fake. I don't know how true that is, though.

As was already addressed in another thread, there are so many different southern accents, and unfortunately, many people think they are homogeneous. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I went to Oklahoma for a three week vacation a few years ago, staying with friends. Came home with a Southern drawl so strong even the *locals* thought I lived there.

It can be done, its just a case of immersion, and good mimicry. Apparently I have that

 

[Nookiehunter]

What bothers me the most is when they equate "southern" with stupid. I know I don't sound like most southerners are portrayed, and no one I know sounds like that, and I've lived all my life in North Carolina. The only exception being the fact that the evening news picks absolutely the most pitiful person to comment on any newsworthy event. Perhaps that is where Hollywood is hearing the southern accent they try do hard to reproduce.

I completely agree with you. Listening to some yankee try to develop a fake southern accent is insulting. They almost always do a bad job of it.

Nookiehunter

 

[Sherry Hawk]

What bothers me the most is when they equate "southern" with stupid.

AMEN.

 

[Sherry Hawk]

I went to Oklahoma for a three week vacation a few years ago, staying with friends. Came home with a Southern drawl so strong even the *locals* thought I lived there.

It can be done, its just a case of immersion, and good mimicry. Apparently I have that

pssst...Oklahoma isn't southern.

I know what you mean, though.

 

[lonelyinsnowlan]

The worse movie accent I can think of is Leo DeCaprio in... what was it... Blood Diamond, or something like that. I couldn't actually see the movie because the previews alone gave me seizures just listening to him. I still have no clue what accent he was trying to put on.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

No matter what anyone else thinks... John Wayne's performance as Gengis Kahn was the absolut worst accent EVER!!!!!!!!!!!


"Alright, you hoard. Circle the wagons and per-teckt the wimmen, Pilgrams."

 

[CeriseNoire]

The worse movie accent I can think of is Leo DeCaprio in... what was it... Blood Diamond, or something like that. I couldn't actually see the movie because the previews alone gave me seizures just listening to him. I still have no clue what accent he was trying to put on.

It was an Afrikaner' s accent. He actually sounded pretty close to the very few I've met.

As for me, I have to admit I've been known to ham up my own accent for added exoticism once or twice.

 

[Just-Legal]

pssst...Oklahoma isn't southern.

I know what you mean, though.

Bah close enough. I'm a brit and came back with one heck of an accent.

 

[Grushenka]

Bah close enough. I'm a brit and came back with one heck of an accent.

Sorry, but that won't cut it here. Your statement's like saying a Cockney accent is 'close enough' to a northerner's (northern England I mean). I've English friends who laugh at what Americans perceive as non-posh accents, usually amalgamating a number of very distinct dialects.

 

[lonelyinsnowlan]

It was an Afrikaner' s accent. He actually sounded pretty close to the very few I've met.

As for me, I have to admit I've been known to ham up my own accent for added exoticism once or twice.

THAT'S what it was supposed to be? Not even close to the Afrikaner I went to college with. Yikes.

 

[CeriseNoire]

THAT'S what it was supposed to be? Not even close to the Afrikaner I went to college with. Yikes.

I suppose there are variation there like anywhere else. I've only met 3 or 4 back in my college days, and he sounded just like one of the three. Or maybe I'm biased since I loved the movie.

 

[bluebell]

Speaking of accents, anyone see Joss Stone at the Brit Awards? so annoying

Holy hell, I thought I was the only person who got annoyed by her. I mean, since everyone else seems to love her.
I don't have to see her, I just think about her and I'm instantly rankled. My skin itches.

Would also like to contribute (for annoying accent purposes):

- Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump
- Almost the whole cast of Cold Mountain
- Jamie Foxx in Ray (I tried, really- I tried so hard to appreciate it)
- Michelle Williams in Brokeback Mountain. Also, Me Without You- where she faked such a bad British accent she should have been put on Movie Probation.

For jobs well-done:

- Ryan Philippe in Gosford Park. Even though I think he's an idiot, I admire that accent he pulled off. Must have bribed satan.
- Naomi Watts' American accent is actually really good (Mulholland Drive).

Blast. I can't remember any more right now.