Comments for Pamela Vanderway's Dialect 411

Comment on Got A Question? by Pamela Vanderway

Pamela Vanderway — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:45:38 +0000

Scott, In a case like this the best thing to do is to look at the sides for subtle clues within the language used or the via the function of the character. For instance, does the character seem working class? That rules out sounding like Prince Charles… I have to be candid and say that this level of script analysis requires a high level of interpretive skill as well as extensive experience with the expectations of the Entertainment Industry. This is the kind of situation that a skilled dialect consultant can really be of help with. You can either pay them to analyze the sides / breakdown and/or to teach you to find these clues yourself. Depending on the length of the sides, you will be looking at a project that will take between 30 and 60 minutes of time for the consultant to complete. That said, many coaches/consultants have minimum session time requirements for new clients. You can save on fees over time by building an ongoing relationship with a consultant. Despite the potential ‘sticker shock’ I highly recommend this approach. (It is what the actors with shiny golden statues do…) Establishing a professional relationship with a coach / consultant averages around $2,000 and depending upon your willingness to work diligently outside of class sessions, includes mastering the first dialect. (Additional dialects can be learned much more quickly because you will have developed a system of working during the mastering of your first dialect. Figure that you’ll pay around $2,300 your first year with a coach (This includes learning an initial dialect, having them help you with subsequent audition prep throughout the year, and dialect tune-ups). If you add a second dialect the following year, budget around $1,200-$1,500 for the same services (and if you don’t add a new dialect, budget $400. You may not use it all, but you can always apply it to learning a new dialect down the road). — Joy to you, — Pamela Vanderway dialect411@gmail.com

Comment on Got A Question? by Pamela Vanderway

Pamela Vanderway — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 18:20:34 +0000

To my knowledge there is not a complete commercial product available for this particular dialect. This dialect is mentioned in Robert Blumenfeld’s book ‘Accents a Manual for Actors’ but it’s only briefly covered. Your best course of action may be to hire a coach to perform the research for you and to follow through with the coaching you’ll require.

Comment on Got A Question? by L

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 18:16:08 +0000

Thanks very much! I was looking for more of an easy solution, along the lines of what Jerry Blunt does in his old dialects for te stage books. More clear substitutions for common sounds, with a breakdown of vowels and consonants

Comment on Got A Question? by Pamela Vanderway

Pamela Vanderway — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 03:30:33 +0000

Lina-

This Wikipedia Swedish Phonology article should give you the IPA info you are seeking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_phonology

Enjoy!

-Pamela

Comment on Got A Question? by lina

lina — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:45:09 +0000

Hi Pamela,
I’ve been asked to do a Swedish accent, and have been unsuccessfully scouring the internet looking for an I.P.A translation of Swedish sounds into English. Do you have any suggestions?
Much appreciated,
LR

Comment on Got A Question? by Pamela Vanderway

Pamela Vanderway — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:31:17 +0000

That’s a great question, Scott! Sometimes clients have not honed in on exactly what they are looking for and are using the ‘We’ll know it when we see it’ approach. They also may simply not be aware that they are omitting important actor information in the breakdown. My advice in cases such as this is to first look at the sides carefully for clues. Can you tell what the function of your character is from the text you have been provided? Does the character seem to be sympathetic? Unsympathetic? Truthful? Deceitful? Educated? Uneducated? Affluent? Destitute? Aggressive? Passive? (etc.) Any of these tiny clues can help steer you in the right direction dialect-wise. A second layer to this process is to take into account your own personal brand (some call it ‘essence’ or your ‘it factor’ etc.) If you take a good look at the body of work you have done, as well as the auditions you’ve been called in for you will begin to see patterns pertaining to specific character types and traits. For instance, if you happen to be an actor who is most often called in to play rural, deceitful, uneducated characters and the sides / breakdown for your current audition seem to be in line with those traits, you will most likely want to make sure that your accent blends well with these other components.
Joy to you,
Pamela Vanderway

Comment on Got A Question? by Scott J. Smith

Scott J. Smith — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:11:36 +0000

When a client requests a “British Accent” (with no geographic cues in the breakdown), which dialect gives an actor the best opportunity to book?

Comment on Speech Class: Vowels and Consonants by Ann S. Utterback

Ann S. Utterback — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:11:41 +0000

Pamela–I love how you explain this! BTW I never thought I’d find someone who is as crazy about the IPA as I am :). Ann Utterback

Comment on Cold Reading in a Dialect by Pamela Vanderway

Pamela Vanderway — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:25:43 +0000

I like the way you phrase that, Sarah! (“I don’t have a lot of experience with this dialect but I would love to give it a shot”)

Comment on Cold Reading in a Dialect by Sarah Taylor

Sarah Taylor — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:00:37 +0000

Great advice! Thank you for this.

I would go for the “middle way” if I haven’t previously mastered the dialect. Maybe saying: “I don’t have a lot of experience with this dialect but I would love to give it a shot”. Let’s them know I know my skill level but that I’m willing to dive in!

I love the idea of recording oneself right there. Very helpful.