Claudette Roche - The Accent Coach, Accent/Dialect Coach, Foreign Accents, Accent Reduction » Actor

Jason Henning

admin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:58:56 +0000

(3:10 To Yuma, Swing Vote, Juno And The Paycock)

“Hey P.J., just wanted to let you know we got the part! I’ll be playing Albrecht Richter in Peace In Out Time with The Antaeus Company opening October 20 (or so). So, thanks so much for your help. I may be in touch for another pass through.

Daniel Fathers

admin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:56:55 +0000

(Flashpoint, Combat Hospital, Know It All)

Recently, I was on set in Toronto, Canada shooting ABC’s Combat Hospital, as well as CBS’s Flashpoint and was asked to self tape for a project out west using a Norwegian Accent. After I got off set, I worked with P.J. Ochlan for the first time, on the telephone, trans-coastal at 10:00pm at night for an hour. We managed to hone in on Core Essence of the Norwegian accent, which provided the Defining Attributes that made my character credible. It was a great experience working with P.J.! Thanks, Mate!

How to hit the ground running

Claudette Roche — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:48:52 +0000

[ idiom ]
definition: Get off to a brisk and successful start

If I could scream from the highest building to every new or aspiring actor I’d yell, “READ CAROLYNE BARRY’S BOOK BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, EVEN BEFORE YOU HAVE THAT SECOND CUP OF COFFEE, кофе, CAFFÈ OR 咖啡 ”
Carolyne Barry and her book are key for a solid acting career with a strong foundation.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING is the most comprehensive “How To” book on
the market for the new actor. It offers a definitive step-by-step plan that new actors
desperately need to establish the groundwork and create the path to their career. With its realistic information, you will truly be prepared to HIT THE GROUND RUNNING in the competitive world of professional acting.

Carolyne is the primary author of HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. She incorporates opinions and suggestions from an array of other successful, knowledgeable and highly respected industry professionals.

Just a small selection of topics included in HIT THE GROUND RUNNING are:

         • Academic versus Professional training
         • Moving to a major entertainment market.
         • Understanding the different types of training
         • Which classes should be done in combination
         • When to take specialization classes
         • How to select workshops and teachers
         • Costs of being an actor
         • Best jobs for actors
         • Discovering your “type” and learning how to package and market it
         • When and how to start looking for entry-level acting work
         • Choosing a photographer
         • Creating a resume
         • Tips and techniques for Commercial and Theatrical auditions

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING is sold at Samuel French and several small bookstores in Los Angeles and at the Drama Book Shop in New York. It’s available on Kindle at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Models Mart and Breakdown. And it’s also for sale on www.hitthegroundrunningbook.com .

This is no average actor’s guide, it is listed in the Education Theatre Association catalogue for all the high school, college and university theatre arts students. And is required reading for the graduating theatre arts students at UNLV, USM and the University of North Colorado.

Carolyne has performed in over 400 national television commercials, thirty-two theatrical productions and approximately one hundred television shows and movies. She has plenty of personal experience to bring to her teaching.

The Carolyne Barry Workshops is one of the most successful independent full training programs in Hollywood. Carolyne has trained thousands of professional actors. Recommended by agents, casting directors, and former students, Carolyne is recognized as one of the top Commercial Audition teachers. In 2009, she was the winner of Back Stage West’s Favorite Commercial Teacher in Los Angeles.

As a working Casting Director, Carolyne has done commercial casting for numerous top directors and advertising agencies. She has cast more than 600 national and regional commercial campaigns.

On accents, Carolyne recommends actors learn a standard American accent before beginning training with her. Without a neutral accent, your booking possibility is diminished.

Carolyne Barry is simply the best in her field. I’m proud to have her on my team.

http://www.carolynebarry.com/workshops.html

P.J. Ochlan joins The Accent Coach!

Claudette Roche — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:55:30 +0000

“He’s a wonderful actor. He can [do] the accents and the whole thing.”

Jodie Foster

“One of my favorite characters…one of the real treasures…”

Roger Ebert

P.J. uses the techniques that I use which are focused completely on how the individual student learns. I have developed a strong and quick process for accent learning which encompasses the spelling out of new sounds sometimes derived from your natural accent. And P.J. uses IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) if that is more comfortable for you, whatever elicits the right sounds.

P.J. was born in Long Island, New York to Italian American parents and like me, was surrounded by many cultures in his neighborhood. He speaks German, has a good command of French (2 years of French Intensive at UCLA) and is learning Mandarin, so his aptitude for foreign sounds is extensive.

As an actor, P.J. has worked under directing legends that include Jodie Foster, Garry Marshall and Tommy Schlamme, producing icons including Scott Rudin, David E. Kelley, Brian Grazer, Carsey/Werner and Aaron Spelling, and for every major studio and network.

Among P.J.’s big screen achievements are several notable films including the role of Damon Wells in Little Man Tate, for which he was submitted for an Academy Award nomination.

On television, P.J.’s been a four-time series regular, along with guest and recurring appearances on numerous other top shows, resulting in several network submissions for Emmy nominations.

He’s also done over 30 national commercials and many voiceovers for which his skill at accents was a big plus.

P.J.‘s stage highlights include a Broadway production nominated for three Tony Awards and a critically acclaimed performance in Joseph Papp’s historic New York Shakespeare Festival.

On radio, P.J. currently serves as an on-air personality and Creative Director for several stations, where his extensive voice work includes several regular shows and features.

Among the other hats stacked up in P.J.’s career closet are stand-up comedy (including headline engagements at L.A.’s legendary Comedy Store), sketch comedy, hosting, writing and directing for both stage and screen. He also has frequent speaking engagements and serves as an announcer and emcee for special events and arts organizations.

Member of:

ATAS (Academy of Television Arts & Sciences)
SAG (Screen Actors Guild)
AFTRA (American Federation of Television & Radio Artists)
AEA (Actors Equity Association)

Respect for Accents

Claudette Roche — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:22:15 +0000

Respect [ riˈspekt ] – noun
1) Ali G’s favorite word
2) due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others

I was watching a popular TV show a few months ago. This particular episode was set on the Caribbean island of Haiti with American actors playing Haitians. I hadn’t worked with them and was interested to hear their accents, so I tuned in.

I sat, I watched, I was saddened. Not one of the actors had a Haitian accent. Instead, they’d opted for a West African sound which is obviously nothing like Haitian. French is the official language of this island nation but no one would know it from these portrayals. No beautiful lilt, no French Rs, no nasal vowels, rien de tout (nothing at all).

We are all impressed when we hear foreign actors do flawless American accents; Nicole Kidman (To Die For), Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Hugh Laurie (House) and Idris Elba (Obsessed). And conversely, we know how we feel when they fail at this task. I’ll not mention anyone out of respect.

An actor’s job is to play full and honest characters to the best of their ability. This includes doing proper research. Actors should be as committed as Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond, Don Cheadle in Hotel Rwanda, Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare In Love and Renée Zellwegger in Bridget Jones’s Diary.

If you’re an actor, look at yourself. Look at your look. What roles could you be called in for? Be ready. Don’t wait and give a “close enough” accent.

Respect your audience. Respect your craft. Respect yourself.