KSENIA SOLO

Nylon Magazine’s Young Hollywood Issue named Ksenia Solo as one of the Faces of the Future…and her future is NOW.

A lot of talent is bubbling up in this package called Ksenia. In 2005 and 2006, she won Gemini Awards (Canadian Emmy Awards) for her performance as Zoey Jones in the TV show, RenegradePress.com. Since then, she has propelled forward at lightning speed.

She played Natasha Siviac on the CW’s hit, Life Unexpected, and co-stars as Kenzi on Showcase’s supernatural mystery/thriller/crime show, Lost Girl.

The big WOW is her stunning performance as Veronica in the film, Black Swan, opposite Oscar winner, Natalie Portman. In Black Swan, Ksenia plays Natalie Portman’s nemesis, a wonderful yet demanding role, indeed. This super talent had no double for her dance numbers, that is how devoted and fabulous she is.

This actress/dancer strives and succeeds at being the best she can be. And here is where I factor in.

On Lost Girl, Ksenia’s character was to go undercover as a Venezuelan. Born in Latvia, Ksenia speaks with a standard American accent, as she has lived in Canada and the USA for a long time. But she can use a Latvian accent if she needs it for a role. This is the bonus of having accents in her life, she can go back and forth with ease.

She wanted to have an authentic Venezuelan accent, so she called me. We borrowed some of her native Latvian sounds for the Venezuelan accent. We worked via Skype to get just the right sounds and attitude.

Here is what Ksenia said…

In my fifteen years of being in this business, I worked with many dialect coaches, on set and off. I can honestly say that after meeting Claudette Roche and working with her on my television series – she is simply THE BEST.

Her teaching method is very special – I don’t know how she does it, but the rate at which I progress with her is astounding. She is my greatest secret weapon with any needed accent/dialect. I feel extremely lucky to have found her! Thank you, Claudette!’

Ah, our collaboration was a success. I knew she would be amazing. I cannot wait to see what is next for this tremendously talented young woman.

In 2011, watch for Ksenia in the soon-to-be-released feature film, The Factory, with the fabulous John Cusack. And she will be starring in Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment’s new pilot, Locke and Key for FOX directed by Mark Romanek and written by Josh Friedman of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Ksenia’s co-star is the super talented, Nick Stahl.

See, her future is NOW.

Ksenia Solo is represented by Buchwald Talent Group in Los Angeles and Kirk Talent Agencies in Vancouver, Canada.

CANADIAN ACTRESS LYNN GRIFFITH

Lynn Griffith needed to Americanize her accent. Our inspiration was Phylicia Rashad, whose accent and voice sounds like smooth, warm cognac and melting chocolate.

Lynn has lived in Los Angeles for a long time but still retained much of her Canadian accent. She decided that she needed to have a more American sound as an actress. We worked on two American accents and we are adding two more, a Jamaican accent and an English accent, so she will be prepared for all the opportunities that come her way.

Lynn wrote,

“I have known Claudette for many years. I might be risking my life if I told you how many!

It is so wonderful to watch her experience the joy of teaching. And not just the actual ‘accent’ part of it. I learned one of the most important lessons in the art of acting from her in my first session. 

She passed on that every accent has its own rhythm and soul. It comes with a physical behavior as well as a psychological component. To be truly authentic, you must bring all of the parts together. An accent ups the allowance for endless creativity. It is a scrumptious tool to have as an actor. 

I am going to Americanize that “about” if it’s the last thing I do!”

Lynn Griffith is represented by Susan Nathe and Associates in Los Angeles.

(Green Card Day, Finding God In The City Of Angels, High Stakes)

I don’t know what I’d do without Claudette From the moment you start working with this so talented and generous woman, she instills in you the confidence that you have what it takes and can achieve great results if you apply yourself. Claudette is excellent at pinpointing the little things and fine-tuning them until it makes all the difference. Working with Claudette is always a joy. She makes you laugh and relax and learn at the same time. With Claudette’s help I’m able to do different dialects for my projects and auditions. A truly gifted coach and amazing woman. I’m so grateful we met.

A mutual friend and student in Cape Town, South Africa referred Francis Chouler to me. Francis had an audition for a major feature film. He needed to sound English (British) with a one hour Skype lesson with me. And he did it. He was brilliant. I was most proud of him.

Two weeks later, this super talented actor contacted me again. Francis needed to sound American for another feature film. But this time he did not have the luxury of a script. This was to be an interview. No lines to rely on. He had to be fluent in the accent 100%.

Here is Francis’ account of his audition.

“Hey Claudette, casting went so well today! The casting directors said, ‘Really good accent’ a number of times after the intro and after the reading. I was so proud They even asked where I was from and where I studied. I said I worked with a very good coach from LA .

I was the only actor fully in accent from the minute I walked in till I finished. And although it was weird as I knew the other auditionees, it really paid off. “

…At this point, the casting directors realized Francis’ mastery of the American accent, they handed him a scene….

“I got to read for a pivotal role which was awesome, in a scene opposite the lead character. I was there early, had a good 30 minutes to prepare, so was off book. The accent felt completely natural. Wasn’t even thinking about it. So happy!”

Earlier this year, Francis landed the much sought after lead role in the feature film Crook, directed by Mohit Suri and co-starring Bollywood stars Emraan Hashmi and Ajan Bajwa.

Francis impressed Bollywood producers Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt with his flawless Australian accent, intense characterization and bad-boy looks.

Shot in South Africa and Mumbai, India, Francis plays an Australian working class college drop-out turned street gang leader. This action packed movie is based on real life events surrounding violent racist attacks on Indians that have been taking place in Melbourne, Australia.

The film is scheduled for an international theatrical release and premieres in India in October.

Have a look at the trailer for Crook.

Francis is represented by Samantha Bernhardi Artists Management. I predict a great career for this actor.

Born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, strikingly handsome and hilarious, Devin Torres needed to learn a neutral Standard American accent. He was finding his own beautiful Southern accent limiting and more and more features are shooting in Louisiana, particularly Shreveport/New Orleans where he now lives. Both his agent and acting teacher suggested that he broaden his scope. This actor listened. This actor responded…and fast. He called me.

Though scheduled for 6 classes, after 2 hours of Skype classes, Devin wrote this, “My acting teacher noticed a change in my accent. So kudos to you!!!”

In reality, kudos to us. He practiced, used his accent every day, as best he could.

Devin’s agent then confidently submitted him on auditions that required a neutral American accent. He booked the jobs! 5 film roles. Impressive, I’d say.

His financial investment in his career, in his accent classes reaped rewards.

Devin landed the lead role of White Owl “Buck” Oncona in Secrets of the Red Fern, the prequel to the heartwarming Where The Red Fern Grows. He was challenged with note not only using his new accent, he also had to speak a few lines in Cherokee. Even more impressive, you must admit.

Devin wrote this interesting note to me about another film.

“…they were very particular about accent. They wanted a good neutral accent because this film will be shown in many different countries. First day on set, I started my dialogue and of course I’m very nervous. When I’m nervous I tend to have a thicker accent. Fast forward two hours. We are still working on the first scene as the director was being particular about my every word. I finally got so fed up and exhausted of doing the scene and just mustered up the best SAA(Standard American Accent) I could possibly do. It worked. The director later told me that this was a tactic he used for regional talent to get a perfect accent on the first day to be used throughout the project.”

Devin’s a wise actor. Many of the best acting gurus suggest that before you leap in the world of Hollywood, build up your resume with local film, television and theater. Get the credits and experience where it’s easiest for you. Devin is a working actor in his home state and if he chooses to come west, he’ll be ready to be a working actor in Tinsel Town. It’s all in his control.

Devin Torres is represented by Jeffery Nightbyrd with Acclaim Talent/Dan Agency.

Australian student, actress, Claudia Cimino, was critiqued on her American accent by über fabulous casting director, Gary Zuckerbrod (Pulp Fiction, Without A Trace, Live Nude Girls and President of the Casting Society of America). Gary is conducting a workshop in Sydney, Australia at the prestigious AIPA (Australian Institute for the Performing Arts).

Gary’s opinion of my student’s American accent was that it was “flawless’. Needless to say, Claudia Cimino is extremely happy, as am I.

This is critical step one achieved toward Claudia’s triumphant return to Los Angeles and a wonderful career as an actress.

Stay tuned, she’s awesome.

Claudia Cimino Website
http://claudiacimino.com/



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